Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/05/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ernie, I'm part of a generation of television news photographers who were there in the transition from 16mm newsfilm to video. Obviously, when shooting film, we had optical viewfinders; my last news camera was a Cinema Products reflex with a 9.5-57 zoom lens, integral light meter, and other bells and whistles. The thing weighed about ten pounds with a full load of film (12 minutes), the amp for sound, and a mike for natural sound. -- The Ikegami HL 33 that we transitioned to weighed less, had a BW viewfinder, with a moire pattern that let you know if things were exposed or not. It had to be white-balanced after each power-up. That was the head of the camera. That was connected by a cable to a back pack that weighed about 30 pounds with the camera electronics in it, then a separate VCR for another 25 pounds. Some places used single crews, but most had to go to two man crews for the "minicams." -- Today, you'll see TV news cameramen with video cameras comparable in size and weight to the CP16R that I was using when I shot docs at WWL-TV. Some are even using the much smaller Panasonic Digital Video Cameras (with Leica Lenses). -- My point here, is that the Leica-sonic D2 camera is still a transitional machine. There's lots of excellence there, but in another year or so, we'll be at a place where the viewfinders are wonderful, the market will stabilize, and we'll have only incremental change in higher end equipment. -- For the fickle snapshooting public, who knows? -- Regards, -- Sonny (shooting film and digits) -- http://www.sonc.com In a message dated 5/8/2004 9:02:57 AM Central Daylight Time, enitka@twcny.rr.com writes: My take on the D2 is that if it weren't for the EVF I'd be very interested in it. The EVF has this annoying lag in displaying movement - it could actually produce vertigo. If it only had a much simpler approximating VF like on most zoom p and s I'd be happier. Much of my disappointment comes from the fact that i come from a traditional film background and the way in which I use the camera is semi- fixed in stone - I can't see myself holding the D2 1/2 an arm's length away and looking at my subject thru the larger LCD - not going to happen. The computer magazines are simply that - magazines that hype each new introduction - just like the photo mags do - 'never saw a camera they didn't like'. One really has to scratch the surface to see if the camera is for you. Many of the forums including this one will reveal that there are some who find the camera wanting. It's just a matter of whether the faults are important for your way of shooting. right now i'm shooting MP and my caon elph digital and this is really a decent combo. ernie