Chris wrote >>> "What made the 'M' line successful was the small camera form, the design advantages of rangefinder camera lenses, a whisper quiet shutter, and the 'direct' part of the viewfinder system.
However, Leica may be turning it's back on otherwise future customers with their adherence to the 'classic' viewing and image framing design of the 'M' line. That is of course unless one thinks that the current distractions of twinned framelines, external magnifiers and dioptre corrections, inaccurate framing, broken-up image framelines etc., are excellent design solutions for now rather than half a century ago. Personally, I think it's an anachronistic design solution long past it's retirement as a clever museum piece, but one I am obliged to use in order to get the other design advantages of rangefinder camera lenses, and small 'M' camera form."<<<
Hi All,
This is why I wrote in my two posts (above), that for the near future, Leica should (within the bounds of their resources) have a line of two Digital M camera....one along the current traditional route like the M9, M10 etc, where traditional herritage combined with feedback on acceptable technological improvements will be readily acceptable by those that prefer the classical rangefinder concept. The other M digital line would implement quite a bit of the excellent suggestions put forth here and elsewhere, that such a camera should not be constrained by what some observe is half a century old technology....and incorporate a more open form design concept. I think Leica by virtue of having both a film "M" and Digital "M" already emulates such a "two line" approach and its possible due to the economic realities, that someday it will turn into a two line approach having the two lines of Digital M cameras, I outlined. I think Leica by having a single Digital M today is trying to straddle a fine line, trying to incorporate some 21st century technology but at the same time not offending those who prefer as much a tradition M in a M Digital body. Sooner or later with more and more advances being made in electronics and associated concepts....the ability to exclude much of this is going to be difficult for those who want to use a Leica Digital M, but don't want to be left out in the cold regarding whats available and offered on many other cameras..including compact 4/3rd ones. If R&D money exists, I think there will be room for these two lines of Digital M's. If sales of the traditional Digital M line slowly dies out (from lack of sufficient sales)...this will automatically tell Leica that the time has come to concentrate resources on their other Digital M line. No different when the time came for Nikon to realize it was the end of the line for manufacturing film SLR's. The market will dictate.
Please don't get me wrong....as much as I prefer the Traditional Digital M concept, this may have more to do with my current DSLR use...and as Double Negative aptly pointed out....there is that system (Large DSLR's and their associated pro lenses) and many others cameras for all the latest technology, if and when required...abeit at the cost of often of lugging around 25 lb backpacks. Both concepts have their place and when the opportunity presents itself in that I do have a choice...I always reach for the Leica. This is due to both weight of the M system, its simplicity and that I focus more on adeliberate spects of creativity as opposed to "getting the shot".
Dave (D&A)
Dave (D&A)