Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/09/16

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Subject: [Leica] R-Series Owners Stranded?
From: steve.barbour at gmail.com (Steve Barbour)
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:48:36 -0700
References: <58400.1253156962@afirkin.com>

On Sep 16, 2009, at 8:09 PM, Alastair Firkin wrote:

> Like you I too am feeling a bit "left in the lurch". I can  
> understand Leica's
> decision, but I'm not "happy" about it.
> The DMR was a good compromise and mine still works well, but it  
> needs an
> "update". Leica's S Daniel said at the launch of the M9 that Leica  
> could not
> continue "swimming with the sharks" ie Nikon and Canon, but he did  
> not rule out R
> solutions in the future. In reality I think we are "in trouble". I  
> have not
> decided what to do, but clearly the choice will be S2 at huge expense.


geeze, I'm going into Radiology in Australia,

Steve


> Stick with
> the DMR at no cost (for me) Canon or Nikon body mixing lenses, or  
> return to FILM!!!
>
> cheers from Ballarat
>
> Alastair Firkin
> www.afirkin.com
>
> On Thu Sep 17 12:45 , Leonard J Kapner <kapner at earthlink.net> sent:
>
>> Forgive me if this issue has been raised and discussed to conclusion,
>> but I'm at a point with my photography where this question is of
>> importance to me.
>>
>> I am a long-time Leica user and fine art photographer, working
>> primarily outdoors in the always fluid margin between civilization  
>> and
>> nature. I have an M9 on order. I chose to order it after dithering  
>> for
>> several years on a digital body to complement My M7 and full range of
>> lenses. I think I am glad I waited and have little doubt that I will
>> be pleased with my choice, for certain kinds of photography I enjoy
>> that are not in my "kill" zone.
>>
>> But I also have a significant investment in R-series: Several M8s and
>> a range of prime lenses from 18-280mm. I was very happy a while back
>> when a Leica factory executive mentioned an R10 in development, only
>> to learn less than a year later that it had been decommitted. I have
>> tested the DMR solution extensively and find it clumsy, obsolescent
>> and wanting.
>>
>> Now, I understand there is recently available an adapter line for
>> current Canon and Nikon full-frame bodies, as well as a Novoflex
>> solution to mate Leica lenses to micro/3rds format that preserves
>> aperture priority automation when used with Panasonic reflex digital
>> bodies. And there are rumors of some sort of subterranean project
>> involving Leica in the works, to bring us a full-frame reflex  
>> solution
>> that takes full advantage of the hard-coded R-series lenses.
>>
>> To my mind, a solution of the best kind would be a Leica-designed  
>> full-
>> frame digital body, with all the functionality of the film R9, plus
>> focus confirmation. To use my R-series lenses to full advantage in  
>> the
>> kind of photography I enjoy most, I think I need little else.
>>
>> To our expert commentators and Leica watchers on the list, what do  
>> you
>> think is the most likely probability for the R-series, going forward?
>> And if it's not a Leica-based solution, what's next best?
>>
>> If you prefer, responses off line also would be welcome.
>>
>> Len Kapner
>> kapner at earthlink.net
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information



In reply to: Message from afirkin at afirkin.com (Alastair Firkin) ([Leica] R-Series Owners Stranded?)