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All Things Photography

1. Michael 02.05.10 / 7pm

   Leica is back ordered on all three cameras, which in my view is great news. As I’ve said before if you know or care about the history of Photography, Leica is a company you “root for”.
   This success is well deserved, because they did bet the ranch on these new cameras, a gutsy move that at the very least has bought them significant time, at best, secured their future.
   The M8 was not a very good camera, the M9 is better in every way, but still has significant issues. All M lenses fit, but not all perform well. They have not solved the false color issue completely. They have done a remarkable job with a few newer lenses through Kodak’s sensor engineering and Leica/Adobe software correction. The vast majority of their worldwide treasure trove of memorable lenses is compromised by this camera.
   Frankly, for anyone who has ever had the pleasure of owning an M camera, and M lenses, the one word that you could safely remove from your lexicon was “compromise” (unless it was preceeded by a “no” as in a “No-compromise Opto-mechanical system.
   In that sense the M9 still falls short.
   Thom Hogan has suggested a monochrome sensor variant, which would solve the problem (for B&W). I find that quite intriguing.
   I would go further though and suggest that a digital Leica NEEDS Autofocus (don’t shoot me yet)
   Every Leica shooter I know, extolls the virtue of Rangefinder focus accuracy and then proceeds to ignore it for 80% of their shooting (in favor of zone , preset, or guess focusing)
   The reasons we do that are A. the viewfinder we so love is nearly one with the rangefinder try to love, B. we can’t fathom anyone screwing around with those beautiful metal and glass compact wonders, and even if they could, C. what would happen to the “worldwide Leica lens bank” of treasured lenses.
   But what if… technology COULD provide a solution that would be inclusive of all the lenses—–How wonderful would that be ??
   Some have suggested AF Confirmation in the viewfinder, I think that would help a great deal.
   I’ll throw out another idea worth exploring, namely backfocusing like a view camera. In the studio, you set your lens’s position for composition & relationships, & reproduction ratios. You then generally focus with the camera back.
   Modern micro stepper motors are capable of incredible precision. Autofocus could be achieved by moving the sensor (similar to the way in camera IS/VR works).
   And before you think I’m completely crazy, it has actually been done before, for exactly the same reason—Contax designed a backfocusing film camera so as not to obsolete their entire line of superb Zeiss lenses.
   I think that was more than 10 years ago. There are of course issues with this as well (floating element lenses do not only change distance from the film plane to focus)
   But who better than Leitz engineers to solve a thorney problem.
   My point is this, until a Digital M can at least focus- assist (preferably auto focus) and use the wonderful lenses without color shift I won’t replace my M3 kit (or add to it)
   I am not one of Leica’s worldwide group of extreemly loyal collectors who’s orders are responsible for a good part of the backlog. I represent part of a group that represents a genuine growth opportunity. Working Pro & PJ use of Leicas is way down.
   I would even say that the “big sensor ” Point & shoot and even Leica’s beautiful X-1 are at least partial “proof of concept” Ironically, one of the things holding them back is their relative inability to focus (quickly)
   RB’ M6 ,& my M3 are small , very high quality cameras that really can go with you. I wish I had a digital one that made it easier to focus.
   For better or worse “focus” has become more important or more noticeable in the digital age. I’m not saying that photographs must be sharp to be good, they don’t (always), I am saying that I’d like them to be sharp when I want them to be sharp, and I’d like my camera to be helpful in that regard.
   I’d be interested to hear what others think.
   A thought provoking post, thanks.
2. RB 02.05.10 / 7pm

   Michael,

   I have circumvented the whole issue by sticking with my lovely M6 for a while longer – I am loving it and cannot see a reason not to use it instead of an M9.

   Anyway – I love how sharp my m6. I love the way the images look.

   RB
3. Michael 02.05.10 / 8pm

   RB
   That’s exactly my point.
   You and I both love Leicas, but neither of us have a burning desire for a digital one. (yet ?)
   Now in my case I was never really good enough with the camera to trust myself to use just the Leica for important things,
   but have made a few images that do show it’s vast potential.
   And nearly all of my frustrations came from focusing.
4. RB 02.05.10 / 9pm

   Michael,

   I do admit it is a vastly different exercise than using an SLR or other direct focusing camera – not intellectually but then that is rarely an obstacle. You do have to become accustomed to it and it does take a bit.

   I think I mentioned I am a little out of sorts having not used it regularly for a few years. I am confident based on my past experience that I will be back in shape in not too long as long as I give it the time it deserves – just like anything else.

   RB

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