Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/08/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Time to check in to keep the rumor mill going: Leica has been very busy designing a new R9 to bring to the marketplace by Jan 2003. It's the size of the R6.2/R7 with electronic shutter, multimode automation and focus confirmation. Motor drive is still an external bolt-on but is a very compact lithium powered device that will run at 8 frames a second. Body is more rounded or molded so that it fits quite nicely in the hands. Not that "too small" or sqaure feel of the R6.2 body. The R9 body seems a little small compared to the large aperture lenses that attach to it. Advancements in miniaturization of coreless motors and circuitry permitted the smaller body without losing the functionality of the R8. Size does matter. It took them much less time to develop this camera than the R8 project. A testament to the design and engineering teams assembled at Leica in Solms. It reminds me when they kept the same body size of the M4 and put a meter in it. Then Leica put an electronic shutter in an M4 sized body. For some reason, the size of Leica bodies has a dramatic effect on the their ability to sell them in adequate quantities. The R9 will stimulate the sale of bodies and lenses for the R system - keeping it going for the quick follow-up release of the R10 that has a digital back. Finally a camera from Solms with a digital soul. Leica needs a new platform for a digital back. This is that platform. Very impressive in my crystal ball. My two cents worth and best guess, Richard Clompus (no connection with Leica/other than a user with a vivid imagination) - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html