Re: [Leica] Digital Bessa RF

[sam <sam@osheaven.net>]

Wow. At $6,000 for the Leica (in two years) and the Cosina at maybe 
$2500-3500, the Cosina looks better and better. This may be Cosina's one 
big chance to become a world-class player.

Sam S



Jeffery Smith wrote:

> Here is Stephen Gandy's report from Photokina:
> ==================================================================
> Holy Digital Batman,  what a surprise! No one expected this.  The new
> digital Bessa was probably the most photographed camera at PMA, photog
> after photog taking shots of it.  I will have a page with pics up early
> next week.   It was amazing to see a early 1930's 50/2.5 Leitz Hektor
> mounted on a new digital RF.  Don't think the people who put together
> the display did not understand the historical significance of the 70
> year old lens being used with full compatibility on their new camera.
> 
> it's for real, Epson and Cosina combined in a secret joint project to
> produce the first interchangeable lens digital rangefinder ever.   I
> wondered why the film cameras I was told about at last year's PMA did
> not materialize when expected.  Apparently they were put aside
> temporarily for the digital Bessa.   This new camera is a really big
> deal, especially since RF users have been told for years such a camera
> was impossible due to technical limitations of the digital sensors. Only
> last week Leica announced that with improvements in technology, a
> digital Leica M was about two years away.   Privately Leica estimated a
> retail body price of $6000.
> 
> officially the details of the camera will not be officially released
> until March 11.   my guesses and observations are:
> 
> Leica M mount
> 6 megapixel digital chip
> APS  size sensor
> electronic Copal shutter, 1 to 1/2000th, 1/125th flash sync metered
> manual and aperture priority AE, counterweighted metering exposure lock
> availability by summer 2004 the rear mounted LCD screen flips around to
> store it out of the way, not only to save batteries, but also to make
> the shooting experience as much as possible like a traditional RF
> traditional PC outlet as well as hot shoe, no TTL flash traditional
> screw in remote shutter release --- Mr. K apparently does not like buy
> $75 remote electronic shutter releases either plus/minus 2 stops EV
> compensation traditional ISO film setting in shutter dial
> 
> the digital Bessa is designed to make traditional RF users right at
> home, with a minimum of computer geekdom required.  I think this was
> exactly the right move.
> 
> I estimate the price much less than the Leica digital M's at $6000, but
> much more than previous Voigtlander cameras.  It is even possible the
> digital Bessa may be more expensive than Leica's M7 and MP.   It would
> be interesting if Leica M owners had to endure kidding as the "bargain
> priced rangefinder" for the first time since the Leica / Contax
> competition of the 1930's.
> 
> Let me make it clear I have not handled the digital Bessa.  Epson had
> the only samples locked up on display.  The mostly analog controls are a
> welcomed site to me, compared to most camera computer's controls, but
> your guess is as good as mine so far as exactly what each control is
> for.
> 
> Being the first digital interchangeable lens RF, and probably the only
> one for up to two years until the Leica Digital M arrives, this is a
> very important camera, not only to Cosina Voigtlander, but to all RF
> shooters.
> 
> The Epson connection comes as big a surprise as the camera. Who would
> have thought Epson would be  interested in making  in a digital RF
> camera?    It remains to be seen how this plays, we find out March 11.
> 
> Stephen
> 
> 
> --
> To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
> 
> 

- --
To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html