Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Luggers, I speculate that we can (perhaps) learn more about the Bessa D by looking at the specs of the Epson digital cameras. They use Sony chips so I guess that the Bessa D will use a Sony Chip - likely the same one as in the D100 (6.1MB) with a 1.5 mag factor. Why that one? Well Sony has come out with an 8 MB camera and will want the new chips for its own, 6.1MB is sufficient for up to Super A3 enlargements, the 6.1 chip should be a lot cheaper than the new 8 chip - and that will leave room for Epson to upgrade with a MK 11 model (a la Canon's incremental upgrades from the D30 to the D60 to the 10D) to keep early adopters renewing their models every few months. We could get through two or even three cycles, if Epson follows Canon, before the Leica MD gets to the market. I speculate that there will be limited colour profiles available in the software, hopefully a standard Adobe RGB (or RGBs) and yes, there will likely be a B&W option - there is one on the Epson P&S cameras. DIN should run to at least 1,600 - maybe even 3,200 and not be grainier than equivalent speed film. The handling of the camera will be like handling a Bessa R2 (which I have and use a lot - sometimes in preference to my Leica Ms) because it is light and cheap and I don't care if it gets banged about. The Epson digital back will be fast to process pictures, and results will be very acceptable - assuming they are like the Epson P&S results. Out of the camera and with standard settings they may be a bit on the soft side and with muted colours, if the reults are like the Nikon D100's, and that will require some in camera adjustments (if they can be made) or some tweaking in photoshop. Price - about one third the price of the Leica MD. How does a street price of about US$1,000 - $1,500 sound? Thanks for letting me share my speculations. I want to order one NOW! Cheers Howard (in warm but polluted Hong Kong) - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html