New Konost Digital M mount Rangefinder Project

[Doug]

Apparently in development, a full-frame compact digital rangefinder camera. Will it materialize on the market?

http://konost.com/


ADMIN EDIT

SFAIK, only two new rangefinder lines have been launched in recent history without previous rangefinder camera manufacturing experience:

the EPSON RD1 which partnered the conglomerate Epson with long time camera maker Cosina

the Yasuhara - the first production LTM TTL rangefinder - a new Japanese company partnering with an experienced Chinese camera manufacturer

sooo... if history is any guide
If the Konost makes it to dealer's shelves
a partnership with an experienced camera maker is likely ...

but whoooooo ???
time will tell

 

[B-9]

Woa, thats one ugly concept. Sounds super boring on paper too.

 

[YYV_146]

They claim to have an innovative "digital" rangefinder design. I wonder if it's more similar to the Fuji-type digital overlay imaging. There seems to be an OVF, but I can't see that much optics fit into the body design. As-is the sensor must practically be squashed against the VF optics.

Even if it is an actual rangefinder, I don't understand the appeal. I can't see this thing being cheaper than a used M9 or what the M240 will be a few years down the road, and for practical shooting purposes the Sony FF bodies are much more than sufficient, and cheap enough to be throwaways.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Looks like a Leica T..
Come in at around 1k...who knows..

 

[YYV_146]

Looks like a Leica T..
Come in at around 1k...who knows..

Not likely. Unless they can ramp up production to millions of units.

I have a bit of experience with chip fabs and OEMs. Things get atrociously expensive when you're ordering in small batches. If you order enough, on the other hand, the design/test costs are basically rolled into the material costs. This is, I gather, part of the reason why Leica digital is so unaffordable and Sony (who also uses its own fabs) dirt cheap.

That CMOSIS chip is likely to cost more than a grand apiece after factoring in development, by my roughish estimates, if they plan to sell at the quantity of digital Ms. The whole thing? Optimistically maybe $3,000.

 

[Particular]

It is an interesting concept. I think the way it works is that the rangefinder window has its own little camera and they can project that into the viewfinder to make the double image. That is really innovative, and I hope they patented it. The question is if they will get funding for this...

 

[uhoh7]

Woa, thats one ugly concept. Sounds super boring on paper too.

Seriously? Zeiss and everyone else could care less about making a M body alternative, and somebody is actually trying to make one.....

No good deed goes unpunished, I guess.

Looks fine to me, and I like simple cameras that will take great lenses.

TY so much for bringing this up Doug 🙂

 

[Doug]

🙂 It does look like they're shooting for a modest price level, basic manual no-frills rig. M mount... They will have the benefit of seeing what Leica has gone through. What 20Mpx full-frame sensors are available?

 

[YYV_146]

🙂 It does look like they're shooting for a modest price level, basic manual no-frills rig. M mount... They will have the benefit of seeing what Leica has gone through. What 20Mpx full-frame sensors are available?

They are stating that the sensor comes from CMOSIS, the same company that manufactures the Leica M type 240 sensor. I don't recall CMOSIS offering any other FF sensor than the 24MP model in the M240, so I assumed that it was a custom-order thing.

Either way, CMOSIS has proved itself to be capable, albeit with some rough edges. I don't doubt the capabilities of this sensor - but the pricing is entirely a different matter...😀

 

[uhoh7]

from the site:
"At the heart of the Konost Camera is a 20.0mp 35mm Full Frame CMOS image sensor from CMOSIS. The CMV20000 is a high resolution, high dynamic range, and high speed sensor allowing us to achieve spectacular detailed images. With 16 LVDS channels capable of running at 480 Mbps, the CMV20000 can also record videos at 30fps at full resolution, giving the Konost Camera extended capabilities besides still photography (hint*). CMOSIS has also been excellent in providing documentation, reference designs, and customer support for our application."

"The Konost Prototype uses the Zedboard development kit to drive the massive image sensor. With an onboard Xilinx Zynq All-Programmable SoC/FPGA, we were able develop our own data and image algorithms, serial controls, protocols, and memory allocations, giving us full control and features of the CMV20000 image sensor. The Konost Prototype also uses the 7″ Zed Touch Display providing live preview and user interface to the sensor. This low cost approach provides further flexibility for customization and future developments."

"All features of the Konost Prototype are custom designed. From the image sensor board, to the lens mount, and even the final enclosure, all were designed to provide maximum flexibility and usability in testing and development. The Konost Prototype is a working full frame camera with 30fps live preview, complete sensor control, and raw image data acquisition. Although designed around the M-Mount lens type, the Konost Prototype can also take all F-Mount lenses via an adapter. If you’re interested in using our prototype for your own development purposes or even professional studio work at a low cost, feel free to contact us at our contact page."

 

[Jamie Pillers]

They claim to have an innovative "digital" rangefinder design. I wonder if it's more similar to the Fuji-type digital overlay imaging. There seems to be an OVF, but I can't see that much optics fit into the body design.

Might be something like the Nikon green dot for acquiring focus, with the optical window used strictly for framing?

 

[CameraQuest]

take a look at this: http://konost.com/?page_id=6714

They are planning a full frame live view digital rangefinder as well as a smaller APS-C live view digital rangefinder.

Not too shabby since this is territory that the likes of Fuji, Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Zeiss have feared to tread.

Stephen

 

[Joosep]

Might be something like the Nikon green dot for acquiring focus, with the optical window used strictly for framing?

Behind the rangefinder window they have another sensor. That image is simply digitally projected in the optical VF. So it is a digital rangefinder, in the truest sense. Less prone to alignment issues when dropped? It is an interesting development tho, I am totally listening.

 

[Joe Vitessa]

Yeah, not the most attractive thing, but I REALLY, REALLY like the concept. All I've ever wanted is a full-frame digital rangefinder with no menus and a price tag, um, under $1,000. Guess I'll be waiting a little longer, eh?

 

[VTHokiEE]

Very interesting, I wonder about the placement of the rf sensor and the OVF in their mockup. The RF sensor looks very close to the grip and potentially ver easy for someone to accidentally place a finger over it (I believe one of the models does this in the video). Also the OVF seems low, making me wonder about viewfinder blockage from the lens.

Regardless, it's very cool and if they can price it below used M9 prices I'd be very interested.

 

[Vobluda]

It is an digital rangefinder, not sure if there is anything to block by lens.

Anyway, great project and I am looking forward to it.
And I am willing to pay much more than 1k USD for such an camera.

Very interesting, I wonder about the placement of the rf sensor and the OVF in their mockup. The RF sensor looks very close to the grip and potentially ver easy for someone to accidentally place a finger over it (I believe one of the models does this in the video). Also the OVF seems low, making me wonder about viewfinder blockage from the lens.

Regardless, it's very cool and if they can price it below used M9 prices I'd be very interested.

 

[JoeV]

Looks like, besides the FF and APS-C rangefinder models, there'll be a 1" sensor, fixed-lens plastic-bodied camera, also with digital rangefinder focusing. That actually sounds very interesting. Supposed to be released sometime in 2015, it looks like their first camera.

~Joe

 

[danielsterno]

Looks like, besides the FF and APS-C rangefinder models, there'll be a 1" sensor, fixed-lens plastic-bodied camera, also with digital rangefinder focusing. That actually sounds very interesting. Supposed to be released sometime in 2015, it looks like their first camera.

~Joe

Interesting and exciting to see potential alternatives/options to Leica for a one rangefinder horse race. Bring it on- could never understand why Epson did not approach a R-D2? …..

 

[aizan]

the website looks like a school project to me...hmm...

 

[taemo]

very interested as well, if this goes for 1000-1500 I definitely wouldn't mind giving it a try but if it's over 2000 then maybe I might reconsider an M9 again.

hopefully this takes UWA and WA lenses nicely