[Leica] Re: M8 problems

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Gene, of course the info lifted from a thread on the Leica User Forum was 
posted for interest. I have no personal knowledge of the
facts. Keep in mind that this was an "Echo" magazine interview, not a 
published official Leica statement. Maybe a bit tough to
suggest that it is meant to be deceptive and confusing. It wasn't even 
published in English, by Leica, or claiming to be official
information in any way. Also take into account that the translation is not 
literal. So interpretation of words can easily skew your
perception. Personally I found it fascinating and remember that Herr Doktor 
was quoted as, here I am speculating, or to that effect.

We do know that the DMR has been discontinued. It does seem clear that the 
original production was exhausted and the decision was to
not make a further production run. I had read previously that sensor 
availability was the issue. Those EU regulations were also
blamed for the demise of the XPAN, I think. Whatever the reason, perhaps 
unsurprising as Leica camera moves forward in the digital
marketplace.

Cheers
Hoppy 

-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: M8 problems

His interview seemed more like a deceive and confuse the public exercise, to 
keep everyone guessing.  His motherboard statement was
just that, no fact in it at all, complete deception.

Gene

-------------- Original message from Mark Rabiner <mark@rabinergroup.com>: 
-------------- 


> > Which segues nicely to the speculation rife on the Leica User Forum. 
> > Mmmmm, full format 12MP or 16MP sensor common to a new M and a new R. 
> > aaah 
> > delicious speculation. 
> > 
> > Quoting a translation from an interview with Herr Doktor Andreas 
> > Kaufmann. 
> > I've removed the German quotes for brevity. 
> > "...from within a longer comment: 
> > Quote: 
> > - The center will remain the M, but there will only be 12,000 units per 
> > year. 
> > (He doesn't differentiate between M7 and M8.) 
> > 
> > Will there be an M9? 
> > Quote: 
> > - You're asking for an announcement that we haven't made yet. If you 
> > continue 
> > counting, it would be the logical next step. As 
> > official statement I can't say anything. But imagine this: if you were a 
> > Leica 
> > developer and you found a way - I'm using the 
> > Speculative - to fit a Full-Format sensor, and the crop-factor drops 
> > off, then 
> > you'd do it, wouldn't you? 
> > 
> > So what about the R-line? 
> > Quote: 
> > The R-line is currently effectively shuttered. For the following reason: 
> > the 
> > motherboard does not comply with EU-regulations. We 
> > would have had to reconstruct the entire R9 motherboard for an analog 
> > camera, 
> > that functions hybrid-digitally. 
> > 
> > So will there be something new soon? 
> > Quote: 
> > The logical next step would be the R9 followed by the R10. Of course we 
> > have a 
> > clear commitment to SLR-Cameras. I'm personally of 
> > the opinion that one photographs better with an M, but the market has 
> > decided 
> > otherwise. Apart from that the R-lenses are de facto 
> > some of the best in the world." 
> > 
> > 
> > Here's the interview if you speak German or would like to try your luck 
> > with 
> > Babelfish. 
> > 
> > 
> > Cheers 
> > Hoppy 
> >