[Leica] A Leica with IS, Focus confirmation and 16 Mpix ...

[rdcb37 at dodo.com.au (Rick Dykstra)]

Just before the birds started up this morning I was dreaming.  The 
Digital Module R came out next April with an image stabilising 
capability, focus confirmation and 16 Mpix.  Then, only partly awake, I 
quickly negotiated with my demons that I'd be happy with just the 
latter, enough megapixels to justify another outrageous expense on a 
system that is increasingly a testament to my stubborn faith that these 
lenses are worth it.  Now, mostly awake, I'll be relieved to have any 
DMR in my hands anytime next year.

I was shooting a pair of yellow robins most of the weekend, as they 
nested for the second time.  Persistent rains after drought and 
bushfires have prompted a stunning display of nature recovering.  I was 
using all my techniques to counter vibration with slow shutter speeds 
as the sun was repeatedly stolen away by thunderclouds, trying to get 
the shot of the male bringing yummy grubs to the female, lying on the 
eggs.  How good would it be to see that in the frames that I shot, some 
in bursts, I have the one I'm looking for?  These days I'm reasonably 
confident about exposure, composition and perhaps flash balance, where 
used.  But I have to wait for the processing to confirm that I got the 
focus right, on the eye of the male as he's offering up the goodies.

Reviewing shots will be an interesting pastime while waiting for nature 
and will also be a form of focus confirmation.  That's one down.  Image 
stabilising is well off for Leica I feel so I'll put that away for 
future dreams.  And so the question becomes, will the DMR have enough 
pixels to convince me to stop my demons from laughing at me as I hand 
over my credit card?