[Leica] Square Film Format for the R10

[cummer at netvigator.com (Howard Cummer)]

Hi Luggers,
One time lugger, Ray Tai, now participating, I think, at the  
Rangefinder forum, has used some Leica R lens on the Hasselblad Xpan  
( 24mm X 65mm). None of them have an image circle to cover 65mm but  
the 35 Curtagon comes closest. Ray noted that there was very little  
fall off at the edge of the R lenses' image circles (like the R28)  
and he thought that some older style lenses had larger image circles  
than some of the later models. Leica needs something to differentiate  
it from the excellent DSLRs from Canon Nikon and others and going to  
a square format - no more vertical and horizontal shots - like a mini  
Hasselblad - could be a way to do it. I wouldn't be at all surprised  
if they go square format - reinventing the 35mm format which Oskar  
Barnack is credited with starting (even if he wasn't first). Older  
lenses, if they do have a larger image circle might become sought  
after and suddenly more valuable. I am keeping mine. Look at what has  
happened to the price of Visoflexes with the M8. Photokina is going  
to be very interesting. I am going and hope to lay hands on an R10.  
Anybody else going to be there??
Cheers,
Howard