Re: [Leica] Aesthetics vs. Function

["Michael E. Bérubé" <MEB@goodphotos.com>]

At 06:02 AM 3/20/01 -0800, Dennis Painter wrote of Leica's production of 
the M5:
>If they did 'get their lunch handed to them' don't you think it was because
>they were not in tune with what their customers wanted?  This is basic, you
>listen to your customers, build what they want and try  to put in features 
>they
>didn't expect but which delight them.

Sure. The M5 was a radical shift aesthetically from the M4. It takes 
getting used to when all your life you've been taught that the design of 
the M3/4 is what a Leica should look like. If they had managed to make all 
of the improvements that the M5 offered and still keep the same shape of 
the M4 (and that Red Dot!), the M5 would probably be in production. The M5 
is the classic study in function over aesthetics. Even today, once you get 
used to the extra size and different shape I think most users of the M5 
would agree that it is a far better camera than the M6. (It seems you 
either LOVE the 5 or hate it depending on how used to a 6 you are.) The M5 
simply offers more options that make shooting more enjoyable while 
minimizing the new plastic parts and that TTL flash and blinking light 
silliness with its hungry circuitry. Were money not an option, I'd have 
kept mine for life, but of course it is always a personal choice.

Carpe Luminem,
Michael