Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/10/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]My 30 year old Voightlander VF135 rangefinder has a 40mm f/2.4 lens, a bright rangefinder, is pocketable, has fully automatic and manual modes, is easy to use, and achieves impressive pictorial results. As per Leica's CM description below, in comparison the Voightlander lacks a detailed LED display and a semi-rare metal cage. No matter how many point-and-shoot Japanese cameras, both film and digital, Leica markets, all they are doing is lowering the excitment bar lower and lower. Sam S "The letter "M" in the name of the new LEICA CM is eminently justified :Its outstanding performance is unusual for a compact camera and makes it as unique in its class as the Leica M cameras are in the category of rangefinder photography. The LEICA CM has a solid titanium body and is fabricated with precision craftsmanship in Germany. A Leica lens with a speed of f/2.4 masters virtually every application and it achieves impressive pictorial results with the finest nuances. Whether it is used in the fully automatic mode or with manual settings – with its extensive, easy-to-operate settings, this compact camera offers the best conditions for individual picture composition. With its brilliant viewfinder, the subject coverage can be evaluated confidently, even under poor light conditions. A detailed LED display in the viewfinder helps in controlling the photographic parameters. And its looks ? Typically Leica!" Mark Rabiner wrote: > I thought this one up in St. Louis last week during a conversation about > wood chips in the state of Washington. > Pot shot shooting season is open but i know a good idea when i see one. > Or think of one: > > In a way the M series is a bit of a failure because with the exception > of the CL they are not going to fit in many pockets and will not be with > you. They are just too big and heavy. > The Barnack camera is all about being with you and pocketable I think. > That idea should have been stuck to. > Yes I know a Cosina CL is coming but let's talk Leica the company. > > The new CM i think is going to be a sensation. > http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/compact/cm/tecdat/index_e.html > It's design is perfect; the right size. It's made out of titanium. It > lights up and says "kiss me baby" as far as I go but has manual override. > The 40 mm f/2.4 LEICA SUMMARIT (6 elements in 4 groups) with improved > multi-layer coating is just what this doctor ordered. > > Its going to fly putting Leica in the black blacker than Ilfords > Varigram in Amidol selenium toned in warm 1:31 for 12 minutes and dried > on an organic plastic dryer screen in a gentle Spring breeze. > > Stage II. > The CM comes out in a model, due to popular demand, with little gems of > interchangeable Leica lenses which cutely bayonet on and off. A 28 and > a 90 perhaps the 90 being taken from the old be excellent CL design. > These lenses are 25 percent cheaper than M lenses and 40 percent smaller > and lighter. They have concave outer elements perhaps and say "ASPH". > Maybe "apo." > Most importantly they are not set way back so they cannot be used with > digital grabbers like the classic M system. > > Stage III. The digital version of this camera comes out 6 months later > with a 5 month warning and with the CM lenses being able to be used on it. > > So we have a Mini M system. Digitally able. Ably digital. Analogly amiable. > > The regular M system we'll call the M system classic. > The non TTL will become the Leica M classic classic. > > But in a way the mini M (CM) is closer in size to the LTM screw mount > cameras and in the very important size respect more of a Barnack camera > then the now "classic". > ANd more of a camera system i think we can all can use more often. > And will sell like blueberry hotcakes. > > Feel free Herr Cohen to steal this idea! Just give me one of the > cameras and a lens or two. > I'll volunteer to put my "Helmut Newton" on it if they need such a thing. > > Mark Rabiner > > Portland, Oregon USA > http://www.rabinergroup.com > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html