Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/06/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On 6/19/04 4:52 AM, "FRANK DERNIE" <frank.dernie@btinternet.com> wrote: > Hi Douglas, > as an engineer I make a clear distinction between > design - which I see as fitness for purpose and > functionality, that normally done by the engineers. > And styling - the aesthetics, sometimes by engineers, > sometimes by "designers" and sometimes the management. > In a camera the functionality is far more important > IMO than the looks. Having the controls fall under my > fingers and that viewfinder make up for the hideous > (IMO) styling for me. I find the M5 ugly but it is IME > the best M camera. > I feel the same about most things. A beautifully > styled car which is overweight and/or handles badly is > of absolutely no interest to me, though I would prefer > it to look nice, mind you there are almost no cars on > the market today which appeal to me. > cheers > Frank Isn't the M5 overweight? It's size and weight was the engineering/design decision which almost sunk Leica like the titanic did it not? The Leica rangefinder system was perceived by it's patronage as being a lightweight small way to make pictures in comparison to most others. The m5 didn?t go well with that mindset. It was seen perhaps even as a betrayal. I plan to get one one day by the way. I guess engineering, design, and marketing all three have to be in balance. Mark Rabiner Photography Portland Oregon http://rabinergroup.com/