Ive and Newson Leica Virgin One of a Kind design

I like the work of Ive, but I think he seriously missed the boat on this one. Looking at the camera it makes me wonder if they actually investigated how shooters use the M series.

Even in its digital form the M series is essentially a manual camera that is operated,... manually.

The most obvious problem with the Ive M is that you apparently can't adjust the recessed shutter speed dial, while looking through the viewfinder. If that is correct then that right there is a huge design flaw and shows a total lack of understanding as to how the camera has been operated since 1954 and certainly since the M5/M6 with their built in metering system.

If the shutter speeds are controlled via the two buttons on the rear of the camera, then I would have to restate my argument, that while the function is present, it is very poorly implemented. Pushing flush buttons with the camera pressed against your eye is far less responsive that the notched dial on the traditional M.

Next the recessed and flush shutter release does not look conducive to quick operation. It may feel fine in person, but just looking at the picture I have my doubts.

You can't blindly power the camera on/off nor switch shooting mode between single / continuous, since the dial is recessed and flush.

I am guessing the the AE lock button is located on the front of the camera, above the lens release. I find this to be an awkward position to apply force to. It's much easier to do this if your thumb is resting on the button and is supported by the counter action of your other four fingers. On the F3 Nikon placed the AE lock in a similarly odd place on the front of the camera and it is very awkward to use. In the case of the Ive M you would end up trying to manipulate it with your with your middle finger, which is far less 'agile' than your index finder (preoccupied with shutter release) or thumb.

The perforated finish is a dirt magnet if there ever was one. This camera would be caked in dirt and dead skin within days of use.


Ive claims to be a devote follower of Dieter Rams, who designed many products for Braun and is recognized as a industrial design icon. Rams distilled his approach to design in 10 principles.
I think Ive missed the mark mainly on point 2, which in some ways is the most important one.


Dieter Rams Ten Principles of “Good Design”

1. Good Design Is Innovative : The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.

2. Good Design Makes a Product Useful : A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product while disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.

3. Good Design Is Aesthetic : The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products are used every day and have an effect on people and their well-being. Only well-executed objects can be beautiful.

4. Good Design Makes A Product Understandable : It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product clearly express its function by making use of the user’s intuition. At best, it is self-explanatory.

5. Good Design Is Unobtrusive : Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.

6. Good Design Is Honest : It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept

7. Good Design Is Long-lasting : It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.

8. Good Design Is Thorough Down to the Last Detail : Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.

9. Good Design Is Environmentally Friendly : Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimises physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.

10. Good Design Is as Little Design as Possible : Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.
 
Harry Lime said:
I like the work of Ive, but I think he seriously missed the boat on this one. Looking at the camera it makes me wonder if they actually investigated how shooters use the M series.

Even in its digital form the M series is essentially a manual camera that is operated,... manually.

The most obvious problem with the Ive M is that you apparently can't adjust the recessed shutter speed dial, while looking through the viewfinder. If that is correct then that right there is a huge design flaw and shows a total lack of understand as to how the camera has been operated since 1954 and certainly since the M5/M6 with their built in metering system.

If the shutter speeds are controlled via the two buttons on the rear of the camera, then I would have to restate my argument, that while the function is present, it is very poorly implemented. Pushing flush buttons with the camera pressed against your eye is far less responsive that the notched dial on the traditional M.

Next the recessed and flush shutter release does not look conducive to quick operation. It may feel fine in person, but just looking at the picture I have my doubts.

You can't blindly power the camera on/off nor switch shooting mode between single / continuous, since the dial is recessed and flush.

I am guessing the the AE lock button is located on the front of the camera, above the lens release. I find this to be an awkward position to apply force to. It's much easier to do this if your thumb is resting on the button and is supported by the counter action of your other four fingers. On the F3 Nikon placed the AE lock in a similarly odd place on the front of the camera and it is very awkward to use. In the case of the Ive M you would end up trying to manipulate it with your with your middle finger, which is far less 'agile' than your index finder (preoccupied with shutter release) or thumb.

The perforated finish is a dirt magnet if there ever was one. This camera would be caked in dirt and dead skin within days of use.


Ive claims to be a devote follower of Dieter Rams, who designed many products for Braun and is recognized as a industrial design icon. Rams distilled his approach to design in 10 principles. I think Ive missed the mark on point 2, which in some ways is the most important one.


Dieter Rams Ten Principles of “Good Design”

1. Good Design Is Innovative : The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.

2. Good Design Makes a Product Useful : A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product while disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.

3. Good Design Is Aesthetic : The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products are used every day and have an effect on people and their well-being. Only well-executed objects can be beautiful.

4. Good Design Makes A Product Understandable : It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product clearly express its function by making use of the user’s intuition. At best, it is self-explanatory.

5. Good Design Is Unobtrusive : Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.

6. Good Design Is Honest : It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept

7. Good Design Is Long-lasting : It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.

8. Good Design Is Thorough Down to the Last Detail : Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.

9. Good Design Is Environmentally Friendly : Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimises physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.

10. Good Design Is as Little Design as Possible : Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.
Click to expand...
Rams, 10: Ive (on this camera), 0.

Cheers,

R.
 
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