Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Flatline
Rangefinders are harder to use than SLRs. It's that simple.....
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This would be heresy on the M8 Forum; the currently configured traditional 'M' viewfinder is an anachronism to
most people wanting to interchange focal length lenses on a camera. The 'rangefinder' aspect of 'M' cameras is not the issue, it's the framing in the viewfinder by broken lines, the intrusive paired frame-lines, the mass of wasted space around the frame with anything longer than a 28-mm lens, the absurd inaccuracy caused by frame-lines set to closest focus distance. Some of these aspects are loved by other M8 owners, but not by me, and I suspect these design
'qualities' are extremely alienating to generations of photographers used to zoom lens convenience.
My private wish was for Leica to drop the 'R' line [apologies to those who would be affected], and produce a contemporary viewfinder with some limited zoom capability for easier framing upwards of 28-mm, perhaps electronic frame-lines as discussed elsewhere, if possible a menu option to make opaque the area outside of the frame-lines, and a built in dioptre adjustment for the viewfinder. With resources freed from former 'R' commitments. A 'modern' version viewfinder could be developed in tandem with the 'traditional' option to give a customer choice.
Of course I don't think any of the above is going to happen, and the 'M' will struggle to attract the larger market they need. A lot around here are expecting a new 'R' line so I expect the resources of the company will again be stretched too thinly to give the 'M' the boost I think it needs.
The rangefinder camera as in the M8 configuration is in danger, but I actually think the lens design advantages for rangefinder cameras and the cameras' and lenses scale advantages have enormous potential for a greater popularity. I am very optimistic about the potential, whether Leica will grab that challenge is another matter.
................. Chris