July 2 Leica Newsletter

[wbabbott3]

The new, July 2, 2008 Leica Newsletter includes a lead to a web site:
The LEICA M8 rangefinder system: Fast, sharp, pinpoint focusing
that contains this language under the topic "So sharp" about the M8:

"The Leica M8 rangefinder system sets it apart from all other SLR and compact cameras. Its built-in, high-speed, high-precision distance meter creates beautifully sharp pictures whatever the focal length and speed of the lens."

Wow! I never knew that! I can't find the "distance meter" on my M8. And the phrase "other SLR... cameras" implies that the M8 is an SLR.

Can someone please explain what this means? Are the advertising copy writers out of control? Is it a matter of translation?

Thanks,

Bill

[dpattinson]

Originally Posted by wbabbott3

The new, July 2, 2008 Leica Newsletter includes a lead to a web site:
The LEICA M8 rangefinder system: Fast, sharp, pinpoint focusing
that contains this language under the topic "So sharp" about the M8:

"The Leica M8 rangefinder system sets it apart from all other SLR and compact cameras. Its built-in, high-speed, high-precision distance meter creates beautifully sharp pictures whatever the focal length and speed of the lens."

Wow! I never knew that! I can't find the "distance meter" on my M8. And the phrase "other SLR... cameras" implies that the M8 is an SLR.

Can someone please explain what this means? Are the advertising copy writers out of control? Is it a matter of translation?

Thanks,

Bill

I expect that 'distance meter' is an attempt to avoid using the term rangefinder a second time in the paragraph - possibly also an attempt to give readers who don't know what a rangefinder is a gentle hint.

I'm not sure I agree that 'other SLR and compact cameras' implies the M is an SLR, as the inclusion of 'and compact cameras' suggests a list of classifications of other types of camera. Slightly rephrased it could read 'other cameras (SLR and compact)', however I think the original phrasing is much more readable.

On the other hand, B&H calls the M a DSLR: SLR Digital Cameras | B&H Photo Video
while flickr says point-and-shoot: Flickr: Camera Finder: Leica: M8

[marknorton]

In the interests of brevity, the bit they missed out was...

"The Leica M8 rangefinder system sets it apart from all other SLR and compact cameras. Its built-in, high-speed, high-precision distance meter creates beautifully sharp pictures whatever the focal length and speed of the lens, providing, of course, we bothered to set your camera and lenses up correctly at the factory and they haven't gone out of alignment in the meantime."

[dpattinson]

Originally Posted by marknorton

In the interests of brevity, the bit they missed out was...

"The Leica M8 rangefinder system sets it apart from all other SLR and compact cameras. Its built-in, high-speed, high-precision distance meter creates beautifully sharp pictures whatever the focal length and speed of the lens, providing, of course, we bothered to set your camera and lenses up correctly at the factory and they haven't gone out of alignment in the meantime."

haha... not at all, despite any misalignment some part of the image will definitely be beautifully sharp... just like my broken watch is exactly correct twice a day

[Dan States]

Originally Posted by wbabbott3

The new, July 2, 2008 Leica Newsletter includes a lead to a web site:
The LEICA M8 rangefinder system: Fast, sharp, pinpoint focusing
that contains this language under the topic "So sharp" about the M8:

"The Leica M8 rangefinder system sets it apart from all other SLR and compact cameras. Its built-in, high-speed, high-precision distance meter creates beautifully sharp pictures whatever the focal length and speed of the lens."

Wow! I never knew that! I can't find the "distance meter" on my M8. And the phrase "other SLR... cameras" implies that the M8 is an SLR.

Can someone please explain what this means? Are the advertising copy writers out of control? Is it a matter of translation?

Thanks,

Bill

A rangefinder is a distance meter.

They are comparing the M8 to the alternatives, compact and SLR cameras...

It all seems pretty clear to me.