[Leica] Digital accessory

[frank.dernie at btinternet.com (FRANK DERNIE)]

The M9 is completely filled with the electronics, sensor, battery and card. 
To 
fit it all even in the entire space inside an enlarged M style body and with 
a 
relatively tiny battery leaves the camera slow compared to most, if not all, 
high quality digital cameras and the battery life somewhat short. This does 
not 
bother me since it is a joy to have such a small high quality digital camera.
It is still a marvel of miniaturisation. On top of that the sensor with its 
associated chips and pcb is around 6 to 8 mm thick...
The volume of void in a film camera where the film and cassette go is still 
an 
order of magnitude or two too small. Maybe in 10 to 20 years? but by then 
nobody 
will be able to remember 35mm cameras, let alone sacrifice all the options 
which 
there would be no way of accessing were such a device be inserted inside a 
film 
camera, unless a remote control could be devised.
I always thought the M, with its removable door, would lend itself to a DMR 
type 
solution, but we have the M8 and 9 now.
Frank



----- Original Message ----
From: Lawrence Zeitlin <lrzeitlin at gmail.com>
To: Leica LUG <lug at leica-users.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 25 August, 2010 17:46:28
Subject: [Leica] Digital accessory

On another topic entirely. A few years ago an idea was floated about a
digital accessory for most film cameras. As I understand it, a thin sensor
plate would fit in the film slot of a standard 35 mm camera and the
electronics, data card, and batteries would fit in the film chambers. At the
time the idea was rejected because the then available electronics were too
big, the standard data card was the relatively large Compact Flash, large
size sensors were unavailable, and no provision was made for a viewing
screen. Most of those problems are moot today. Relatively low priced sensors
are available from 4/3 to full frame 35mm, the prevailing SD memory card is
small and micro SD is even smaller. Digital camera electronics, at least
judging by P&S size cameras, would fit in a thimble. Given the prevalence of
iPod and iPads, the lack of a viewing screen is not really an issue.


Does anyone know what happened to this idea? If a practical digital
accessory could be devised it would be a new lease on life for all these
lovely mechanical Leicas and film cameras that sit neglected on closet
shelves.


Larry Z

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