Fake project- Leica digital CL

[JuJu]

Hi all, I am working on some fake projects just for fun. First thing came to mind was "what if" someone wants to put digital CL into production?! and I am hired to run the whole product development!!😛 Okay, first of all, it has to be small, light and relatively inexpensive (at least comparable to an used M8 price range), so full frame sensor, brass top plate, magnesium body are out for now. Also, Let's utilize more of the "physical dials" rather than going through buttons and screen ( I even thought about get rid of the LCD screen completely, just use it like a film camera, but it kind of defeats the purpose of a digital camera) I have the shutter speed dial in the front in the earlier sketches, but I choose conventional design in the end to keep it plain, discreet and maybe lower manufacturing cost.

Located in the middle of the shutter speed dial is the ISO dial, just like the original CL design, except the indicator is on the bottom right.

I don't think Leica will make the digital CL in the near future since the launch of the X1 and M9. I am just daydreaming. However, any thoughts and comments on my design are much appreciated. I am not completely happy with the design yet, I will refine it some more. Also, I am trying to come up with another design project. Instead of a fake M10, maybe a screen-less M3-D... any more ideas?

p.s. English is not my first language, please take it easy on my grammar and spelling😱

 

[__hh]

Very cool graphic design and rendering!!! Hey, I'd buy one based on what you have 🙂

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Very clean design. I'll take one!

Really, nice work.

 

[Cyrus]

8000 shutter speed! Iso 3200!
WOW!

 

[Chris101]

Cool project Juju! "Made in Gerpan" ... I love it!

But the pictures are WAY too wide - I can't read any of your post because of the extreme horizontal scrolling needed.

 

[JuJu]

Thanks for all your kind words😱
Leica might consider making digital CL if they see enough "I'll take one" kind of comments 😀

@Chris good eyes!😀 also, image size problem fixed

@Cyrus Yeah, I know 😀

 

[spiderfrank]

beautiful design, but why didn't you put a longer rangefinder? Or perhaps it could be nice also an electronic one (Contax G1 / G2), a auto-zoom viewfinder, and just a led in it to indicate the focus is right. To avoid to have a dim viewfinder, I'd use a system similar to a telescope: you look from the left side on the back, than there is a mirror, a zoom from left to right, an other mirror, and the window in the center or right side of the camera. The electronic rangefinder module is small and the two system should live togeter on the top of the camera... Just some thoughts to stimulate the project! ;-)

Ciao
Franco

 

[ashrafazlan]

Hey I didn't know RFF had another 3d artist 😀 How bout a comp over a real background, right next to an M8. Might be good enough to attract a large crowd..possibly catch Leica's eye? 🙂

 

[spiderfrank]

😕 You want to take photos by looking from the left in the camera? In a 90 deg. angle to the subject you want to photograph?

ah ah !! no, this is what i mean:

 

[Spider67]

Downright great!!!!!
Perhaps this could be an economy model in a few years
.....I am just afraid that due to the dismountable back a digital Zorki 4 is much more feasible...on the other side so is a digital Contax or Kiev

 

[snausages]

that's so cool. i'd buy the sketch of the camera.

 

[tritiated]

Really good concept art!
Although I prefer the drawing with shutterspeed dial on the front - as in the original CL. The little screen on the top is a good idea!

 

[Bill58]

Nice job, but whatever happened to the guy here that was actually adapting an M (3?) to digital?

 

[Strangeluv]

Fabulous idea. Bloddy hell, Id sure buy one if it ever went into production 🙂

 

[benmacphoto]

I really like that design. Would definitely buy one if it were ever made.

 

[akarin]

Great idea. I'm standing in line for this one as well 🙂

 

[totifoto]

Cool ! 😎

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Very nice CAD work.

Now you need the Solid Printer to go with it!

 

[Dwig]

Very nice design!

I would suggest two changes:

1. Move the self timer to a rear button or menu item. The curremt arrangement makes a "blind" power on operation too touchy. I want a camera than can be turned on and off by feel while walking. The switch should only have two positions, on and off.

2. Provide a dedicated dial/switch control for EV compensation. EV comp should not be a menu item in a camera with an automatic exposure mode. Classic film cameras had two exposure contols, f/stop and shutter speed. In effect, modern autoexposure digital cameras have four of nearly equal importance; ISO, EV comp, f/stop, & shutter speed. All controls should have their own dedicated controls.

 

[JuJu]

@spiderfrank Cool idea, wouldn't it increase the base length of the RF mechanism?

@ashrafazlan Yeah, I will comp it next to an M8 in a real environment when I finalize the design, thanks!

@Spider67 hum... Kiev with a digital back... maybe I can do a project on digital backs?😛

@Brian Sweeney The rendering was actually done in MAYA, for your eyes only 🙁

@Dwig Points taken, I did accidentally turn my M8 to self-timer mode when taking shots a few times:bang: I'll love to get rid of it. Also, I use EV comp all the time when shooting in auto exposure mode as well. Great idea to have its own dial.

@all Thank you all for your kind words and comments, I will post some more renderings when I finalize the design 🙂