bensyverson
Well-known
They already did, with the Epson RD-1. The fact that there has been no RD-2 or other digital RF from Cosina speaks volumes.
BobYIL
Well-known
Companies do not operate on dogmas.. if they see a future for any concept then they invest on it without any fanfare.. Who would expect that after the collapse of the S5 Fujifilm would make a comeback with a totally different design? BTW, think about what caused the RD-1 to not fulfill their dreams? Could it be something to do with the not-up-to-date sensor looking inferior to the leading DSLRs of its time? Could it be also the lack of the FF size sensor too? What made the M8 phase out? And what made the X100 suddenly raise up to 100.000 units in 9 months? What triggered Fujifilm to invest heavily in the interchangeable model of the X100 this time? Why people buy NEX series and GXRs to use also with their RF lenses?
Digital rangefinder, mirrorless, with mirror, EVF, OVF or DSLR: The core is the digital technology being offered; i.e. sensor and processor at the first rate for these are what people pay for at the first rate.. And the "core" changes fast.. The trick lies in keeping the core updated as the technology evolves.. (Exactly the same issue the M9, D3, 5Dii, D3x, IDsiii, etc. are facing today.. )
And Cosina know these too.. definitely much better than the consumers like us do.
They are beautiful film cameras though. If it were 1990 instead of 2012, they would have made a killing with these bodies (well, as much as a RF can make a killing).
Drago
Established
I think they could expand their market with mechanical body. I know a lot of people who prefer all mechanical bodies and with cosina partnership it wouldn't be so hard and expensive. And not that Zeiss don't know how to make it 
bensyverson
Well-known
A mechanical Ikon seems more likely... Although it's also extremely unlikely.
Maybe Cosina will do another digital M, but it would be a bigger challenge for them than it was for Fuji to do the X100. Fuji already had sensor fab plants, digitally-oriented factories in operation, years of experience with digital camera design and production, along with the money to make it all happen. In short, Fuji had the capital.
Some people would understand the appeal of a $2500-3500 (just guessing) digital M camera, but enough people? Who knows. I think many people in that market aren't as hardcore as the average RFF member, and wouldn't mind the autofocus of the Fuji X series. It's a much more competitive market for a high-end mirrorless camera today than it was when the RD-1 came out.
Maybe Cosina will do another digital M, but it would be a bigger challenge for them than it was for Fuji to do the X100. Fuji already had sensor fab plants, digitally-oriented factories in operation, years of experience with digital camera design and production, along with the money to make it all happen. In short, Fuji had the capital.
Some people would understand the appeal of a $2500-3500 (just guessing) digital M camera, but enough people? Who knows. I think many people in that market aren't as hardcore as the average RFF member, and wouldn't mind the autofocus of the Fuji X series. It's a much more competitive market for a high-end mirrorless camera today than it was when the RD-1 came out.
santela
Established
After hearing this I ran out to the local shop to get a used silver ZI.
Always wanted one to back up the M7. Now I'm a happy camper.
Always wanted one to back up the M7. Now I'm a happy camper.