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Voigtlander Digital?


jsrockit

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js, I think Imants' reply is equivalent to "yes."

 

There are rumors that Zeiss will bring out a digital rangefinder, and that Nikon will. The possibility, I'm sure, is one reason that the Kodak sensor in the M9 is proprietary, even though Leica allowed Kodak to sell the M8 chip to anyone who wanted it.

 

They're all savvy companies, and we'll see what we see. :)

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jsrockit I wouldn't want to remove the stick seeing you use it as a plug:D

 

I hear ya... I like it where it is thank you. Ok, so there are rumors of all of these manufactuers making digital rangefinders? I've been away from photography for 10 years and just got back into it, so I wasn't sure. My most comfortable cameras were always rangefinders (M6, Contax G1, etc). Unfortunately, I don't want to shell out the cash for an M9 and I'm not big on the crop factor of the M8. A lower priced, fullframe alternative would be great... as I'm sure many would think. Leica's are no doubt the finest, but I can make do with another brand.

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...There are rumors that Zeiss will bring out a digital rangefinder, and that Nikon will. The possibility, I'm sure, is one reason that the Kodak sensor in the M9 is proprietary...

Why would they use a Kodak sensor, the last Sony sounds great no?

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If it happens (not entirely impossible) I think Panasonic will come up first with a digital RF. Look at the big strides they took lately (LX-3, G1, GH1...), and more importantly their latest, the GF1.

 

The GF1 still seems like a panasonic point and shoot with the ability to change lenses. I'd like to see shutter speed dials on the body, aperatures on the lens, a built in true rangefinder / viewfinder, no scene modes, no video, no convoluted menus, no crop factor, etc... just something a bit more serious.

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I'd like to see shutter speed dials on the body, aperatures on the lens, a built in true rangefinder / viewfinder, no scene modes, no video, no convoluted menus, no crop factor, etc... just something a bit more serious.

 

Like the Epson RD-2 then?

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Like the Epson RD-2 then?

 

I'd be ok with that. I just fathom putting down $7000 on an M9. If someone could come along and do a full frame D-Rangefinder for $3000 or less, I think it could work for me and a few other cheapskates. :)

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Well, the issue with digital is that it requires a big infrastructure compared to film cameras, especially something like the C/V Bessas, that are basically 1980's technology. Very tough environment for a small company, as we see with Leica - which has partners out the wazoo (Kodak, Jenoptik, Panasonic) and still struggles.

 

Another digital RF in the arena would just mean two companies losing money, instead of one barely making it.

 

Even for the bigger manufacturers (read CNS) it would be a vanity play - something that doesn't lose too much money and is kinda cool and different. I could see Nikon putting out a Contax-G-like RF with SLR-style retrofocus lenses (no need for special sensor) and a limited lens line: 24 f/2.8, 35 f/2, 50 f/2, 85 f/2.8 (maybe f/2). Not M-mount. Myabe not even full-frame, since there would be no "legacy" lenses, in which case the lenses could be closer to M size for equivalent FoV (16, 24, 35, 60 at above apertures)

 

Probably not until the economy sorts out a bit, though.

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Even for the bigger manufacturers (read CNS) it would be a vanity play - something that doesn't lose too much money and is kinda cool and different. I could see Nikon putting out a Contax-G-like RF with SLR-style retrofocus lenses (no need for special sensor) and a limited lens line: 24 f/2.8, 35 f/2, 50 f/2, 85 f/2.8 (maybe f/2). Not M-mount. Myabe not even full-frame, since there would be no "legacy" lenses, in which case the lenses could be closer to M size for equivalent FoV (16, 24, 35, 60 at above apertures)

 

Probably not until the economy sorts out a bit, though.

 

I can see this as well.

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Well, Epson WAS the infrastructure as far as the R-D1 was concerned. All Cosina did was build half a mechanical Bessa, which Epson then took delivery of, named, installed sensors in, profiled, firmwared, tested, finished, marketed, and supported.

 

No Epson - no digital.

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