Re: [Leica] Motor Drive R8

[RBedw51767@aol.com]

Pascal:

Perhaps Leica was just too far along in the development path to kill it but 
it would have been the prudent thing to do.  This drive is not going to save 
the R8, especially at these prices.   In my opinion the only design that 
would save the Leica R series is to incorporate an auto-focus system similar 
to the Contax AX.  Not much chance that this is going to happen either.   
This design would at least allow current R users to use their lenses.  They 
are soon going to have to bite the bullet and offer some really big 
incentives on the R8.  Unfortunate, but true.  You can't even tell but I 
might be motivated to get back into an R8 for the THIRD time.   Oh, how 
stupid!

Bob Bedwell

<< On 07-09-1999 00:06 Robert Gates wrote:
 
 >The September edition of 'Leica Fotografie International' Nr.6/99 includes 
 >a three page report by Oliver Richter on the long-awaited R8 Motor Drive.  
 >Technical Data: W/H/D: 157 x 86.5 x 89mm with hand loop. Weight: 430g 
 >without Acc. 680g with. Up to 4.5 fps. Akku-Pack: 8 NiMH cells. Over 100 
 >films of 36 exp per charge.  Delivery date: End November 1999.
 
 Now that it's official, I can also tell you some info that I got 
 privately a while back:
 
 - no use of standard or lithium AA batteries will be possible (only accu 
 pack which slides into the motordrive)
 - suggested retail price will be around 1,500 German Marks. Enough to 
 awake even the most timid among us :-(
 
 Combined weight of R8 plus motordrive is even more than an F5, and you do 
 not get an excellent handgrip like the one on the latter. In fact, even 
 its price is more than that of an F5.
 Go figure.
 Who was talking about market share and unsold inventory of R8 bodies?
 :-(
 
 Pascal >>