Users of the Leica SLR system, the “R” system, are particularly unsettled at the moment. They wonder if and how the R system will be continued in the digital world.
You can be assured that to us it´s very clear what’s going to happen with regard to the topic SLR. We´re developing a solution which we will present to the public.
Will it be on display at the Photokina 2008?
This fall in Cologne you will be able to get a clue.
Compatibility is a question which moves R users in particular. Will the old R lenses be compatible?
I´m sorry but I won´t comment on this topic today.
Why are you making such a secret out of this?
I am not fond of announcing things at such an early stage. I´m convinced of what we´re developing right now but the products are not ready for the market yet. We want to be able to stand behind the new product completely. It shall more than satisfy the needs of our customers.
Is this caution a lesson learned after the problems with the rollout of the M8?
The development and rollout of the M8 was done at the shortest possible time. In the process we emphasized quality features which are characteristical for the M-system such as resolution, sharpness and constrast. This is why Leica decided to use a particurlar, slim cover glass for the sensor.
This makes the camera overly sensitive to infrared light, which distorts the colours.
Yes, under certain circumstances colour shifts can occur. I don´t what to justify anything but due to technical restrictions – which were partly due to our supplier of sensors – at the time the M8 was developed there was barely an alternative. An IR cut filter in front of the lens solves the problem. I have to admit that this is not the most elegant solution. I wish that the whole IR question will disappear eventually.
Some M8 users are not satisfied with the viewfinder as well. They complain about inaccurate framelines and focusing problems.
The viewfinder is one topic we´re working on in our R&D programm for further M’s. The fact that I mention this to you might lead you to the assumption that there is something in the pipeline. I won´t reveal more on this subject.
Will the character of the M stay the same?
It would be stupid to change it.
To which extend did to win new customers with the M8?
We were only able to widen the segment on the fringes. We have to enlarge the segment much more. Our next steps are intended to offer interesting solutions for a different clientele. The M will never be a camera for the mass market, the vast majority of the market opted for SLR. But rangefinders do have big advantages in some fields, especially with regard to wide angle lenses and available light photography. We´re working on convincing more people of this.
The new Summarit lenses are a first step towards this. Allegedly they were one of the Mr. Lees pet projects. According to retailers they do not sell too well.
From my point of view the idea to offer inexpensive lenses for new M-users is a good one. But the price of the body has to go in line with this concept. If you look at the current price of the M8 there is a certain discrepancy.
Read more on page 4: Will there be a digital Leica CL?
