Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/04/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]As far as Leica is concerned, due to the demand of a digital M8 that can use all the existing lens of our current M, no doubt is tempting for Leica to pursue, both in riding on the success of the M and the Leicaphiles' desire to get into digital. However, to get into the digital arena, Leica will have to rely on non-German OEM to supply the electronic bodies. This is no small task. For any OEM to revamp what Leica wants from R&D to signing off the product design it has to commit to a long-term relationship which guarantees financial incentive for them to go into partnership. Leica has never been a company to market its product for the mass. It is at best a niche in this market and ONLY if we all will dish out an extraordinary amount of cash injection, will this partnership between Leica and OEM work. The danger here is while we all support Leica's film/35mm medium, a total digitalize M8 at best utilizing existing lens with no zoom, nor all the bells and whistles of the current state-of-the-art digital camera, will not attract new Leica users that are currently using Nikons or Minoltas to switch to Leica digital. Then on the other hand, if the M8 is to come with zoom, LCD screen, flash, zooms etc etc etc....then where is the similarity between the M and the M8. Such a digital camera will take to the form more akin to the Asian-designed body as well as function rather than the M. Also the technology, in digital domain, with desktop scanners, printers etc, can process any developed film, pictures into digital. Now one can argue that the M lens will be superior to any, compared with the current class of digital zooms; well I think the zoom lens is already proven to be perfectly adequate for digitalizing any imagery. Personally I just don't see any OEM will partner such venture given the current state of mind-set between the M and the rest of the digital systems. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Greetings - send holiday greetings for Easter, Passover http://greetings.yahoo.com/ - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html