My digital camera design is...

[Juan Valdenebro]

LOL, that's what I was thinking. $1000,- is rediculous for what is essentially an M9 with no way of doing stuff like formatting SD cards or reviewing other essential settings like whitebalance. Taking out the screen won't drop the price more than $5000 when almost all costs involved are caused by the custom made full frame sensor.

For me, with current technology, the M9 would be perfect. Except... when I compare current technology to shooting a roll of Trix, I definitely choose Trix. Something may change in the future technology wise (wide dynamic range monochrome sensors!), and I do want an M9 pretty bad, but the perfect camera for me already exists, and I got two of em 😎

I don't pretend dumping a screen will lower price making it $5000 less... Prices of screens are not confidential and known by you only... But anyone knows a great digital camera can be done by another company who doesn't need to earn several thousands with a single camera purchase! A bit more than $1000? OK...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Only reason I ever thought of was to make a specific kind of camera as simple and tough as possible. (Cheaper, too, but I don't know how much cost an LCD and the associated electronics actually constitute in a digital...)

For press guys and documentarians shooting in war zones/disaster areas type thing, or an ultra-reliable backup for general pro use...the LCD always seems to be really vulnerable to hits and abrasions. The unintentional consequence of this type of camera would be appealing to traditionalists.

I still think you'd need some sort of plug-in or wireless (bluetooth) handheld device to fully navigate your options and review pics...but then again, maybe the camera could be made so simple as to obviate the need for menus. No need for volume or display settings if there's no speaker or screen; ISO dial on back and dial controls or a very simple oldschool monochrome LCD on top. Then you could just review photos when you have a chance to connect to your laptop during your down time.

A more likely solution would just be a strong, well-sealed cover for the LCD, of course.

For those wanting to use an LCD, of course.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Don't you need a ISO dial?

It could be automatic depending on light level / shutter speed... But if you prefer, another fast switch or dial would do it: 100-400-1600-6400. That's enough for me: I don't need intermediate values.

Cheers,

Juan

 

[jonwo]

Here's my take:
digital back for M
full frame sensor
hide battery & memory card in side the film compartment
price: half of M9 costs

it'll be a M9 killer

 

[ferider]

You must have been involved in the design of the Leica M9, Juan.

And then, marketing put the screen back in and changed the price tag 🙂

 

[AgentX]

For those wanting to use an LCD, of course.

Cheers,

Juan

Well, yes...I was responding to fdigital's post and not your theoretical design.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Hi Roland,

I see clearly I'm not the only one thinking my design isn't possible from a massive sales point of view. Yet I'd prefer it's quick use and light weight over any other digital, including an M9... Few photographers can visualize images without LCD's these days...

The same happens to me with my film rangefinders: I carry three, and two of them are Bessas T... Their total weight with the very small lenses I use is close to that of one Leica with a fast Leica lens... If I carried three Leicas I just couldn't walk carrying them the time I do... Bessas may last for less years (or not) but the advantage in less weight is real, and I enjoy it everyday, and the photographs are the same... Not even image quality is that important... If Cartier-Bresson would have done all his work, I mean the very same images we know, in MF, with all shots sharper, his work wouldn't be better, but exactly just the same. What does it matter to my photography if a Leica can fall down in concrete with less problems? Nothing at all. I don't care if I need to buy a Bessa again in some years. I care about my images only and the weight of my cameras... And from that point of view, I'd prefer a lighter and less massive sales design digital camera... Will it exist the way I wrote? I'd bet it never will. I don't think DRF world will be as lucky as RF world has been after Mr. Kobayashi's wonderful Bessa line.

Cheers,

Juan