Modification Discussion Group

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Here is the orginal feature list sent to Leica , this does NOT include bugs and fixes which was different lists. I believe Scott also revised this a little.

 

1. Lens selection option "in menu" Generic 15, 21,24,28,35 otherwise with coding it is automatic regardless of setting

2. Optional 16 Bit setting like the DMR or better option

3. EV/ISO option with controls of either arrows or wheel , protect or set buttons. Whatever is fast and confirmed. Idea flash in VF what was set when confirmed

4. B&W optional b/w review, without having to write JPEG

5 Warning of non coded lens

6. Full name of lens in EXIF data sample 50mm summilux 1.4 as it is read by the coding

7. 15mm F4, 24mm 1.4 or F 2 , 28 1.4 ( some really fast wide angles )and than a line of lenses like the 28 2.8 that will be less costs like a 75 2.8 , 90 2.8 or think about 1.33 image circle digital specific lens

8 SDNC compatable or new standard This is not a leica call per say but industry standard

9 Travel charger smaller

 

 

Now in my mind the top 3 were the biggies from everyone. Now 2 and 3 maybe something Leica will do without asking for pay but Number one could very well turn into a pay situation and that was what i think Bill was driving at and certainly what i was sort of saying.

 

This is a feature that helps Zeiss and CV users and certainly they could take a code from a leica lens that acts like there Zeiss and CV lens. Here is the ultimate question for them, leica will not support these users with there lenses they can't since they do not make them. So if you want this you may have to pay for it is the idea.

 

Now here is the rub , Leica users of old glass let's use Vinay as a example who has many many older leica lenses , he is a collector of glass is it fair for him to pay for this coding option or should it be a automatic firmware upgrade for everyone and use it if you need it.

 

Okay those are the situations of just this feature. Now let's put our feet in leica's thought pattern. here is the battle they are fighting within.

 

The resources to take every known leica lens and create the exact cyan correction and vignetting for each one would cost a lot of money to do and also resources. case in point the WATE they had to work very hard to get the firmware correct for it and also the other newer lenses from 50mm down. okay from leica's thoughts who is going to pay for this service. Is it something we should just eat the costs and give it to the public knowing that there may not be that many folks like Vinay that are collectors , i would say the number is much smaller on collectors than CV and Zeiss users.

 

Now having said that would it not be the best idea is to charge these users for this type of work and actually get paid to do it.

 

Now bottom line agree or not , Leica needs to make money to stay in business and with Steven Lee at the helm that is precisely what he is being paid to do , is make money. Now if they did this it would at least cover the cost of the engineering time i would hope and leica would not have to eat the costs.

 

Now from there prospective there are a couple thoughts why support 3rd party lenses, why spend the money to do that. Than should we charge for this service or just eat the costs.

 

Now we can argue this until the cows come home and it would be very valid opinions either way, some feel it is owed to us and some feel hell let's just buy it. The reality is both thoughts are right, but what if leica does charge for it. Yes the logistics maybe a nightmare and yes if they charged for it you may feel really pissed off. But there are folks that also don't need it also. We have to look at this stuff in a more user global fashion than our specific needs even though that is really what counts but Leica or anyone else can't build camera's for individuals but a global market

 

Now taking this a step further with 2 and 3 should we pay to get this done faster and in our hands or should Leica just do it for us if they want to.they may not want to is the problem but if we paid for it than that brings something else into play. Not saying leica is going to charge for this stuff but the concept is pretty interesting for a La Carte firmware program. No one else is doing it but think about it you can custom make your camera , that idea alone is a very interesting concept. Just some thoughts

[wparsonsgisnet]

Guy, thanks for

 

1. Taking all this on originally and communicating with Leica on our behalf

2. Posting it here and adding your comments.

 

My take --

 

1. Leica is going to have a single firmware release

2. If users were willing to pay to have things in the above list implemented (we DON'T know if Leica will entertain such an idea) -- it's clear that some will pay and all the other users will enjoy the benefits of rapid implementation for free.

3. So, I for one am willing to front some money for the 1st 3 items. (I believe that 16-bit is my favorite, but it would be really nice if Leica would show us the test shots they made when this decision was taken. They think the compression/decompression scheme is a good one, obviously.)

 

Here's the proposal, again --

 

1. Vote on the items above

2. I'll tabulate the votes and report

 

3. After that, we'll discuss other topics. If only 11 people vote, I'll go look for the newpaper to read.

 

Regards to all,