[Leica] Why not go semi-automatic?

["Hugh Thompson" <painfree@istar.ca>]

Hello Luggers - this is my first contribution.  Have been observing and
following the trains of discussion with great interest.  My first action was
to find some old silk underwear to use a lens cleaning cloths.  Must say, it
works just great.  Thank you for the advice.

I am subscribing to the LUG to learn what to buy as well as how to use the
M-system.  The latest discussion on changes that Leica should or shouldn't
make to the M-system, and their marketing difficulties, are of particular
interest.

I have just changed from a totally manual N**** to the F3, and love the
aperture priority mode with the stepless shutter speed.  It was particularly
interesting therefore, to follow various comments on the LUG about what
Leica should do in response to the Konica system and other similar systems
which are rumoured to be under development.  It would seem logical that
Leica would recognise the conservatism of its devoted M-system following,
and make a small move towards automation and ease of use, by developing an
aperture priority M body, along the lines of the Konica, but with a stepless
shutter speed.  I am not sure whether the RF is stepless, but for Leica M
users, who demand the precision, it should be a fundamental design
requirement, and, from the comments on the LUG by people who already have
seen and are beginning to use the RF, such a move is what the market wants.

Would appreciate your comments - thanks for listening - Hugh Thompson

painfree@istar.ca or f3er@hotmail.com