Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]"Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" wrote: > > Boy Lucien, > > Obviously you must be having a bad day! I thought it was a decent > question. I am not a Leica repair person or mechanic, so in answer to > you, yes I have used an M, but I would imagine that all things are > possible. So what's the > problem with my asking a question? Should I have read the reapir manual > first???!!! Geeezz. > I'm not a repair person or mechanic either, but I own and use M cameras. I'm guessing that what Lucien was referring to is something that is evident to those who have used M cameras: What are you going to do about the framelines and viewfinder in a non-zooming VF? Two options exist, if you were to build a zoom for the M camera. The first is to completely replace the existing VF assembly with a zooming one. I don't think that is likely, although I'm told it is possible. The current VF/RF assembly is a point of pride with Leica (just read their literature) and it is highly unlikely that it's going to be replaced. The second option is to have framelines that dynamically change as you zoom the lens. This would require additional linkage in the mount, and would also require redesign of the VF/RF assembly. Despite the fact that you, Peter, clearly like to remind everyone here how technologically inferior Leica's cameras are to those of many other manufacturers, I'm sure that many people agree with me that there is no point in sticking a zoom on an M camera. If you want zooms, use an SLR. If you want a small, lightweight, quiet package for use for available light photography, use an M (or similar style) rangefinder. As for the tone of your message: Personally, I feel it was inapropriate. Lucien is one of the most helpful people on this list and, quite frankly, your question *was* stupid. It is clear to anyone who has used an M camera that there isn't going to be a zoom for it. If you want to start yet another Contax G vs. Leica M flamewar, then please mark the subject heading as such, so that the rest of us can automatically delete the message. M. - -- Martin Howard | Visiting Scholar, CSEL, OSU | What boots up must come down. email: howard.390@osu.edu | www: http://mvhoward.i.am/ +---------------------------------------