Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/10/04

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Subject: Re: [Leica] "Digital Back For My Leica".....Dreaming?
From: John Brownlow <lists@johnbrownlow.com>
Date: Fri, 04 Oct 2002 14:29:05 -0400

On 10/3/02 2:45 PM, "Ginex, Mike" <mginex@panynj.gov> wrote:

> I've heard many comments suggesting the digital modification to existing
> bodies of Leica cameras, primarily to do with the backs, which seems logical
> and not outside the realm of modern technology at a level even a dummy like
> me can perceive. Wouldn't it be a fabulously successful venture for Solms to
> pursue?

There are large technical problems with the conversion. Leica lenses,
especially the wide ones, are designed so the rear element is very close to
the film plane. As a result many rays strike the film plane at very shallow
angles. CCDs in general don't like this... they like the light to come in at
as close to a normal to the plane of the CCD as possible. There would
therefore be at the very least serious light fall-off in the CCD image, with
probably other unpleasant artefacts as well.

There may ultimately be solutions to this but I don't know of any right now.
I guess there could be a range of 'D' lenses or something without such a
short back focus but even that may not be enough.
- -- 
Johnny Deadman

http://www.pinkheadedbug.com



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