rosuna

Yes.

I don't know if it is easy or not, but the idea is to preserve the M mount and distance to sensor. Around this common base you can build two different systems with partial interchangeability of lenses. You may have a EVIL based system with AF lenses, or a classical rangefinder system with manual focus lenses. You can also use MF lenses on the AF system, or the AF lenses on the rangefinder system (using the accessory EVF and manual focusing). On the other hand, the EVF would expand the possibilities of the rangefinder system, by allowing the use of "native" M mount macro lenses, wide angle lenses (current optical accessory viewfinders also override the viewfinder of the camera, isn't?), tele lenses, or R lenses with adapter.

A new system developed from scratch, without mirror, also requires an adapter for R lenses anyway, because the mount to sensor distance is too large in reflex systems.

The problem, as I see it, is a legacy reflex system with a too large mount to sensor distance (a mirror based system, and therefore a system with large lenses, and bodies), and a rangefinder system with a too short mount to sensor distance (and this means many technical problems, and therefore high costs), and they need a new system, based on the future possibilities, not past legacy. Therefore, they can develop a new separate system, or develop a new system connected to the M system, and exploit the synergies.

The M cameras need a revision of the electronic system anyway. CMOS sensors are very likely for the next model. Even Daniel is openly considering this possibility, and the Leica X1 has a CMOS sensor and Leica praises its low noise and high image quality.

The only problem with this strategy I can imagine is due to technical problems related to the (too) small mount to sensor distance of the M system.

The connection of the EVF and the camera isn't on the hot shoe, not for the Ricoh, the Olympus or the Panasonic. It is on a special separate port. The basic technology used by Ricoh or Olympus seems to be from Epson (Seiko). I don't say it is easy, or doable (considering japanese companies are very reluctant to "sell" sensible technology to non-japanese companies), but Leica has to solve similar technical problems, one way or another. Leica has problems even for getting high resolution LCD screens... so I am not very optimistic for the short term.

hoppyman

In a recent interview, I think it was Stefan Daniel who said 'the M is our heart'. Can't say it any better than that.

__________________
Geoff

Leica already has a CEO & business plan.
May we see your photographs?

http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman

GreyCoupe

Andreas,

Thank you for sharing this information with us. Please let Leica know that we eagerly await any one of the three solutions they forecast for R lens owners.

__________________
I'm just waiting on a[n R]10...

GreyCoupe

Geoff,
They may indeed have the 'M in [their] heart', I just have my R lenses somewhere else, and there is very little light there, no sunshine at all.

__________________
I'm just waiting on a[n R]10...

leicapages

Well... I would expect a digital solution for the R series to be a true R camera, with 2010-like specifications:
- full frame 24x36 sensor
- no autofocus needed, but at least focus assist with existing manual R lenses
- no adaptor or whatever to use R lenses, but full compatibility without limitations
- focusing, viewfinder etc as in traditional R8/9 cameras - no exclusive use of an LCD display for focusing and no electronic viewfinder

If not, I will pass on.
Pascal

__________________
Pascal
http://www.leicapages.com
http://www.rolleiflexpages.com