Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/06/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank et al-- I like your line of thinking. Very reasonable. Especially the part about being able to have two modes of "capture." The introduction of a digital option for the R system is a convenience, and expands the versatility of the system, keeping Leica's promise not to create obsolescence in the system. Folks like to blast the "two modes" argument by saying that those who shoot sporting events won't want to be switching back and forth between digi and film, that it will be a nuisance. I doubt that many people are going to go that route anyway. I'd bet dollars to doughnuts (only Krispy Kreme for this Southern gal) that in the long run, many folks will have two R bodies and one will carry the module permanently. There will be the back-and-forthers, too, but remember that you can't have film in the camera at the same time you are using the digital back! And, as some other cranky LUG'er pointed out, those who do sports or action work in digi mode are probably using a Canon system already, and don't have Leicas or aren't interested in using Leica for that purpose. I can see someone like Doug Herr, who often converts his film images to digital for various purposes, enjoying a product like this. There are probably others, too, who would feel the same way, for similar or different reasons. And there are those who just really enjoy using their R cameras, who will not abandon film for digital, but will add digital to their film capability. I like digital for some things, and not for others. The things that turn me away from digital are the very things that the Digital Module R solves: gives me lots of lens and accessory options that the compact digital cameras do not. To be able to have that option in one system is a pretty fun thing. (And to quote Ben and Jerry, "If it isn't fun, why do it?") To argue that the digital back is too expensive is not really a legitimate question for an R-enthusiast ... about a dozen of the 28 or so lenses that are currently available for the R system are already over $5000 apiece (some are over $10,000), and there are half a dozen that aren't far behind. So anyone using an R is already geared up to spend the bucks on the system anyway. For someone who has an outfit that coud easily be worth $50,000 already, spending $5000 on an accessory may not be such a big deal. At some point one has to admit that photography is an expensive profession/passion/hobby, and that to choose Leica as one's instrument of choice just adds another layer of expense to the activity. By analogy--though I know this will get me into trouble--not everyone can or wants to drive an Aston-Martin, but there are those who do, and who are willing to pay the extra money to get what that experience offers. Clearly the most logical option in the long-term is the introduction of a purely digital R-type body. Now there's a rumor to chew on! Kit - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Frank Farmer Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 10:09 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Digital Back - I like the first step! Greetings all, I also have to agree with Doug and Ed. For several reasons: First, I don't even own a R camera and only have one M6TTL. But the idea of being able to switch from a digital SLR to a film SLR is attactive to me. Mainly because I could use Leica glass, which I've come to know and love just as everyone else has, without limitation. I switched to the M from a sizeable Nikon system and have enjoyed the switch. However, I do, at times, miss using some of the features of my F100 . For that reason, I've been in the market (just snooping really) for a SLR to use for Macro work. Until now, I'd been considering Contax cameras for this purpose. However, with the intro of a digital back for the R8/9(whether I use it or not) Leica has made their SLR line more attractive to me because the option of going to a DSLR is there. Expensive, but there. Speaking of expensive, the argument about the cost of the back, coming from this group, is less than pursuading. Granted, we don't all have +/- $7,000.00 to drop on a camera and back, but come on folks - Leicas are EXPENSIVE! Even electronic ones. They always have been and will continue to be hence forth and forevermore. Too bad really. But a $200 rewind knob for the MP? I think they hit the reasonableness target much closer to the bull's eye on the Digital Modul R than on the Leicavit - M or the rewind crank. Now, I'm not saying that Leica should just charge the stratospheric prices willy nilly. I know they have costs and profits to worry about and they aren't a giant company with seeminly bottomless resources like Canon, for example. So, I understand - to a degree. Basically, my hopes mirror those of Ed. Mainly, that this is not actaully the finished product. Really, it sounded pretty good to me already and I'm sure they will do a good deal of refining and tweaking before it hits Photokina. But, I say "way to go Leica." It seems like they were sinking rapidly in the world of digital and while this will not put them in the lead in that market, it will sustain them, in my opinion, for the near future. It will also offer them a platform from which to expand both their digital and film SLR products without limiting either endeavour. What they do after that is up to them. Hopefully, they will continue to work on new products and new lenses for both R and M. These are just my ramblings. Let the flames begin . . . ;-) Frank - -------Original Message------- From: "caliguri@rcn.com" <caliguri@rcn.com> Sent: 06/25/03 05:10 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: [Leica] Digital Back - I like the first step! > > Well - I have to agree with Doug Herr - in essence, I don't think it will be the same back you will be able to buy next september. I think it's more than a starting point, but not a finished product. This is Leica's way of saying ' Hey - we are on this - we won't abandon you R shooters who want a digital back -- this is NOT a finished product, but it will be by Photokina.' It may be very different by the time it hits the street . I think it will be. But I LOVE the idea - I'll dedicate a body to it! No one will be switching backs in the heat of a sports shoot. SD cards will be the same capacity as CF cards (if they stay with SD cards!), and a finder screen masked off with a 'shaded' area would be great! Like the M, you can see what's coming in and out of the frame. I'm glad they are not just talking, but showing, what's developing behind the scenes. Then again, they can't win can they? Tell us what's going on and show products in the pipeline, and people complain - keep it secret, but just say it's on the way, and people complain ; loose - loose situation for Leica there. Meantime, film gets better and better as well! I'm pretty happy about the whole ordeal. Looks like they have a good thing on it's way! Ed - -------------------------------------------------------------------- mail2web - Check your email from the web at http://mail2web.com/ . - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html