Re: [Leica] Digilux not same as Lumix apparently - now software

[Luc Bourgeois <luc@forcemajeure.qc.ca>]

Good point George,

In fact the quality of anything remotely related to chips is a result 
of the attention given to the software code that runs them. A better 
chip, with higher specs, running bad software might likely not process 
as well as quality code on a lesser chip. Of course the faster & bigger 
chip is better in its processing potential. But the software is the key.

Writing software cost tons of money, and since you can write software 
forever, time-to-market and budget issues usually calls the end of 
development before a version ships.

Cameras, editing software, DV Cams, audio tools, and hi-tech guitar 
amps are now run by software. The knobs are just a controller interface 
changing digital input values. We live in a virtual world with all its 
consequences*. High-end analog Studer (Swiss recorders) are all but 
extinct, hand-made guitars are $5K and more, etc...

And yes, it also means the M's as we know and love them will stop when 
Leica will stop making them (hopefully never). But at least they'll 
still be around, totally usable. What's the usable life span of a 
digital camera? Two years? The whole 'digital lifestyle' is basically a 
never-ending consumerism cycle, fueled by gadgets and supposedly 
important 'power-enabling' feature sets. This is now also the reality 
of the digital photographer.

For the pro photographer, going digital means his gear will become a 
moving target. His tool(s) become(s) an evolving software-based 
octopus-like system, interfacing various modules from different 
manufacturers each looking eagerly to the next chip set, software 
revision or interfacing protocol that will enable technical progress 
and optical improvements in exchange for the next model or version. It 
is fine when it works, and - obviously - is a logical requirement in 
many production workflows.

Leica is one of the few companies still producing hand-made, 
high-quality technical manual tools that last. That in itself, if you 
appreciate that tradition and those values, is worth wishing the best 
of success to Leica in all their endeavors, digital and 'traditional'.

Luc

*: planned obsolescence, pollution, shipping unfinished goods relying 
on future upgradability, market-driven product design, and announcing 
products (with variable specifications) much before they reach market.


On Jeudi, décembre 4, 2003, at 09:50  AM, George Lottermoser wrote:

> the software has every bit as much to do with image quality as the chip
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