[Leica] Motor wind and shooting style

[bruent at shaw.ca (Bruce)]

>> Well, yes, but the Motor-M sort of "expands" the M body's
>> already lovely and somewhat compact dimensions. Why not
>> just build it into the body?<<<
>
> ...
> There isn't any room to do so without completely changing the size of 
> the
> body. I don't know if you were around during the "size frustrations"  
> when
> folks were having fits over the, I think M6TTL and it was 1 mm higher 
> body.
> The re-actions by some were like the body size had been changed by an 
> inch.

With the Hexar Konica got a motor into a body very close in size and 
proportion to an M series Leica, so I expect it would possible with 
substantial mechanical redesign inside. Aside from cost there would be 
the risk (probability) of changing elements of how the camera operates- 
for example the feel, response and sound of shutter release, the option 
of manual wind and so on, any of which might not be popular with many 
of Leica's traditional(ist) customers. I'm not surprised Leica has not 
done it. For those who want a winder they have the traditional add-on 
an option (though I find this altogether less attractive as motorized 
solution  than the Hexar- it seems bulky and action feels crude 
compared to the refined manual wind M or auto-wind Hexar). I expect 
Leica (or Zeiss) would have more interest now in developing a digital 
than a new film camera with integrated motor wind.