Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]If I could choose just one improvement for a possible M7, it would be to get rid of the damned removeable bottom plate and bottom loading system. As a pro shooter, this is the main weakness of M-cameras: they take way to0 long to reload, and what do you do with that extra piece and flip-up back when running away from gunfire on the Gaza Strip. Forget the alleged structural rigidity - my F5 is plenty rigid, and advances to frame #1 by itself. Next, sure aperure-preferred auto would be nice, and probably easy to do. But the only camera that I know which mixed mechanical and electronically-timed speeds in any substantial way was the Canon EF. This was mechanical for half of the speeds, electronic for the rest - not ac/dc. And that was shutter-preferred (no way for that on an M-camera without adding stuff to the lens mount, making obsolete old lenses). Other wishes? Since they've dropped the M-winder, I'd like a winder built into the base of the camera, a la Contax 137, without changing basic body contours, only height. In fact, I wouldn't mess with the M ergonomics by even a millimetre - no camera fits the hands for horizontals and verticals so nicely, IMHO. Never needed a grip, either. I'd keep the Leica shutter, probably, unless metal can be made as noise- and vibration-free. Wouldn't mind a second meter pattern - something more spot-like, the reason why I still keep an M5 ready to go at all times (superb meter angle). If dreams came true, ah wouldn't it be nice?