Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/05/05

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Subject: [Leica] Ten years behind? I think not.
From: grduprey at rockwellcollins.com (grduprey@rockwellcollins.com)
Date: Wed May 5 12:05:51 2004




With the exception of two digital cameras, the 1.3 factor is the same as
competition.  Cost of the Leica Digital is higher but not that outrageous,
IMHO, and the Leica has 10MB compared to 8 MB or less for the Nikon D1X/2H
series and Canon 1D Mark II digitals, plus it has film capability.  Seems a
pretty even trade off to me.  Now for the two that have greater capability
- Canon 1Ds - 11 MB full frame, not that much greater than the Leica
Digital, $7000+ dollars - $1000 greater than the Leica, or almost equal
depending on which camera you mate to the Digital back, still the Leica has
film capability - seems pretty well matched to me.  The Kodak SLR Pro14 is
$2000 approx. less with 14 MB full frame capability - Seems the real winner
in the pack, if they could just get those people who are mesmerized by
Canon out of their stupor.  So the Leica digital SLR package is pretty much
on good ground in my eyes.  I know I will be buying one when the funds
become available.  Autofocus is no big deal to me, and no one is going to
out do Nikon in the flash department any time soon.  And no, I have not
ignored the Low End DSLRs, they are going to beat the pants off of all the
above mentioned cameras for the majority of users.

Gene



|---------+-------------------------------------------------------->
|         |           "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>        |
|         |           Sent by:                                     |
|         |           lug-bounces+grduprey=rockwellcollins.com@leic|
|         |           a-users.org                                  |
|         |                                                        |
|         |                                                        |
|         |           05/05/2004 12:28 PM                          |
|         |           Please respond to Leica Users Group          |
|         |                                                        |
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  |                                                                                         |
  |       To:       "'Leica Users Group'" <lug@leica-users.org>                             |
  |       cc:                                                                               |
  |       Subject:  RE: [Leica] Ten years behind?  I think not.                             |
  >-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|





I would argue that the F5's matrix metering system is more sophisticated
than that of the R8/9, as is the flash metering system. Does it really
matter? Not if you don't miss it.

YOUR not missing it, however, Feli, has nothing to do with my point -
there are plenty of people still using LTMs and collapsible Elmars from
the 40s and 50s who don't want anything more - nor should they. The
point I am trying to make is that by not offering additional features,
Leica limits its market. Just as by offering a digital BACK for the R8/9
- at apx $4000 US - with a magnification factor of 1.3, they make
themselves completely non-competitive in the high-end digital world.
Yes, there will be a number of units sold to diehard Leicaphiles, but I
guarantee you that back will be ultimately viewed as an intriguing
artifact, rather than as a serious offering. For someone who doesn't now
have an R9, Leica will be selling a less-than-full frame, non-autofocus
digital camera, with a comparatively low top iso, for just under $7000 -
that isn't marketing, it's comedy.

B. D.

-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Feli di Giorgio
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 1:25 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: RE: [Leica] Ten years behind? I think not.


On Wed, 2004-05-05 at 10:14, B. D. Colen wrote:
> BUT...And I am NOT looking for a fight with the R crowd...by modern
> SLR standards, those same R8s with what you say is great metering and
> that great Leica glass, are definitely at least a decade behind the
> curve in terms of features. R8 aficionados may not want those
> features, but they are a given in the rest of the photo world, and
> that - and pricing - severely limits the R market.
>
> BTW - to what Nikon are you comparing the R8's metering?
>
> B. D.

What metering features is the R8 lacking and does it really matter?


Feli

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Replies: Reply from bdcolen at earthlink.net (B. D. Colen) ([Leica] Ten years behind? I think not.)