Vieri Posted March 5, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Leica just announced the discontinuing of its R line of camera and lenses. Apparently, Leica said that "... insights gained during the development of the S2 (its first autofocus camera), will feed into the development of a future generation of the R-system." This is hardly a "commitment to an R10 coming soon after the S2", IMHO, as strongly speculated on this and other forums; I hope they will keep this future promise of a new R-system, and that if they do I hope that it will have a mount compatible with the actual MF R lenses of today & yesterday, in Leica's best tradition. As far as I am concerned, when they talk about "a future generation of the R-system" it should mean that the new generation will still sport an R or "R-compatible" mount, otherwise it wouldn't make much sense to still call it the R-system.: what defines a system is, in fact, the lens mount Anyway, this is it: bye bye R9, bye bye R-lenses... but hey, now that I think of it, maybe in 50 years my R6 & few lenses will become incredibly valuable collectable but then again, they probably will not Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 5, 2009 Posted March 5, 2009 Hi Vieri, Take a look here No more Leica R.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
kdemas Posted March 5, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 5, 2009 I think there's a lot of R inventory and with the focus on the S2 and the eventual new R it probably makes sense. Let's hope that the new camera, when it appears, puts a smile on all our faces. And now, back to enjoying the great equipment we already have Kent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_f Posted March 5, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 5, 2009 Vieri, Thank you for the post. I had just seen the news on Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ. Very sad indeed, this is the end of the line for Leica's "traditional" SLR system. In a way, I can understand Leica Camera's decision. It is most likely they did not want any overlap between the "old" R system and the new AF system - in terms of sales that is. Imagine that you are a Leica dealer and you are told that you will have to carry not one, not two, but three SLR systems - the original MF R film system, the soon-to-be-available S system, and a brand new, completely modernized AF R digital system. With the current economic mess that the world is in right now, it did not make any sense. It might be Ok for the more popular M system (with its MP, M7, and M8), but not for its reflex cameras. The new R10 AF digital camera IS coming, that is for sure. It only is a question of time before an official announcement is made. During a Leica Day last December, I was told by a Leica rep from the US that we should not expect any news about the "R10" during next (2009) PMA, and that all Leica's energy was being concentrated on completing the S2. Apparently, one of the last details to be ironed out had to do with the choice of the central shutter used in some of the S2's lenses. From what I understood, Leica had not yet fully decided if it was going to manufacture these shutters in-house or if it was going with an external supplier. We all know how Leica is - it always aims for the absolute highest quality, and for Leica that can only mean one thing: if you want something done right, do it yourself ! I do not know if this is old news to some of you, but I was also told that Leica Camera product manager Maike Harberts had been given the mandate of the R10 project now that the S2 project was coming to maturity. Which means the R10 is in very good hands indeed. Now, let's keep our fingers crossed and hope the economy will bounce back by the time the R10 is available for sale ! Cheers, John F. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted March 5, 2009 Share #4 Posted March 5, 2009 Now, will that make the $$ of R analog gear go up or down? So far, stores have been selling out of new stuff at pretty rock bottom prices. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted March 6, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 6, 2009 I predict that prices will dip then spiral upwards for good examples of bodies - but what do I know, I only own 2 R lenses now - the 19/2.8II and 80/1.4 (but I am buying a late R body to use these two on). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystic Posted March 6, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 6, 2009 "a future generation of the R-system" it should mean that the new generation...... in my opinion it would be pointless to create a new a "new R system" thats uses completely new lenses or isnt compatible with the Leica R mount. and it would be sad too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 6, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 6, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Loong thread here guys. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/79648-end-leica-r9-r-lenses.html Let's try to keep it all together in one place. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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