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leicar7 · 10/29/06, 01:37 PM

I'm a dope, having not thought that, of course, "It's the diagonal, stupid!" for measuring the diameter of the image circle.

But, I agree that the desireability of a 31x31 sensor is unlikely, and I wouldn't buy one. If there is to be a larger sensor, it seems to me that the camera would have to have a switch to carve out a 24x36 portion when desired. I like 24x36 and don't have any reason to spend bucks on a whole new line of lenses and have to translate focal lengths to and from the 35mm equivalents.

If there has to be a larger sensor, my vote would be for 36x36, with a switch to select at least the square, and 24x36 vertical and horizontal formats. Other formats might be fit in, too.

Do users of the R and other SLRs really expect, though, that a larger sensor would be cool enough to bring N and C users to the R?

A larger sensor will require major changes to several aspects of the camera, and may obsolete some of the utility of existing lenses. For instance, wouldn't a larger sensor require a larger diameter lens mount? If so, would existing lenses be adaptable and maintain the aperture, ROM, and metering functions?

In other words, do we really want Leica inventing a new format between MF and 35mm?

This is not the era of Oscar Barnack, when there were no portable, multishot, small format cameras. It seems to me that across all formats, smallest to largest, there is a plethora of choice already, and a new format will be just one more among dozens.

What would it take for an R10 to appeal not only to existing users, but also to attract new users? FF sensor is one. Focus verification, or AF are other things some folks want (I personally am anti AF, because most of the pros I know don't use it except in very specific circumstances, and they focus manually on those lousy viewfinder screens.) (FV, maybe,... but the electronics for FV are almost as voluminous and for AF.)
One advantage I think Leica should exploit with their digital professional cameras is the simplicity of their controls, compared to many of the other makes. What suggestions might other forum readers have?

This is a rather important time for the R system and R users, because it is transition time. Should Leica go all out, as the rumor mill is speculating, and do something radically NEW? Or would a more conservative new FF camera be attractive to new users as well as current ones?

Not only am I interested in your ideas, but I would ask you to communicate them to Maike Harberts, the R system manager, or to Stefan Daniel. Leica needs to hear from the greatest possible number of current or potential R users about what you want from an all digital R camera and what you want in new R lenses.

Take care,
Tom Campbell

10/29/06, 01:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
leicar7 Benutzer Join Date: 09/25/02 Posts: 83	Re: Future of the R system I'm a dope, having not thought that, of course, "It's the diagonal, stupid!" for measuring the diameter of the image circle. But, I agree that the desireability of a 31x31 sensor is unlikely, and I wouldn't buy one. If there is to be a larger sensor, it seems to me that the camera would have to have a switch to carve out a 24x36 portion when desired. I like 24x36 and don't have any reason to spend bucks on a whole new line of lenses and have to translate focal lengths to and from the 35mm equivalents. If there has to be a larger sensor, my vote would be for 36x36, with a switch to select at least the square, and 24x36 vertical and horizontal formats. Other formats might be fit in, too. Do users of the R and other SLRs really expect, though, that a larger sensor would be cool enough to bring N and C users to the R? A larger sensor will require major changes to several aspects of the camera, and may obsolete some of the utility of existing lenses. For instance, wouldn't a larger sensor require a larger diameter lens mount? If so, would existing lenses be adaptable and maintain the aperture, ROM, and metering functions? In other words, do we really want Leica inventing a new format between MF and 35mm? This is not the era of Oscar Barnack, when there were no portable, multishot, small format cameras. It seems to me that across all formats, smallest to largest, there is a plethora of choice already, and a new format will be just one more among dozens. What would it take for an R10 to appeal not only to existing users, but also to attract new users? FF sensor is one. Focus verification, or AF are other things some folks want (I personally am anti AF, because most of the pros I know don't use it except in very specific circumstances, and they focus manually on those lousy viewfinder screens.) (FV, maybe,... but the electronics for FV are almost as voluminous and for AF.) One advantage I think Leica should exploit with their digital professional cameras is the simplicity of their controls, compared to many of the other makes. What suggestions might other forum readers have? This is a rather important time for the R system and R users, because it is transition time. Should Leica go all out, as the rumor mill is speculating, and do something radically NEW? Or would a more conservative new FF camera be attractive to new users as well as current ones? Not only am I interested in your ideas, but I would ask you to communicate them to Maike Harberts, the R system manager, or to Stefan Daniel. Leica needs to hear from the greatest possible number of current or potential R users about what you want from an all digital R camera and what you want in new R lenses. Take care, Tom Campbell