A New Category? (design ideas)

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I'm new to this site, but have been using Leicas (M+R) as both pro and non-pro for 25+ years, and have lots of ideas about design changes, both major and minor, to each system. The recent discussion on the M-6 meter-switch is a good example. My own ideas include an updated Visoflex with its own metering system and dedicated auto-aperture lenses (starting at 65 macro and going to longer teles), and a series of three (35,50,and 90) leaf-shutter elmarits which would couple to an idler-gear added to a lower shutter-curtain drum on a modified M-6. I've taken M-2's and 3's apart, and it looks like this ought to be possible. Am I the only crazy person here? Probably not! What I'm thinking of is maybe a section of the forum which would allow folks to share their ideas about design changes/additions/ subtractions they'd like to see. Don't get me wrong, I love my Leicas just the way they are, but there are times when I'd love to see a bit more innovation. I know money is an issue, but we can dream! And, who knows, maybe someone at Solms will be watching! Anyone out there want to comment?

-- John Layton (john.layton@valley.net), December 30, 2001

Answers

John, why not use the meter already in the M6? Or were you wanting to use it with older Leicas?

You can get adapters to use Visoflex lenses on an SLR model. I'm not sure if they are available for the R series, but they can be had for the Leicaflex.

Leaf shutters: for flash synch?

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), December 30, 2001.


How about a memo-holder on the back of the M6 TTL so that you know what film your using in what body.

I believe this market sector is dominated by Mr. Lutz Konermann but it doesn't mean that Leica cannot be a market player as well.

;-)

PS. For the $$$$ that you pay to get an accessory finder Leica should include a built in spirit-level (in the finder view itself outside the brightframes).

-- John Chan (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), December 30, 2001.


Bob, I was thinking of a metered Visoflex for two reasons: one, the Viso's got lots of space for one, and two, it would entail the least amount of re-design/retrofitting of the camera. Having said this, I suppose a visoflex with a semi-silvered "spot," like the mirror of an SL/SL-2, might be the easiest modification, which could make possible the utilization of the M-6's existing meter. The problem then is how to view the LED's. Maybe a simple electrical coupling from M-6 to Viso, activating LED's in the Viso, could accomplish this. Oh, a third reason for a metered Viso is that it would allow for the development of dedicated, auto- aperture lenses, in the macro/short-tele/long-tele ranges. And, yes, I'm suggesting the shutter-lenses for purposes of high-speed flach sync. I don't need this feature often, and its not what most of my M-work is about. But when I need it, I really need it! I suggest elmarit 2.8 lenses here in anticipation of design-efficiency and size (diameter) issues. At any rate, if you look inside an M-Leica from the front, there is a large gear assembly on the lower curtain-drum. It looks like it might be possible to add some sort of geared coupling to this, which would swing into position upon attaching the shuttered lens. Another possibility would be to simpy set the camera to "B" and use some kind of double release system, with no modifications needed to the camera.

-- John Layton (john.layton@valley.net), December 30, 2001.

John, I see what you mean about the problem of seeing the diodes in the M-finder, if the prism is in place. If it weren't for that, you could use the M-meter just by pre-releasing the mirror. Of course, there was a straight-on magnifier for the Viso that would solve this problem, if convenient.

I wonder how many people would want to go back to this way of doing things, though, rather than simply to use the reflex body?

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), December 30, 2001.


John, I use a Visoflex IIa (with instant return mirror, like III) on the Konica Hexar RF in AE mode. As soon as the mirror flips up the camera takes the meter reading and sets the shutter to expose correctly. I would assume that an AE M6, if there is to be one, would do likewise. The need for leaf-shutter lenses would be obviated if the AE M6's shutter has a 1/250 flash sync. Basically, if Leica updates the M6 into the late 20th century, they wouldn't need to do headstands to accomplish what you want.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 30, 2001.


"What I'm thinking of is maybe a section of the forum which would allow folks to share their ideas about design changes/additions/ subtractions they'd like to see."

Interesting idea, but other than an aperture priority M or a digital M, I'm not sure if there would be that many design changes wanted by this group. I may be wrong of course. Completely impossible would be a shutter priority M (new lenses would be needed). I've always thought the shutter speed better left to the user and f/stop better left to automation. That's why I've always liked my Canon QL17 Canonnette. It just makes more sense to me.

-- Tony Rowlett (rowlett@alaska.net), December 30, 2001.


A LONG TIME AGO... Precision Camera Repair in NY use to modify visoflexes and put in a pellite (sp) prism. Now you can have your cake and can eat it too! Use a Bessa T with the external meter diodes and you do not even have to take your eyes away from the finder to check your exposure.

There is an even simpler way...use the M to R adapter which allows you to use all the visoflex lenses on your R camera. My choice was a SL-2 but a R-8 will give you all the fancy flash stuff as well. I just cannot see Leica investing valuble and scarce R&D funds into something that can be more easily accomplished with a $100 adapter and a SLR.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), December 31, 2001.


I am presently using a 90mm Elmarit head with the adapter on my Nikon. Having gone through all the trouble of locating all the bits mainly out of curiosity I don't see the point at all unless you really want to use the 65 macro or the array of viso teles. Are these lenses so good to justify all this trouble?

By the way what is the proper focusing mount for the 90mm Elmarit? I am using the OUAGO and it won't reach infinity. thanks.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), January 01, 2002.


Before this gets dumped into the archives, I want to thank all for the above responses. I think there is an SL, SL-2, or R-8 in my future! I've actually owned these cameras, but, for professional reasons, I needed to go to "big glass" (fixed 2.8 zooms, etc.) and just couldn't come up with the dough, so I switched to the Nikon F-100 to use alongside my Leica M's. I like my Nikon, but, as they say, "it just aint the same!" I agree that it would be silly for Leica to invest in so much R+D for what would be a "specialty within a specialty" market, and would hate to see them throw dollars at anything that might in any way jeopardize the existing M series cameras, despite my own premise for this discussion.

A word to Rai Tai: Rai, if you're reading this, the proper focussing adapter for the Elmarit 2.8 lenshead is the Leitz #16464, which mounts directly onto a Visoflex, and which allows a focus distance from infinity to 19 3/4". I've used this combo in the past, as well as the 90 f/2 Summicron lenshead on Leitz adapter #16462 (with close focus of 28") and found the Elmarit combo to be superior for closeups. The above-mentioned #16464 for the Elmarit is also the adapter to use for the 65 Elmar, which, especially the later black-finish version, is itself a stellar lens.

-- John Layton (john.layton@valley.net), January 01, 2002.


John, Thanks!! I will look for the proper mount. The OUAGO allows me to focus up to about 20 feet but I have been using the Elmarit mainly for portraits. Now I can use it for its full potential. I hope to get the 200 Telyt pretty soon and eventually the 65mm (if I can find one at a good price) since using it on the F3 has been a blast.

-- ray tai (razerx@netvigator.com), January 01, 2002.


I agree with John about having a new category for design ideas. What's harm would it do? It seems to me that there are quite a few such ideas from inventive Leica owners. As it is, these ideas crop up randomly and are difficult to find.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), January 01, 2002.

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