Re: [Leica] Minolta made R9

[Larry Kopitnik <kopitnil@marketingcomm.com>]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
	--> If and when Leica comes out with a next generation SLR,
	you can be sure I'll try my best to understand how they
	went about to circumvent Japanese autofocus patents.
	Like Nikon AFS  (microwave cavity resonance collimator),
	Leica's way to get into autofocus is either going to have
	something to do with existing patents or be some pretty
	wild "third degree" technology because, it seems, the
	wise Japanese ( not cynical here) have pretty much cornered
	the potential patents and reverse engineering pathways
	to an autofocus system. I just can't wait to see what Leica's
	AutoFocus system is going to be related to, technology wise.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I recently handled Nikon's new 28-70 f/2.8 AFS lens in the store. No
comments here on its optical quality -- I shot no photos with it -- but
mechanically it was the finest AF lens I've handled. Manual focusing felt,
in that short in-store trial, as good as the best manual focus lenses. It
was the first time I've manually focused an AF lens and felt it handled in
a way that would make even Leica proud. I assume this is related to the AFS
technology.

Given that some of Leica's objections to AF have reportedly been the
cheapened feel it gives most lenses, it appears that technology may have
advanced to the point of overcoming that objection. But does Minolta,
should they become Leica's AF partner, have lenses with the equivalent of
AFS? Or would Leica need to reinvent that wheel to be able to offer AF
lenses which feel as good as Leicas are supposed to feel?

(An aside -- and I say this as a Nikon user:  The new Minolta/Maxxum 9 is
really a terrific camera. Leica could do worse than base an AF body on
that.)

Larry