Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/04/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]LUG, I agree with Eric's comments that we'll probably never see a true AF "M" series. It's just not like them to stray that far from their roots. Their "point-n-shoot" cameras have shown them there's a market niche there but the true "M" Leica-phile won't go for an AF version. And yes, assuming it would be "M" lens compatible, the body would be huge by today's M-6 model and that's just not consistent wiht Leica's philosophy. In the "R" version, there is enough technology and groundwork (grunwerke?) laid by others (read that "Minolta") to make an autofocus model viable. And.....I think they can see the Contax G-1 hasn't exactly set the world on fire so why repeat a failure? The biggest "flop" to date has been the excellent, chunky M-5. Look at how it's value has taken off!!! Don't look for the Leica "M" to risk it's lofty prestige as one of the world's finest photographic systems. They've got a goose still laying copious amounts of golden eggs so why fix something that ain't broke? Regards, Tom Hodge On Sun, 21 Apr 1996, Eric Welch wrote: > At 05:50 PM 4/21/96 -0700, you wrote: > > >>Where the Contax does provide a valuable pointer is in the future for an > >>autofocus Leica fully compatible with the M > >>system. Remove the need to move a viewing system, and only the film plane > >>and shutter need to shunt. For technical > > I don't think the Leica M will ever go that way. Remember the cool reception > of the M5? It was partly due to size. If they were to add this system to the > M camera, it would be HUGE! Have you seen pictures of the AX? It's bigger > than the RTSIII. Even if you don't have to move the mirror and prism, you > have to move the meter as well as shutter and film plane, and you have to > put the rails for the "moveable" parts to move on, driven by an ultrasonic > motor, which will need space too. > > And with an external attachment to focus, the M loses a major advantage over > SLRs, size. I can see this being added to the R series. It's never going to > be added to the M system is my bet. > Eric Welch > Grants Pass Daily Courier > >