Re: [Leica] Solms contact needed

[Steve Hickel <smhickel@iserv.net>]

Pete,

I am truly awestruck!

Steve

At 02:35 AM 3/14/98 EST, you wrote:
>Dear LUGnuts:
>
>Some of you may recall my efforts in trying to create a solution to the
'grit'
>problem of the R8 focusing screens. To recap, perhaps its just a 'problem'
for
>me, but my perception of the current focusing screens is that they are both
>dull and 'grity' as compared to a modern "laser matte" type of screen as
>incorporated in other manufactures camera systems.
>
>For me, I find the 'grit' an annoyence and the lack of brightness to be
>undesirable. When I brought up these issues perviously, some of you disagreed
>with me siting various raves from writers reviewing the R8 as being amongst
>the best of the best in viewfinders.
>
>I do think that the R8 viewfinder has the potential to be the best of the
>best, but was 'shot down' in its performance by the limitation of the current
>screens.
>
>My explorations into a set of solutions for a different screen started with
>Maxwell Precision Optics. Bill Maxwell was able to 'treat' a few Leica
>replacment screens in order to create the type of brightness increase as
>Bettie et al. I must say that I was impressed by the increase in
brightness of
>the screen. However, the grit problem was still quite obvious.
>
>I contacted Leica USA and Nils Thoreson to request assistance in reviewing
>previous camera models that might have screens that could be adapted forward
>to the R8. The SL screen was known to have a very unique performance. It was
>also beleived that the R4 screens - from the Minolta era - the originator of
>the "laser matte" concept, where superior to later model screens. However,
>Nils was unable to find any forward compatability of these previous products.
>The screens are not only mechically sized different, but also have optical
>focal lenght and correction factors (SL), that are different then the R8.
>
>A little lost, I was hartened by the recent article in Popular Photography
>outlining the history of viewfinder image quality and their assertion that
>viewfinder image quality of most camera systems has degraded over the years.
>They provided some interesting supporting data with the article. I felt after
>reading it that perhaps my perceptions about the 'grit' and brightness of the
>R8 screen were not misplaced.
>
>Seeking further solutions, I sat in a camera store with boxes of camera
>screens from different manufactorers camera systems - and different eras of
>screens. I was seeking a 'donor' screen that was laser-matte, had focusing
>aids (I prefer microprism) and had basic mechanical size compatability with
>the R8. 
>
>Unfortunitly, no such luck. The closest I came was in theory only - Canon
>designed a laser matte screen with microfocusing aids. It was designated "E-
>A", but is out of production. Since I could not get my hands on one, I do not
>know if it would have fit, the focal lenght or any of the other issues of
>compatability.
>
>But, it was interesting that it is possible to make such a screen. Most laser
>matte screens appear now in autofocus cameras and it was unclear if you could
>combine both the laser matte surface and focusing aids - but clearly, you
can.
>
>I also learned in this process that earlier focusing screens were a heck of a
>lot nicer then the plastic hunks that we now have. I saw an early Canon
screen
>that had beautiful GLASS optics cemented to a fine grain screen! It weighed a
>bit, but was clearly glorious. 
>
>Now, its obvious that the screens are injection molded and are plastic lenses
>at best. Would any of you settle for plastic elements in your favorite Leica
>lens?? I have found that even Canon's attempt in making replicated aspheric
>lenses using plastic on glass has caused considerable losses in the optics.
>
>Well, here I am. Lots of effort later and only a half of a solution! But, I
>now know that it is possible to make a much smoother and brighter screen and
>indeed has been done on previous cameras from other manufactores and even
>within Leica. 
>
>I would like to start lobbying Leica to create a new series of replacment
>screens for the R8. The development of such screens is neither costly, nor
>time consuming - its not free, but the technology is readily available on
>contract to other manufactorues.
>
>Does anyone have first hand knowledge of a name at Solms that would be
>sympathetic to my lobbying?????????????????
>
>I obviously could start at the top and work down, but it would be most
helpful
>to find a direct connection in to the R8 team and with some one that might be
>able to get the ball rolling. Without much effort, I think Leica could
tune up
>the R8 screens to provide a truly world class view finder.
>
>If you have any names to suggest along with contact information, please
>forward them to me. I would appreciate your help and support.
>
>sincerely,
>
>Pete Myers
>
>







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	       		 		Thanks-Steve