The size of the future

[lars_bergquist]

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I just came across this piece by Richard Sexton, at the Luminous Landscape site: A Critique of Contemporary Camera Design—A Synthesis of History, Technology and Art.

 

Camera Design

 

I found it very interesting, partly for the usual reason – Mr Sexton says many of the things I have been saying lately – but also for the more exotic reason that he says some things that I have not thought of (yet). And also because it is a well-written and thoughtful essay which puts camera design into a context not only of design in general, and design history, but of technology and its history. In other words, it is not written for camera geeks, it is written for the kind of geek I am.

 

So go read it.

 

Mr Sexton agrees with me (probably without ever having read me) that all small sensor cameras, including the 4/3 and m4/3 sizes, will go the way of the 110 camera, because the mobile phone camera is making them superfluous. The sales seem already to drop very fast. He also thinks, like I do, that the APS-C format will be "where the cameras with a professional feature set and quality lenses will start." In other words, it will fill the same niche as 35mm filled in the film era. And it is already a foregone conclusion that these cameras will be electronic viewfinder cameras with interchangeable lenses. The smallest 'pro format' will not be the 30x45mm of the S2, but the 24x36 size.

 

I think that is a viable niche for the M, especially if it keeps the bright-frame direct finder (even though Mr. Sexton seems to find it outdated) though possibly with some kind of opto-electronic rangefinder instead of the present opto-mechanical one.

 

I would also say that Leica are extremely well placed to produce the direction-setting new medium-sensor EVIL camera that Mr Sexton envisages. A no-nonsense high quality camera to take legacy M lenses, and new AF ones, dedicated to image craftsmanship and not afflicted by Japanese Menus, Buttonitis and Feature Bloat. The next few days will show whether Leica have designed their 'breakout camera' and a trendsetter for the future – their future – or not.

 

The old man from the Kodachrome Age

[k-hawinkler]

Lars,

 

I think your relatively short post is a better read and more to the point than Sexton's lengthy wordy article.

Thanks.

[jaapv]

I agree, an excellent summary. It makes a few lengthy threads on this forum redundant too...

[Shac]

Lars,

 

I think your relatively short post is a better read and more to the point than Sexton's lengthy wordy article.

Thanks.

 

Totally agree k-h

Thanks Lars

[SJP]

+1

 

No "feature bloat" pretty much sums it up, that is what it is about.

[vintola]

I just came across this piece by Richard Sexton, at the Luminous Landscape site: A Critique of Contemporary Camera Design—A Synthesis of History, Technology and Art.

 

Camera Design

 

I found it very interesting, partly for the usual reason – Mr Sexton says many of the things I have been saying lately – but also for the more exotic reason that he says some things that I have not thought of (yet). And also because it is a well-written and thoughtful essay which puts camera design into a context not only of design in general, and design history, but of technology and its history. In other words, it is not written for camera geeks, it is written for the kind of geek I am.

 

So go read it.

 

Mr Sexton agrees with me (probably without ever having read me) that all small sensor cameras, including the 4/3 and m4/3 sizes, will go the way of the 110 camera, because the mobile phone camera is making them superfluous. The sales seem already to drop very fast. He also thinks, like I do, that the APS-C format will be "where the cameras with a professional feature set and quality lenses will start." In other words, it will fill the same niche as 35mm filled in the film era. And it is already a foregone conclusion that these cameras will be electronic viewfinder cameras with interchangeable lenses. The smallest 'pro format' will not be the 30x45mm of the S2, but the 24x36 size.

 

I think that is a viable niche for the M, especially if it keeps the bright-frame direct finder (even though Mr. Sexton seems to find it outdated) though possibly with some kind of opto-electronic rangefinder instead of the present opto-mechanical one.

 

I would also say that Leica are extremely well placed to produce the direction-setting new medium-sensor EVIL camera that Mr Sexton envisages. A no-nonsense high quality camera to take legacy M lenses, and new AF ones, dedicated to image craftsmanship and not afflicted by Japanese Menus, Buttonitis and Feature Bloat. The next few days will show whether Leica have designed their 'breakout camera' and a trendsetter for the future – their future – or not.

 

The old man from the Kodachrome Age

 

Well written. Thank You Lars. There seems to be some sense here in Scandinavia. I have really enjoyed Your comments here in L-Camera Forum. You really know what You are talking about. Hälsningar från Nådendal, Finland - vintola -

[Phil U]

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I have really enjoyed Your comments here in L-Camera Forum. You really know what You are talking about.

 

+1

[thompsonkirk]

+2.

 

I was amazed and amused that Mr. Sexton could marshall so many words-sentences-paragraphs to say so little. In that respect the article is sort of a classic.

 

Kirk

[AlanG]

 

Mr Sexton agrees with me (probably without ever having read me) that all small sensor cameras, including the 4/3 and m4/3 sizes, will go the way of the 110 camera, because the mobile phone camera is making them superfluous.

 

I think the smartphone technology of gps, internet connection, etc. will merge and become integrated with cameras... regardless of their size and type. Think of these as communication devices and not just as cameras. Look at the 41 MP Nokia as an early example. I can certainly see something like that with various additional attachments for it making it into a more versatile camera, sound, video, information transmitter. Why can't we use our expensive cameras to quickly send an image without resorting to a computer if much less expensive cell phones can do that?

[jaapv]

Well, yes, after all, photography is nothing more or less than communicating anyway.

[AlanG]

Well, yes, after all, photography is nothing more or less than communicating anyway.

 

Yes, someday cameras that can't connect to the internet will seem as weird as computers that can't connect to the internet.

[k-hawinkler]

I think the smartphone technology of gps, internet connection, etc. will merge with cameras... regardless of their size and type. Think of these as communication devices and not just as cameras. Look at the 41 MP Nokia as an early example. I can certainly see something like that with various additional attachments for it making it into a more versatile camera, sound, video, information transmitter. Why can't we use our expensive cameras to quickly send an image without resorting to a computer if a cheap cell phone can do that?

 

 

That would be a tall order for a company like Leica indeed!

Why reinvent the wheel?

Wouldn't it be easier to wirelessly couple with an iPhone or better iPad

(or what have you) and use its services?

[AlanG]

That would be a tall order for a company like Leica indeed!

Why reinvent the wheel?

Wouldn't it be easier to wirelessly couple with an iPhone or better iPad

(or what have you) and use its services?

 

No because at that point you will just use your cell phone to take the photos or video in the first place and not bother with your camera. That is happening already. Keep in mind that not many photos are intended to be high quality printed art pieces.

 

I bet Leica and others will simply be able to buy modules that fit into their cameras to make all of this possible. That's how computer manufacturers do it.

 

Last weekend our house was part of a neighborhood garden tour. I followed our cat around as he explored the garden and made of movie of him with my cell phone. I couldn't be bothered to do that with a better camera (readily available) and it was good enough for putting it on YouTube for our friends to see.

 

These video are not exactly exciting but that only helps prove the point why the cell phone is adequate.

 

 

[jaapv]

A cat movie? Directed by a human being? You must be joking!

[k-hawinkler]

So, if I understand your point, a subset of current smartphone technology will be integrated into all cameras in the future. What's the timescale for that?

[40mm f/2]

Design (should) follow function. The point of that article is that most digital camera design is a derivative of film camera design except the most used cameras: iphone etc.

I am interested in a camera only if the IQ is close or better than the M9. So Iphone will take some time;)

Ergonomics/handling and viewfinder should be significant design parameters. Sensor size does not have to follow film formats. I think a square sensor would be optimal as it allows to crop both for vertical or horizontal (a camera designed for horizontal use will not handle well vertically). For M (orR) lenses a 30mm square sensor will fit a 43mm image circle.

[jaapv]

Design (should) follow function.

I feel that way. And the mantra has been repeated often enough. But looking at the statement objectively, why should it be valid? As long as function is not impaired, why can’t design be whatever the designer wants it to be?

[40mm f/2]

As long as function is not impaired, why can’t design be whatever the designer wants it to be?

Exactly that is my interpretation of design follows function.

[AlanG]

So, if I understand your point, a subset of current smartphone technology will be integrated into all cameras in the future. What's the timescale for that?

 

4 years,. two months and 16 days.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[leicanut2]

Don't think 4/3rds will go away, look at the OM-D big demand. Any way it's not the cameras it is the size of the lenses. Lots of guys want smaller cameras with a good range of SMALLER lenses. Something that won't break the bank or your back. And the same guys also have Iphones.. Different cameras for different reasons.

 

Just my 2 cents..

.Hey is film cameras dead yet? Depends on who you ask, Leica still makes the MP right.