Re: [Leica] R state-of-the art?

["adrian bradshaw" <abpeking@public.bta.net.cn>]

John Mcleod wrote

>But after using a Canon EOS1n and Nikon F5 for a while, I am convinced that
>these technologies cause us to photograph differently, and not necessarily
>better,

John - couldn't agree more! If there is one thing that bugs me about the EOS
1n (and most AF cameras for that matter) it is the increased difficulty in
focussing them manually. Having to press buttons and lock on to things just
to get things in focus with the AF is still counter-intuitive and in many
cases counter-productive since I never had a problem focussing manually with
my older SLRs except for certain fast-moving situations.
Now I would also say that the relatively straightforward and simple approach
the Ms and for that matter the Rs dictate has the potential to let you grow
and enjoy more as a photographer: but let us not fall into the trap of
praising Leica for eschewing modernity in the form of AF, electronic
interface etc when it seems pretty obvious that such technologies are beyond
the means of the small niche manufacturer that they are these days. I mean
we had all these apologistic arguments for slow/no motors, slow synch
speeds, few/no zooms, no long fast teles etc etc when Leica failed to keep
up with these developments from Japan and sure enough they appear in the R
line years even decades later and are praised as a good thing when the do.
Making virtue out of a necessity is all well and good when the optics'
quality comes up with something special - but if you need AF to compete with
other sports photgraphers or you need fast wide zooms or a fast bracketing
system well you have to look at other systems than Leicas and that for me is
a pity since I love the lenses but cannot afford to sacrifice the other
technologies to use them at this stage.