gdb Posted January 25, 2007 Share #1 Posted January 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Information read on another forum: "Stephen Gandy (Cameraquest) has posted a message on the LUC list to indicate that a reliable source has informed him that Leica will remove support for the Leica R Modul in the near future. Any comment? Chris (potential DMR buyer)" Has anybody got some details about this? Gérard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 25, 2007 Posted January 25, 2007 Hi gdb, Take a look here DMR survival. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
salvi Posted January 25, 2007 Share #2 Posted January 25, 2007 I can't belive that Leica will remove the support of the DMR.... If somebody will remove the support of the DMR than it's Imacon....! I hope and strongly belive that Leica will support the DMR by them self's. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 25, 2007 Share #3 Posted January 25, 2007 I'd say it's rubbish. Removing support means that they wouldn't be prepared to undertake any repairs, I can't see this happening. Aren't there European laws that compel a manufacturer to support a product for a set time after its withdrawal? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted January 25, 2007 Share #4 Posted January 25, 2007 The question is that the new firmware for the DMR has been long outstanding for almost a year. Every DMR user is complaining the existing firmwares' problem in WB, and there are also some other expectations on the firmware improvement. However so far there is no response from Leica, not even an annoucement of such firmware is on the way. I was in the local sole agent of Leica here in Hong Kong this morning. The representatives there also agreed that the DMR is out of stock, and they received no reply from Solms on when the next shipment will be. So some members in the digital forum say that DMR is already out of the line, and Leica will give no more support on it. I also ask the local sole agent about the warranty extension and services of the DMR after my existing warranty is expired. The reply was: the factory does not offer warranty extension. There should be a lot of DMR users. Should we say something to Solms just like those M8 users are doing in the digital forum? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 25, 2007 Share #5 Posted January 25, 2007 I think Gandy is reliable enough not to spread wild rumours. The key point is how you define 'support'. My interpretation is that Leica will not be providing any further updates to the firmware or doing any further development regarding the DMR. Support in terms of warranty - and other obligations that the company has under various statutory laws - would still be provided. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted January 25, 2007 Share #6 Posted January 25, 2007 I think Gandy is reliable enough not to spread wild rumours. The key point is how you define 'support'. My interpretation is that Leica will not be providing any further updates to the firmware or doing any further development regarding the DMR. Support in terms of warranty - and other obligations that the company has under various statutory laws - would still be provided. Ian, If the above situation is the final case, will you further invest on the Leica R series, say the R10, by referring to the experience from the DMR? How about if there are another problems appear on the R10 (just like the DMR case) but the factory just stops further developing the firmware? If Leica finally discontinues the DMR firmware update, it is very discouraging to the DMR users. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 25, 2007 Share #7 Posted January 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I would imagine that the DMR is assembled in batches and that production at Leica has been a bit busy with the M8 for the last few months. The fact that there is outstanding dmand for the product would indicate to me that it's not going to be discontinued. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted January 25, 2007 Share #8 Posted January 25, 2007 The DMR is made in Denmark with a token Leica presence so it should not be hugely affected by the M8. Does make you wonder about the state of the relationship between Leica and Imacon and just how much access Leica have to the DMR's IP. At the time the deal was done, Hasselblad were not in the frame and Imacon's agenda has since moved on. One scenario is that if the DMR cannot be supported, Leica will be on a damage limitation exercise and stopping new sales. If the R10 does appear, there could be a trade-in deal to pull them from circulation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted January 25, 2007 Share #9 Posted January 25, 2007 I understand that there are much more M users than the R. But still the DMR users are looking for a better firmware. There were lots of rumors, if you check the old posts in the digital forum. The first rumor said the new DMR firmware would be released by Sep 06, of course it didn't happen. Then the next one said it will be postponed to Dec 06, and the lastest update says this firmware is coming on Feb 07. Now Gandy above said Leica will remove supports on the DMR. So which one is the truth? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted January 25, 2007 Share #10 Posted January 25, 2007 Every product has a EOL time, think about it ... Canon, Nikon both also don't support their cameras "forever", how long haven't you seen a firmware update for the 1D, 1Ds, D1x ... ? Investment? you're probably right speaking of collecting exotic lenses but this is very rarely the case with cameras, especially with digital cameras. Just take a look at eBay, some of the very high end digital backs can be had for a fraction of its original cost when introduced several years ago. I agree with Ian ... the "end of support" probably means no further development on feature update, firmware etc. I barely have used my DMR because I found it totally impractical to use for child photography so I've sold it right after 1 year of ownership. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted January 25, 2007 Share #11 Posted January 25, 2007 ifthey drop support for the DMR , meaning no further firmware upgrades they will have made a big mistake. From a hardware perspective the DMR is solid and current technology, Firmware updates are an inexpensive way for leica to maintain and sell more DMR. From what i have heard on the Forum a new R10 may not be an upgraded R. what will it have as it main features FF: (i have been dealing fine with the crop) & 16 mp (why ? ) i really beleive improvements should be made in the firmware to keep this investment for leica and it's customers valuable Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted January 25, 2007 Share #12 Posted January 25, 2007 I sent an Email to Leica NJ and Dave Elwell, of parts and Tecnical Info replied that the firmware is still being worked on and he doesn't have a date for when it will be complete. He also stressed that the DMR is a current item and Leica is not discontinuing support for it. Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 25, 2007 Share #13 Posted January 25, 2007 Thanks Robert, let's hope this clarificaation puts paid to the rumours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted January 25, 2007 Share #14 Posted January 25, 2007 I would take the whole DMR rumor as wishful thinking from people looking for a cheaper integrated digital R at a price close to a 5D. I think the integrated R will come in the next few years, but more likely priced in the range of the Canon 1Ds MkII. The market of the R SLRs is that much smaller than the M that they could never hope to price it like the M8 and make up for margin with M8 like sales volumes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted January 25, 2007 Share #15 Posted January 25, 2007 If this info originated from the forum I THINK it did...well, I won't say any more than that. Unless Stepehn directly posted in said thread, I'd be wary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsolomon Posted January 25, 2007 Share #16 Posted January 25, 2007 i'll be in leica NJ next week,i will ask for some clairifcation. i was there about 2 weeks ago and the message i received was that they are looking (only looking ) at r10, i interpert that to mean the R9/DMR have some considerable life left.... these rumors are crazy..... i mean come on .... i predict right now that there will be an R11....and who could argue ... our problem is that Leica provides no information about direction and future....or even the near future Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted January 25, 2007 Share #17 Posted January 25, 2007 Stephen Gandy posted the rumour on his LUC mailing list ... citing from a "reliable" source. LUC Private Archives Authentication You have to subscribe to the mailing list to read his post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted January 26, 2007 Share #18 Posted January 26, 2007 i'll be in leica NJ next week,i will ask for some clairifcation. i was there about 2 weeks ago and the message i received was that they are looking (only looking ) at r10, i interpert that to mean the R9/DMR have some considerable life left.... these rumors are crazy..... i mean come on .... i predict right now that there will be an R11....and who could argue ... our problem is that Leica provides no information about direction and future....or even the near future I do expect Richard S can bring us some good news from his trip to NJ. In terms of support, I don't think we DMR users gain any supports from Leica so far. How many of you consider the firmware 1.2 was a helpful support? Since then we see nothing from Solms. No even a word. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted January 26, 2007 Share #19 Posted January 26, 2007 I think it more likely that Leica WILL continue to support their most expensive and reliable camera; arguably their most flexible digital camera system until they have something better in the R line. We do however need the 1.3 firmware urgently and here I am guessing that Leica are at the mercy of their digital back sub-contractor. From what I have read and experienced on this forum the DMR is more reliable than the M8, and doesn't need IR filters! I can personally vouch for the fact that Leica up to last July were supporting the R8/9DMR camera system, both satisfactorily and efficiently. I am sure that the C & N fans would love to see Leica pull the plug on the DMR, so what's new! Early release of firmware 1.3 might stop these rumours. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdb Posted January 27, 2007 Author Share #20 Posted January 27, 2007 Found this morning in my mailbox: > All: > > As you all know, it has been reported that Stephen Gandy (of > CameraQuest fame) reported on one of the other lists that Leica is > soon to withdraw support for the DMR. > > I have, within the last few minutes, spoken with Christian > Erhardt, Marketing Manager with Leica USA. He tells me: > > [1] That Leica has no plans to withdraw support from the DMR. > > [2] The DMR remains available and will continue to do so. > > [3] Parts and service will continue to be available for the DMR, as > with all Leica products. > > [4] v1.3 of the DMR's firmware is still "in the works". There have > been delays, and Leica USA do not have a firm date, at this time, for > it's introduction. However, Imacon is "working very hard" to make > the release as bug-free as possible and it is "still in the works". > > I have not talked to Stephen since Wetzlar, but I am assuming that he > noticed the delays in v1.3 and interpreted that as Leica giving up. > Such posts are unfortunate, as they cause panic in people when it is > not warranted. > > Just thought you'd like to know. > > Cheers! > > --- > > David Young, > Logan Lake, CANADA Good news.... Cheers Gérard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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