[Leica] Digital Module R sensor vs EOS 1D IIS

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Frank Dernie offered:
Subject: Re: [Leica] Digital Module R sensor vs EOS 1D IIS


> At the present rate of running down the R digiback it could end up as rare 
> and collectable as an original MP.<

Good morning Frank,
That maybe, however it may open the door for a couple of entrepreneurs to 
grab the first "working models," put them away waiting to make a fortune 
later without even taking them out of the box. ;-) Particularly when the 
announced release is once again delayed. :-(

By the same token please note I did say...."working models?" ;-)

I suppose some of the seemingly frustrating comments about Leica and their 
obviously poor organization along the lines of digital, are compounded by 
many of their avid fans of multi years dedication to Leica products and it's 
amazing quality. I don't think there's a much greater "fan loyalty" than 
those devoted to Leica cameras and equipment.

However, for the past number of years it's been the poorly run Leica 
Company, whatever that constitutes and why, but it's destroying that "camera 
dedicated fan" base due to the inconsistencies of equipment promised, to 
lack of providing the equipment as advertised and promised.

It seems the new forever R8 was the beginning of this "promise it for..... 
to delaying until....." followed by the 3 year delay for motors which 
compounded every few months as the delivery time was pushed further into the 
future. Since then the company doesn't appear to have improved it's image at 
"promising a product to actually delivering it."

This of course has been a major screw-up damaging their image even more so 
with any involvement in the advancement of digital. I would have to think 
that in the "photographic board rooms of the world," Leica must be the 
laughing stock of the coffee break each day."

Unfortunately, as we see the constant improvements in digital gear daily 
from other manufacturers, while Leica valued customers, "read died in the 
wool forever loyal customers" dying off before the "camera love of their 
lives" is produced in digital form.

We have always said Leica as a film camera was a niche market machine, never 
disagreed with that. However, their constant "it's not possible to make an M 
camera" digital went on, not for a few months, but for years. But as soon as 
another manufacturer came out with a body, no not a perfect machine for M 
replacement, but it appears to be building a following .

Leica were out within two days with....."we'll have a digital M type body 
ready in 2 years!" Gee whiz eh?

Heck what happened in the Black Forest? "the new dawn of camera civilization 
and modern age of photography lights went on" ? And someone realized the 
world was round after all and we better figure out how to do this before all 
we're making is frozen weinerschnitzal for Safeway?

Now tell me, because someone else is smart enough to actually produce a 
digital body to take M lenses and will be ready in a few months, this 
flashing announcement was all it took to turn on the lights to the digital 
world with a "true Leica type body?"

Even when most of us are to the death Leica users, if nothing else for their 
lenses, we see the " 20D, RD1 and other digital versions" appearing daily 
and growing.  When it could've been Leica making statements of improvements 
or at least... "here it is the digital camera you've all been waiting for!"

In two more years for an M type body? And they can't even get the latest 
version for the R8/9 digi back out when promised, how the hell are we, or 
why the hell should we wait two years and then be told once again.... " 
there's a glitch in software and it should be released at the next Fotokina 
2010? Or?

Sorry folks a long rant, but I hate it when a company I've supported buying 
multi thousands and thousands of dollars, using and promoting their 
equipment for 50 years and they cant get their act together, tell the truth 
or are flailing around lost in a world of yesterday while the space age 
speed of other companies pasted them by completely.

And quite frankly it's highly unlikely they'll ever catch the pack. Maybe?
ted