Guy,
The Imacon firmware writes to a given technical infrastructure or API for the concrete electrical wiring in the DM-R.
To have Jenoptik replace that they would have to completely rewrite the software, in addition because Imacon have copyright for the current firmware. Jenoptik would have to start from scratch. Bearing in mind that the writing of the firmware was the main culprit in the delayed launch date of the DM-R I would think not.
However, I do see your point and the change in firmware vendor on the part of Leica wasn't made by them voluntarily but due to the merger between Imacon/Hasselblad.
A different and probably more valid reason is that the limited resources of Leica is stretched out completely to meet the Photokina deadline, so they have had to prioritize the M8 over the R line, which makes a lot of sense. The M8 will either make or break Leicacan
However, there were comforting remarks from Spichtig. The appointment of a development manager from Nokia, shows that top management has fully grapsed that building electronic products is a very different beast compared to building primarily mechanical products. Coming from the mobile phone business he knows that in the electonic world products have a dramatically shortened life cycle. I think we should prepare for a dramatic increase in product innovations from Leica
Also not that they are investing in a clean room! Now I don't see why you would need that just in order to assemble electronic circuits, uhm...
In addition Dalsa has just completed a 111mp CCD sensor as a custom development for the US navy. So Dalsa could be enlisted to build the new 16-24mp FF sensor for the R10 or the next version of M8/DM-R mk II
I think a second version of DM-R with a 14-16mp CCD sensor, perhaps 16+ A/D converter could easily be made with Jenoptik supplying the firmware.
Interesting times
Tim