Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Here is Stephen Gandy's report from Photokina: ================================================================== Holy Digital Batman, what a surprise! No one expected this. The new digital Bessa was probably the most photographed camera at PMA, photog after photog taking shots of it. I will have a page with pics up early next week. It was amazing to see a early 1930's 50/2.5 Leitz Hektor mounted on a new digital RF. Don't think the people who put together the display did not understand the historical significance of the 70 year old lens being used with full compatibility on their new camera. it's for real, Epson and Cosina combined in a secret joint project to produce the first interchangeable lens digital rangefinder ever. I wondered why the film cameras I was told about at last year's PMA did not materialize when expected. Apparently they were put aside temporarily for the digital Bessa. This new camera is a really big deal, especially since RF users have been told for years such a camera was impossible due to technical limitations of the digital sensors. Only last week Leica announced that with improvements in technology, a digital Leica M was about two years away. Privately Leica estimated a retail body price of $6000. officially the details of the camera will not be officially released until March 11. my guesses and observations are: Leica M mount 6 megapixel digital chip APS size sensor electronic Copal shutter, 1 to 1/2000th, 1/125th flash sync metered manual and aperture priority AE, counterweighted metering exposure lock availability by summer 2004 the rear mounted LCD screen flips around to store it out of the way, not only to save batteries, but also to make the shooting experience as much as possible like a traditional RF traditional PC outlet as well as hot shoe, no TTL flash traditional screw in remote shutter release --- Mr. K apparently does not like buy $75 remote electronic shutter releases either plus/minus 2 stops EV compensation traditional ISO film setting in shutter dial the digital Bessa is designed to make traditional RF users right at home, with a minimum of computer geekdom required. I think this was exactly the right move. I estimate the price much less than the Leica digital M's at $6000, but much more than previous Voigtlander cameras. It is even possible the digital Bessa may be more expensive than Leica's M7 and MP. It would be interesting if Leica M owners had to endure kidding as the "bargain priced rangefinder" for the first time since the Leica / Contax competition of the 1930's. Let me make it clear I have not handled the digital Bessa. Epson had the only samples locked up on display. The mostly analog controls are a welcomed site to me, compared to most camera computer's controls, but your guess is as good as mine so far as exactly what each control is for. Being the first digital interchangeable lens RF, and probably the only one for up to two years until the Leica Digital M arrives, this is a very important camera, not only to Cosina Voigtlander, but to all RF shooters. The Epson connection comes as big a surprise as the camera. Who would have thought Epson would be interested in making in a digital RF camera? It remains to be seen how this plays, we find out March 11. Stephen - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html