RE: [Leica] A Red Dot story

[Guy Bennett <gbennett@lainet.com>]

Sam wrote:
>I have been trying to figure out why folks had such a problem with adding
>something like a higher flash sync to the M6. I understand that they don't
>feel the need for it because they don't use a flash, but then there are a
>lot of features on my F5 that I don't use, but I don't mind if the camera
>has the features.  Why should I care if the camera has functionality that I
>don't use?  The F5 does for me what I want it to, thus I use it and love.  I
>don't moan and groan because it does MORE then I need it to.
[snip]
>Giving the M6 a faster flash sync would not make it require batteries, would
>not give it any auto anything. I do believe a higher flash sync would also
>result in a higher top shutter speed.  In all respects the camera would be
>the exact same as what you non flash photographers are using today, with the
>exception of the cost, it might go up a few hundred.


Sam,

I'm no specialist, but this topic has been discussed many times before and
I seem to recall that the relatively slow high speed and sync speed of the
M are the result of the cloth shutter. In order to have faster shutter
speeds, the current cloth shutter would have to be replaced with a new
shutter that would permit the faster speeds. For many M users (and
apparently for Leica), the quiet, reliable cloth shutter is one of the M's
defining characteristics and using a different shutter would mean changing
the camera more than they would like to, simply to have faster shutter
speeds that, though they might be desired by some, are not truly necessary
to make great pictures with the M.


>I think I have it now why folks are moaning and growing about making the M6
>a better, more modern camera.  As Ted stated, he would not be able to afford
>the new M6, along with the others moaning and groaning.


Here I think you've misread Ted. He was referring, I believe, to those of
us here on the list who habitually find fault with the M. In addition to
bemoaning it's lack of "features," they often complain that it's too
expensive. I think Ted's point was that, should new features be added and
the price increased, they would complain all the more, and we've got plenty
of that already.

I've said this many times before (and here I go again), but I honestly
can't understand the calls for such "improvements" to the M camera as
faster shutter/sync speeds, AE, back loading, auto advance and rewind, etc.
For those of us needing features that the M lacks, but that are available
in hundreds of other cameras, why not just go with the Nikon, Canon,
Konica, or whatever camera that has them, and thus get the tools you
require? The fact that the M is uncluttered by such stuff is the reason
that many of us have chosen to use it in the first place.

If I wanted a camera that could autofocus by following my eyeball, I
wouldn't wait for Leica to add that feature to the M; I'd go out and buy
the Canon that can do it today.

Guy