Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/17

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica's position at the end of the millenium
From: Donal Philby <donalphilby@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1999 16:27:30 -0700

Erwin,

You mention that Leica (and other manufacturers) need to keep to their
roots to develop their camera lines.  If the M line is getting left
behind, though, there is another issue.  The needs of professional
photographers, at least, has changed since 1954.  The major changes are
a predominance of color use and an expectation by clients (magazines,
corporations) for enhanced lighting.  Both of these demand metering
sophistication that the TTL is beginning to address.  For fast changing
situations, an auto mode, especially for flash fill, is nearly
imperative.  Since the M does not have intermediate shutter speeds,
precise exposure requires setting of F/stops and that means transferring
manually the F/stop to the strobe.

Yes, there are purists.  But I just returned from 5 cities, 7 days
shooting trip using mostly available light, but some flash assisted, and
the M is just not very handy.  Using Leicas and Nikons side by side
(shooting, for instance, an airport firetruck emptying its 1500 gallon
water tank through the remote nozzles in less than 2 minutes while
moving), there is no comparison.  I'm shooting chrome in changing light,
moving subject, sometimes flashfill (back light the water and fill the
shadow).

The precise exposure needs, especially, are vital today.  No fixing it
in the darkroom.  The Contax, at least, has recognized this and
attempted, however poorly, to create a camera that supports professional
needs.  If only they had given it a real rangefinder.....

Leica's "roots" are optical quality and small size--not lack of
features.  Now they need to take the technology in the R8 and bring the
M up to date.

donal

- --
Donal Philby
San Diego
www.donalphilby.com