Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/10/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]"Huck Finn" from the Rangefinder Forum went to PhotoPlus Expo in NYC. He had a chat with the Karl Zeiss reps at the Hassleblad booth regarding the Zeiss rangefinder, and got to handle the mythical beast itself. He got official answers to a variety of questions. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=151045#post151045 Two major points that interest me: 1. Eye relief good, but 28mm frame not entirely visible with glasses. 35mm frame is entirely visible--just. This of course is the finding of one person with glasses. As we've seen, different people need different eye relief due to their prescription, shape of face, etc. 2. Here's a direct quote from the article re. a digital Zeiss RF" "There are no plans for a digital ZI any time in the near future. The feeling at Zeiss is that the public expects to obtain the full benefit of Zeiss lenses & that this will not be possible until a full frame sensor is available. End of story." :-( Read the details in the link above. Just reporting what I read. No fact checking performed, nor grand jury investigation, nor jailing of reporters until they reveal their sources. I'm curious what people think of Zeiss' stated reason for not planning on a digital RF. It strikes me as a little suspicious. Many Leica users are well aware of the capabilities of Leica lenses. Zeiss lenses are certainly in the same general league. Yet a lot of Leica users are very interested in a digital M. Some demand full-frame, many don't. I've said this many times: I'd own an Epson R-D1 now if it weren't for three things: 1. The ~$3,000 price tag. 2. The 1:1 viewfinder, which makes it impossible for me to use it with a lens shorter than 50mm (effective 75mm) when I'm wearing glasses. 3. The QC problems. 4. Oh, did I mention the $3,000 price tag? That the R-D1 doesn't have a full-frame sensor and can't give the full resolution of Leica lenses is not the issue. --Peter