[Leica] a "pro-hobbyist" evaluates an M9 . . . ICK

[roark.paul at gmail.com (Paul Roark)]

Bob,

>  The key to Leica being so superb is, in my opinion, the great optics as 
> well AND the beautiful engineering of the lens mount that keeps the lens 
> to sensor distance superbly accurate.
>
> ... I found that the Hasselblad lenses mounted on the 500 series did not 
> have this tolerance capability. ...

I'm skeptical that the current Pentax 645D, which has a sensor that is
only 44 x 33 mm, in combination with the Rollei SL66 lenses and the
third party focusing mount, has the ability to deliver the resolution
that the Leica M optics and mount do.  It might beat the M9, but the
new M cmos may be a different story.

I find that depth of field and the red pixel noise are usually my
limiting factors with the M9.

In weighing the alternatives, the pros and cons of the various near
term options, I can't make any decision until I see what the M cmos
red-filtered corners look like.  Having those amplifiers at the base
of the pixels could be a major improvement, and the increase in MP
doesn't hurt either.  So, I wait and hope the M cmos actually pulls it
off.  If it does, I suspect the Pentax-Rollei alternative will be a
moot issue.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com