why not a non-RF DRF?

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georgef

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OK, bear with me here...and just for those wondering, no, I was not hired by LEICA as a product developer😀😀
Given today's available technology on DSLRs offering things live LIVE-VIEW, sensor-detect contrast focusing, is therer a reason why the following cannot be developed:

..a digital, M mount camera, without an RF mechanism, but one that uses an electronic VF /screen to project what the sensor sees off the lens. This would be more like an SLR, really, but it should be far less expensive to make, way more durable without the finicky optics and ergonomically versatile.
contrast AF can determine focus accuracy and even provide confirmation...

Am I missing something here? Is there a reason this is not obtainable? I wonder what your thoughts are, besides the expected "..what kind of serious RF has no RF...", or "...its not the same through a screen...".

Food for thought....obviously, I am starving LOL
 
it might be possible many years later. when it is no problem with power draining batteries, very good LCD etc.

the problem for night/street shooters that bright lcd brings more suspicions for people around. I dont like either staring at flickering bright monitor. But it might happen that younger generation can adapt this such new way at faster rate.

But it would be cool something like with Leica MD without viewfinder. But as digital version 😉, suitable for wide angles 😀 Also equipped with trusty and old external VF too 😉
 
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At present the lcd resolution is not sufficient to allow accurate focusing. If you ever use live view on a canon dslr you will find that you need x5 or x10 to foucs well - but then it is really good.

Mike
 
i have an old olympus 720uz. it has a small viewfinder, that really is a tiny lcd display...
picking up this design would eliminate the need for a rear display. i just don't know how the focusing patch could be implemented.
 
no RF, no focusing patch, no allignment. I was thinking more in the lines of an electronic viewfinder (the rear LCD can be turned off to keep a low key and low battery drain) and the live view image from the sensor while focusing would show you the correct focus. you should be able to "see" what the lens sees with this idea.
How cool would it be, for a small body that takes M lenses!
 
The discontinued Panasonic Lumix FZ3 does this, EVF with diopter built-in, live histogram, OIS, 12x zoom, and with a Leica ASPH lens attached.
 
I was not hired by LEICA as a product developer
Click to expand...
But maybe by Ricoh, no?
Something like the GRD, but with a bigger sensor, and capable of using a faster lens than F2.5.

Back to the R-D1. With it, am a big schizoid. Sometimes preferring narrow depth of field with the sonnars; other times, using zone focusing for street photography. With the latter, critical focusing on the LCD is not important.

In terms of current problems with live-view on dSLRs, I am still unclear as to how much of the problems are due to the mirror issue. It is clearly not a problem with the small sensor point and shoots. If you got rid of the mirror, could you not design an interchangeable lens camera with a more useful live-view option. You could still have the option of an external viewfinder, as the GRD has, which has its advantages in bright light situations, or in situations where you want to shut down the screen for more discrete shooting.
 
I really thought the sigma DP1 had a lot of potential, but that came and went in a different sort of level all together..too bad!

You know, if I could have someone re-fit the RD1 with a more up-to-date sensor, I would like to keep that camera forever! the ergonomics are just right for me. Hopefully there wil be a DIKON at some time that does not look computerized, like the M8 but more mechanical, like the RD1.

long shot though, not holding my breath...🙁
 
Yes, I love my Sony R1. Other than the bulk and weight, it is the perfect camera for me. The LCD screen that can be used at waist level is also a super bonus.

Tin
 
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