RustyBug
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 Re: Leica M11-V to be announced (Now called Leica M EV1) | |
stgrove wrote:
As for the SL line being too big, the one problem is that it must compete directly with other largish mirrorless cameras which sell for MUCH LESS than the SL cameras and Panasonic even offers similar cameras as the SL's for what 40% less than a Leica alternative. The only way Leica continues to sell SL cameras is to offer APO SL glass, but the price points are staggering. I know I have bought 4, but since getting the X2Dii have sold 3.
If Leica had any marketing sense they would have introduced another CL-like camera capable of taking either L or M glass or both via adapter since the faithful have been lamenting about the CL discontinuance for what 10 years.
SL APO's ... similar price points as Hassy's V and E series lenses (P lenses are a lower price point).
But, unlike Hassy, there are a littany of L mount options for price point of your choosing, as well as the adaptability for untold number of M lenses (and a focal plane shutter vs. leaf shutter). The versatility of the SL platform is pretty wide in terms of lens options. Hassy (former X1D II and current X2D) has a much more limited offering, in this regard. I still think one can look at the SL line as the bridge between FF > MF ... I mean, same body with M lenses or MF format performance level glass.
As to the CL line, I was looking forward to the CL2. And granted folks want a FF CL (which is contradictory, of sorts), but it would be more like an FL (FF L mount vs. APS-C). Of course, the battery life of the CL was low because of the small size (AAA vs. AA) of the battery form factor. AF was mediocre for similar reasons. It was also nice and thin because of no IBIS. Functionally, I thought the CL was a nice implementation with M lenses, and would like to see a FF version. But, again ... form factor for battery size / heat dissipation (CL got warm), excellent AF and IBIS presents challenges that if folks want all the "stuff" that the SL brings, you kinda have to decide what are you gonna "kick to the curb" if you slim it down to M / or FF CL size (and smaller battery). Now, take a look at the Hassy or SL to have all the "stuff" in it. Imo, Leica has to be willing to go back to the M240 form factor (or somewhere between M10 / M11 vs. SL) to provide what folks are looking for to have room for a larger battery, heat dissipation, etc.
It's easy to armchair all our Goliath wants into a postage stamp ... actually engineering it, can be a bit different. Bear in mind, that the processing parameters for Hassy / SL warrant a longer / slower readout to get their respective IQ's. Which in turn requires more processing juice, more heat, etc. No free lunch, and they are not disinterested aspects wrt to where the size / weight / build lands. I think one of the simplest evidences of this are in the form factor WITH a built in grip affords the real estate for a larger battery (AA cells vs. AAA cells) than those slim bodies (CL / M) without a build in grip to house the larger battery.
At the end of the day, if battery technology could magically quadruple ... then packing in all the goodies we want into the M would be more viable. Until that happens, all the goodies + all the "max IQ processing" need more real estate for juice and heat dissipation. I think the engineers understand this well, but I think the average consumer has little regard for why their Alligator wishes aren't fulfilled into their desire for a Hummingbird form factor.
And, if folks want to suggest all the other brand options as doing a better job ... then why are they even entering into the conversation. They should be fully satisfied with the other brands being such a better choice, and not waste a moment of time / breath on anything else. And, yet ... 
Of course, we all know that the "perfect" camera can never be built to satisfy all quid pro quo aspects of our beloved craft. Always a series of quid pro quo's in play. To which, everyone has their own ideas of what that could / would / should look like.
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