Re: [Leica] Canon AF and today's "auto SLR" experience

[Andrew Moore <moore@rscs.net>]

> But the big question is: does Leica really want to compete?

I don't know, but if it does, I hope the features are added with
function and simplicity in mind.  I tried out a fancy new AF SLR body
today, thinking of selling off my manual SLR system (FM2N) and gaining
a bit of an advantage in the "creative photography" department.  Was I
wrong!

I rewound and removed a partially exposed roll of film from the M6,
and attempted to put it into the AF SLR body.  The slight curve on the
end of the leader made this impossible.  Imagine over-stuffing your
suitcase, and trying to zip it shut before it pops open again, or
stuffing a room full of toys into a closet and trying to shut the door
before everything falls.  That's what it was like.

I proceeded, without film, to familiarize myself with the controls and
operation of the body.  After 45 minutes of trying, I was so lost in
the muddle of features, displays, and buttons, that I hadn't even
composed a single shot (and I was trying!).  I will say that the
near-silent autofocus was fast and -- did I mention near-silent?  I
wouldn't mind that as an option on an R body.

I gave up.  My arm was literally sore at that point (the body was
driven by eight AA batteries, if that gives you an idea of the size
and weight; and then there was the zoom lens...)

After today I've gained a new respect for the simple M and FM2N
designs, and their functionality and ease of use (and if I had one,
probably the R6.2 and others as well).

Sometimes the best way to compete is not to come up with faster motor
drives and more customizable features, but rather to incorporate
clever features into the design, even if they're dead simple -- the
features that make the user say, "now why didn't someone else think of
that already?"