HI All,
I agree with Tim regarding wishing some kind of manual advance for "cocking: the shutter after the shutter is released...sort of along the lines of the Epson RD-1 and of course every single Leica film "M" body ever made. I also sympathize with Roger's point of view regarding cost of implementing this and it might not be to everyones taste. Although Leica has limited funds for R&D etc, I personally could have envisioned Leica taking a slightly different route with the M8. One model (call it the M8.3) would have the upgraded framelines, LCD glass, new covering, BUT OLD SHUTTER!. The reason being is those that are likely to use this model with it's current automatic shutter cocking mechanism and in conjunction in multi FPs mode, would be less likely to find current shutter/advance noise an issue. It also would have 1/8000 top shutter speed available. The 2nd model (Lets call it M8.6) would also have all the upgrades that my proposed M8.3 model would have EXCEPT it would have both the new quieter shutter but also a thumbwheel (or film advance lever) for those that like the ultimate in stealth/quiet shooting. So after a single frame is shot, the shooter can decide when to cock the shutter manually for the next shot, or do it very quietly at any time. The shutter would also be the new quiet variety with a top speed of 1/4000 as that appears to be what Leica has developed at the moment. Whether this 2nd model could incorporate an automatic shutter adavance too, like current M8 and M8.2 models, I don't know if thats possible in conjunction to the thumb wheel/lever shuter cocking mechanism...but if it had this option, it would have to be where the user could optionally turn it off and have a film advance no different that a traditional Leica M film body. If they had to dispense with the automatic film adavnace and multiple FPS on this proposed M8.6, then that would be fine too. I could even see where those than own more than one "M" digital body, having one M8.3 and M8.6.
With this senario or some variation of it...Leica would have two distinct variations of it's digital rangefinder appealing to both traditionalists and maybe those that are coming from DSLRs and expect a more modern electronic approach to things. To me that would give Leica more options and a wider customer base yet incorporating many parts from the same assembly line for both models as a cost effective step.
Dave