Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The only thing that will save Leica is a digital M body or some other product that eploits the niche that has always been the domain of the M camera - compact size with extremely high quality results. For now, let's call it a digital M, whether or not it uses the existing M lenses or would require a whole new range of "digital RF" lenses. Leica have no inherent advantages in the DSLR or P&S digicam markets. They are too small, slow, and poor to compete against the likes of Canon and Nikon. Without a digital M, what does Leica really have to offer that differentiates them from competing manufacturers? A digital M is the only thing that would give them a unique value proposition that none of thier competitors could match - a complete professional-grade rangefinder system offering the highest quality digital output in a compact package. Ok, reality check. We've all heard about how a digital M is not possible with current sensors technology. First of all, I am confident that one day sensor technology will make a digital M possible. And second, perhaps there is a way to do an interesting product within the constraints of current technology. If not a digital M in the traditional sense, then how about a completely new digital rangefinder system, with the RF based on the M6/7, but utilizing a smaller sensor and smaller lenses designed specifically for digital capture. This is along the lines of what Nikon is doing. But let's have manual focusing lenses, with a proper rangefinder, and no anti-aliasing filter, just like the DMR. And most importantly, let's make it as compact as possible. At the typical RF focal lengths of 21-135mm (35mm equivalents) ), the system should produce blisteringly great results that exceed the capabilities of the Canon EOS1Ds. Now that is a unique proposition that I would gladly pay for, and I don't think I'm alone. Customers are always willing to pay a premium for tangible benefit. - --Jim Laurel - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html