Leica R10: Any ideas?

[craigrmurray]

Wow! Great to see this thread revived. Can't believe I started it way back in November after I and everyone else was bumming out on the M(agenta)8.

I think they should call it the SLD. Having double digits after a letter like R10 and SL10 makes it sound like too many attempts to get it right (which is true, in a way, like WD-40 took 40 re-formulations to get it right). Then, in five years, someone on the forum can start a thread musing on the SLD-2, etc.

Seriously, it would be nice if the timetable were accelerated to having something before Photokina 2008, but we all know that's not going to happen. What with all the M8 problems and the new PanaLeica compacts, Leica's plate is pretty full right now.

And to anticipate Doug Herr's next post, yes, the SLD/R10 should have a viewfinder that equals the SL/SL2's.

[telyt]

Originally Posted by craigrmurray

... to anticipate Doug Herr's next post, yes, the SLD/R10 should have a viewfinder that equals the SL/SL2's.

I'm restraining myself so that people don't get too tired of me repeating it

[craigrmurray]

Doug:

Restraint is for AF photogs who need focus confirmation, not guys like us who shoot 560s on rifle stocks.

[zapp]

Originally Posted by john_f

Craig,


So, if you have any suggestions as to what YOU would like (or not like) to see in a future Leica D-SLR (let's call it the "R10"...), feel free to contribute your two cents.

I want a monochrome camera on the site of the must have color camera. No RGB stupidity, no color filters infront of the sensor, higher ISO native ISO rating and much cleaner images - yes it has no color, but ever since the Kodak DCS 760m was discontinued (did they really make them), we lack a monochomre camera. That would be a perfect Leica niche. Especially nice also for scientific photography. Image stabilization would be a nice in camera feature for photography, but not the thing I want for scientific photography - please skip AF and in camera stabilization.
All other features are determined by the marked. Close to FF, one body no camera back, decent sensor specs, ... and btw. update a couple primes, so I feel like investing in the R System is still worth it.

[Riley]

if Carsten is right, and nothing has been decided, who knows, what you write may have an impact.

I think focus confirmation is an excellent suggestion
a large roomy bright finder with Led driven shooting data
weather sealed body with full metal chassis, full shielding
large LCD with LiveView if the sensor heat permits
FF of course, with microlenses, barely there AA filter
fully observable top deck controls,
with shutter speed dial, iso wheel at the rewind position, WB selector wheel
integrated Metz flash compatibility
two film cards and a card selector
generic capacious battery
grip with Metz mount, extra trigger and battery
use doors instead of rubber bung covers
command override depress button, so the camera shoots now no matter what, no delay
large RAW buffer, 10 frames minimum
select 3x2, 4x3, 16x9 framing

[craigrmurray]

Originally Posted by zapp

I want a monochrome camera on the site of the must have color camera. No RGB stupidity, no color filters infront of the sensor, higher ISO native ISO rating and much cleaner images - yes it has no color...

Zapp:

I'd also like a monochrome camera, but my choice, for the way I work, it would be a rangefinder B&W-only. Either camera would be such a niche item that I don't think anyone will make one, unless Leica offered it as an "a la carte" program. And still, I think they'd be more likely to do this for the rangefinder and not the reflex.

Why? The R series is a more complete system camera than the rangefinder's, what with a lens range from 15mm to 800mm, macro capability, more flash options, potentially faster motor, to name just a few [I know from this forum that there's a small Visoflex revival going on, but let's face it, the SLR concept is more practicable -- otherwise, we might as well design our cars and appliances to Eisenhower-era specs (probably not a bad idea in many instances). Leica was so slow to get on the SLR bandwagon back in the '60s, it almost ruined the company]. And because of this, the capability of rendering color seems almost obligatory, esp. since it's so easy with digital capture's post-process to change images to grayscale.

But one can always dream, can't one?

Live long and prosper.

Craig

[carstenw]

Originally Posted by telyt

I'm restraining myself so that people don't get too tired of me repeating it

Shouldn't that be a focusing screen like the SL? I am trying to recall what you said about the special screen in that camera... I had the opportunity to look through a mint SL2, and it was good, but I guess the SL is better?

[craigrmurray]

Carsten:

Look on pages 5 and 6 of this thread for the SL/SL2 discussion between Doug Herr and me, particularly posts 92, 105, 109, 111-114. This might help.

Live long and prosper,

Craig

[carstenw]

Originally Posted by telyt

Pretty much. The apparent viewing distance is different. I have to use a +0.5 dioipter correction lens with the SL2, R4 and my Nikons, no diopter correction nessesary for the SL. I prefer the SL's microprism screen to the SL2/s split-image focussing aid so I had the SL screen installed in my SL2 bodies. The SL's apparent viewing distance seems to have been designed for old farts like me. With the correct diopter I find the SL2 as quick and easy to focus as the SL.

Doug, do you prefer the SL2 with an SL focusing screen, it being the more modern camera? How easy is it to do this swap?

[carstenw]

Originally Posted by craigrmurray

Carsten:

Look on pages 5 and 6 of this thread for the SL/SL2 discussion between Doug Herr and me, particularly posts 92, 105, 109, 111-114. This might help.

Live long and prosper,

Craig

Thanks Craig, that was exactly what I was looking for. I recalled that microprism comment wrt. the SL.

[hamey]

Got some information this week on the R 10.

Don't know how true, but very interesting.

1.... It will be full frame.
2.....A combination of Manual and a New range of Auto Focus R lenses,
Auto focus system (Honeywell Space age technology)......And the R10 will have other goodies DESIGNED FOR SERIES PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Looks like the R system will be back on top were it should be.

So I hope it's true.


Cheers.

[Riley]

you got this from where Ken ?

[hamey]

Hi Rob.

I would love to tell you, but that would only expose them.

They are adamant that the R10 will be a beauty.


Ken

[garyp]

Well heck, I was kinda hoping the R10 would actually be an all manual film version
of the R9.
No bells and whistles, just rough and tumble toughness, just the basics.
Am I serious...yep.

[sdai]

AF is fine as long as older lenses can be used. Guys, let's face it ... we are getting old but to run a successful business, Leica needs to move on, kids will know better to deal with front or back focus.

[guy_mancuso]

Originally Posted by hamey

Got some information this week on the R 10.

Don't know how true, but very interesting.

1.... It will be full frame.
2.....A combination of Manual and a New range of Auto Focus R lenses,
Auto focus system (Honeywell Space age technology)......And the R10 will have other goodies DESIGNED FOR SERIES PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Looks like the R system will be back on top were it should be.

So I hope it's true.


Cheers.

Hell i worked for Honeywell for 15 years as the chief photographer , they stole all my idea's. LOL

Just kidding, Honeywell is involved Hmmm I still have a few birdies there. LOL

[sdai]

Originally Posted by guy_mancuso

Honeywell is involved Hmmm I still have a few birdies there. LOL

But you're already directly hooked up with Solms ... LOL

[guy_mancuso]

Solms is telling me nothing. LOL

I want the real dirt. ROTFLMAO

[craigrmurray]

Originally Posted by hamey

...A combination of Manual and a New range of Auto Focus R lenses,
Auto focus system (Honeywell Space age technology)

I wonder what that range of lenses would be? Kinda depend on whether it's full-frame or not.

Live long and well,

Craig

[sdai]

Ken already said it's full frame.