Re: [Leica] Re: Autofocus & Leica

[D Khong <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

>>One can devote so much more time into
>>composing when one does not have the hassle of calculating exposure,
>>focussing, film speed setting, film loading and rewinding, exposure
>>compensation, flash metering, etc etc etc.

>
>Wait a minute. How do you avoid film loading? 
<snip>
>
>How often do you have to set film speed? This is hardly a burden. 

<snip>
>
>As long as it doesn't take away from the functionality of the camera, or 
>the size, or speed, then I'm fer it. Electronic shutter, great! 
<snip>
>I suspect 
>they're designing a totally new camera, if at all. And from what has been 
>said here on the list before, I'm beginning to doubt that. The future of AF 
>at Leica is the R series.
>
>Eric Welch

While film loading is an essential part of handling any camera, I find that
film loading on my F90 or G2 or even my P&S a breeze compared to my M6.
With the former I always get frame #1 after a short whirrrrrr.  The
baseplate on the M6 is a pain, the flap at the back offers at most a peek,
and when the film is wound I have to consciously eye the rewind knob to
confirm that the film is truly running.  Except for the challenge to my
dexterity everytime I load the M6, and for the supposedly stronger
construction of the M body (as contributed by the baseplate design), I find
the leica M film loading design terribly archaic.

I welcome the DX system as I have a tendency to forget to reset the film
speed on my M6 especially when I change to a different film speed.  It is
so nice to just pop in the film and know that the ISO setting is taken care
of.

Electronic shutters are far far more accurate than the majority of
mechanical shutters. 

I am sure that when Leica goes AF in their SLR series, they will regain a
sizeable market share.

Dan K.