photokina - Your Questions To Leica

[wbabbott3]

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What's the digital solution for R lenses?

 

I believe we have Leica management's answer, loud and clear: Leica is taking what can be called the Zero Option, i.e., they will say nothing and doing nothing, leaving us to our own devices. Good luck to all..

 

Bill

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[UliWer]

...

I'm not in their shoes, but I would envision a simple comment - 'for those of you expressing interest in the progress of an R solution, we want you to know we are working towards that end yet we understand that you, as enthusiastic supporters the R system and Leica desire to hear more, we will continue to do our best to keep your interests in hand as we move forward, thank you,,,,,,'. ...

 

.

 

Well, that's almost exactly what they said. Dr. Kaufmann adding that he himself has a lot of R-lenses in the cupboard which he would like to use on a digital body.

 

At the same time they were clear about being not able to develop and to produce another DSLR-system and that they would not again make the mistake of prematurely announcing anything they are not sure yet when and in which precise form they will bring it on the market.

[Wolfgang Esslinger]

I think it was quite an honour to us that not just the product specialists but also Dr. Kaufmann and Mr. Schopf took the time to answer questions. Andreas took notes so he will have all the details.

 

My personal impression is that after so many disappointing years Leica has been totally surprised by the demand for products like the M9. And I can imagine that it is very difficult to estimate that demand. The success of the M9 (14.000 have been sold in 10months, an amount planned for 2 years, according to an article in the German business magazine, Brand eins, Oct issue) has led to unexpected demand for lenses. So this is the reason why Leica have a backlog there as well. This also means that the development of new lenses takes a lower priority. Quite sensible.

 

As far as the R-solution is concerned, I can also only give my personal impression. I understand that so far the solution is not around the corner. I also understand that there will be an X-2 with interchangeable lenses on which current lenses can be used, though to me it is not clear if that means FT-lenses, M-lenses or R-lenses (with adapter). It will not be full format because then it would jeorpardize the M9. If a new camera is ready we can expect a lead information time of about 2-3 months because things can go wrong very late in the development phase.

 

As I said, this is my personal takeout of the meeting, and it may be totally wrong. But until I get further information that will be my base for planning future purchases.

[wlaidlaw]

Enough is enough. My next purchase will be Zeiss.

 

....but remember how Zeiss left us former Contax users in the poo. No successors to CX/N/G cameras for digital. Please don't mention the dreadful ND, which only worked at ISO50. I bit the bullet and sold all my CX/Y stuff (RTS2, RX and 8 lenses) and G (G2 and 6 lenses) before the bottom dropped out of the market in 2004. After a lot of thinking, I then decided to go back to my first love and Leica, buying a Digilux 2, while waiting for a digital M to come out, rather than going the DSLR route.

 

I think it is safest to assume that commercial interests will always prevail and that no companies feel any loyalty whatsoever to their clientele. They are simply consumers/cash providers and nothing more. Companies have always traded on customer loyalty but it is foolish to expect this to be reciprocated.

 

I feel sorry for those who invested heavily in R equipment, like I did in Contax but it may be time that you moved on or accepted the limitations of using conversion mounts etc on non-Leica cameras.

 

Wilson

[Guest imported_torben]

I think it was quite an honour to us that not just the product specialists but also Dr. Kaufmann and Mr. Schopf took the time to answer questions.

 

Did they allow you to be seated?

[Wolfgang Esslinger]

Did they allow you to be seated?

 

They even provided drinks...

[veraikon]

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....but remember how Zeiss left us former Contax users in the poo. No successors to CX/N/G cameras for digital. Please don't mention the dreadful ND, which only worked at ISO50. I bit the bullet and sold all my CX/Y stuff (RTS2, RX and 8 lenses) and G (G2 and 6 lenses) before the bottom dropped out of the market in 2004. ...

Wilson, as I see we are "Leidensgenossen"

 

[ PS: BTW the label " Contax" is falling back next January from Kyocera to Carl Zeiss ]

[giordano]

....but remember how Zeiss left us former Contax users in the poo.

 

...not to mention having done the same thing to Contax IIa/IIIa users in the 1960s and Contarex users in the 70s.

[lct]

...not to mention having done the same thing to Contax IIa/IIIa users in the 1960s and Contarex users in the 70s.

Let alone Canon but they did not say that they had a 'solution'.

[farnz]

Let alone Canon but they did not say that they had a 'solution'.

Well, strictly speaking, neither did Leica.

 

Pete.

[LUF Admin]

Hi,

sorry for not answering here yesterday - a photokina week takes its tribute and I needed some hours of rest and sleep

 

As said I took notes during the meeting while also moderating and keeping an eye on the audience for new questions. Thus I have lot of notes but I need some time to go through them and to check with Leica if I understood everything correctly.

 

So I'm guessing it was "no comment" regarding the R solution then?

 

But are they even working on one is the question. We don't even know that much.

 

We talked about the R-solution (it was the first topic as I know about the importance).

Stefan Daniel said "We are working on a solution" - so I hope I'm able to answer your questions with this.

 

The Leica management didn't say anything regarding time lines, Mr. Schopf several times pointed out that quality and keeping promises they give is most important for Leica.

 

I personally was impressed by several facts:

- That the new CEO and the owner of Leica as well as the whole product management took two hours of their time during the most important fair for the company

- That they several detailed explanations of how some of the past problems are caused

- The deep knowledge of Mr Schopf regarding technical details and the Leica products - give that he is CEO for four week

- How open they talked to us - and listened.

 

Regards

Andreas

[wlaidlaw]

...not to mention having done the same thing to Contax IIa/IIIa users in the 1960s and Contarex users in the 70s.

 

At least thanks to the good Amadeo, we can now use our nice Contax II/III lenses on Leica M's.

 

Wilson

[mooky]

Well, that's almost exactly what they said. Dr. Kaufmann adding that he himself has a lot of R-lenses in the cupboard which he would like to use on a digital body.

 

At the same time they were clear about being not able to develop and to produce another DSLR-system and that they would not again make the mistake of prematurely announcing anything they are not sure yet when and in which precise form they will bring it on the market.

 

Thank you for your post - I know I've come out as one of the more passionate proponents of Leica being more 'out front' and it's good to hear that Dr. Kaufmann has a lot of R lenses - that me makes a bit more confident that he truly understands R user 'pains' in waiting for some type of digital R solution. I know for any company to have it's owners/executives address a 'member meeting' Q&A is uncommon, but it's too bad that they feel as though they can't make little updates every 6 months or so - which in essence they have through meetings - instead, maybe a simple 'press release/update'.

 

I think it's smart of them not get into a DSLR style product - I still think a 'bridge camera will be what they bring - using some type of hybrid M mount that with a new type of finder, an adapter for R lenses, allow the use of legacy M glass, and some new type of lenses, perhaps AF, and my guess is they will 'keep on keeping on' with the M rangefinder. When I use my SL2mot and motor I can't help at times think what a great FF DSLR design profile it would have made - utter simplicity - I think the R8 and R9 were very close to it. But I've always felt that the design of the SL/SL2 series was the classic R of Leicas' SLR legacy as the M is 'classic' still today. Oh well, here's to hoping that what they come up with will have that same appeal and classic simplicity....of both.

[Steen]

 

[ PS: BTW the label " Contax" is falling back next January from Kyocera to Carl Zeiss ]

 

 

What ...

veraikon, do you have a source of this information ?

Or any links for more information on this ?

And please tell us more if you know some more.

Very interesting ...

[zeitz]

It's so nice the could spare two hours to talk to their customers every two years. May we remind them of the number of hours of labor it takes us to just buy one of their products? But I hate to be a burden on their time. Or even expect them to answer their customers burning questions at all.

[andybarton]

Senior Management at Leica also make time to come to other forum meetings - two of them in Hessenpark to my knowledge.

 

Let's wait until Andreas has had a chance to put together his report. He has already confirmed that Stefan Daniel confirms that Leica are working on a solution to the R users' issue.

[sdai]

Let alone Canon but they did not say that they had a 'solution'.

 

Canon did have a solution to allow you use the FD lenses on EOS bodies, now the adapter has become real collector item - try find one in pristine condition. :-)

[mooky]

Canon did have a solution to allow you use the FD lenses on EOS bodies, now the adapter has become real collector item - try find one in pristine condition. :-)

 

I had the EOS 1n bodies for a while, but I never heard of, or saw the adapter - that would have made me stay with it (pehaps) a while longer as I had known a few freelancers then that spoke highly of some the L series FD lenses,,,,,,,interesting.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[rosuna]

I would like to thanks Leica and the administrator and moderators (and other collaborators) of this forum for this work. I am anxiously waiting for the final document.

[Nicoleica]

Canon did have a solution to allow you use the FD lenses on EOS bodies, now the adapter has become real collector item - try find one in pristine condition. :-)

 

Amazon are listing these, and $30 doesn't seem too expensive.

 

Amazon.com: Adorama Canon FD Lens/EOS Body Adapter: Camera & Photo