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Two ways one could look at it, entry into Leica T system, building as lenses become available, or, have Leica M system, want a fun, second body as back up for existing M glass. My guess the majority of purchasers would be the latter, given the cost of the "system" (and the reason they developed the adaptor in the first place), why not carry that concept through? You're not going to get many people making an initial investment in M glass to adapt to this body.
 
Whereas, the Asian companies want to ensure they include the kitchen sink, 5 extra buttons, and a menu tree that requires a masters degree to figure out how to use.

Yeah, but it`s the same Asian companies which push the boundaries on sensor technology, lcd screens, EVFs and electronics in general, including of course Sony, Sigma, Fuji. And lately, Zeiss has shown that compact, AF, weather sealed outstanding optics can be developed and made in Japan and priced reasonably (ZE 55mm and 35mm).
In German cars at least you get in house designed engines. If you peel the onion, there is not much novelty with the T. It`s simply a fusion of concepts, components, fit and finishing techniques developed and introduced by others. And some of the key components are already slightly outdated. Sony continues to push boundaries in the sensor space with the next generation being just around the corner.
 
Yes, I'm sure they could have included the focus peaking option but then they might sell few AF lenses.

I doubt they'd sell fewer AF lenses but they'd probably sell more bodies. Focus peaking is a highly effective technology that first showed up in the Sony Nex, and has been done increasingly well by Sony, Ricoh, Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, and probably others. And Fuji's split image type of focus is as close to a split prism type of MF experience as I've seen since, well, a split prism. Works better with some subjects than others, though, where peaking works with damn near anything. How having that as an OPTION would get in the way of the shooting experience, I can't fathom...

Whereas, the Asian companies want to ensure they include the kitchen sink, 5 extra buttons, and a menu tree that requires a masters degree to figure out how to use.

Oh, right. I forgot Leicas were designed with 4th graders in mind. Because those uneducated folks who can only figure out a Leica interface can SURELY afford one! :cool:

I've been getting by on a Bachelor's degree my whole adult life and I can even shoot with Olympus, Sony, and Ricoh, which might requite some of that education, and Fuji, which is dead-simple...

-Ray
 
Each to his or her own. I have found the X100 to be an excellent camera - and I have found my iPhone to be an excellent one, as well (heresy!!:eek:). I have no doubt that many of the cameras "we" here on SC use are excellent. This camera interests me on virtual paper for a variety of reasons. Chances are quite slim that one will be in my hands..but if in 6 months or a year I do get a chance to try one out, I'm looking forward to it for the my enjoyment and my guess is that it could be a style of user interface that would really work for me. Now, if someone had ever told me I'd have ever thought this two years ago, I would have thought they were crazy. I'm looking for a means to my end - which is the picture.
 
I think you failed to grasp what David said in his review pertaining to the development team not including "stuff" that's not needed or might get in the way. The T is designed to use AF Leica designed lenses. They just happened to make an adapter for those that would like to use their FF M or R lenses (with the caveat "at your own risk").

Yes, I'm sure they could have included the focus peaking option but then they might sell few AF lenses.

Whereas, the Asian companies want to ensure they include the kitchen sink, 5 extra buttons, and a menu tree that requires a masters degree to figure out how to use.

duane i think we're talking past each other. i dont like peeking. i was talking about fujis split screen focus in the xe2/xt, and subsequent comments that ignored the fact that particular focusing tech is here and now and not a fantasy or that leica need break engineering ground to incorporate it.

as for leica intentionally leaving out features that detracted from a 'seamless' experience, i also directly addressed that by asking how in the world leaving your composition to magnify then focus then back to composition can be in any way fantasized as 'seamless'? question still stands, cause i dont get a fourstep process, or any process where i leave composition as seamless. regardless of what one thinks about peeking--and i dont like it and personally find it distracting and ineffective--it is way more seamless than a magnification regimen. further, split screen is here, is more effective and certainly more seamless than leicas chosen option. so to me it appears leica actually chose the least seamless option, which also seems to have the 'benefit' of being the oldest and cheapest of the 3 available techs.
 
My guess is that if Leica had implemented some type of manual focus aid (in addition to magnification), more Leica M users would be more prone to consider the T as a backup for their M's.
 
You can manually focus this one, Armando. I can't quote you chapter and verse but there are some detailed reviews and people who are writing about their real life use experiences.

If I find a good quote I'll cut and paste it for you.;)

Try a read through this: Leica T (Typ 701) Review | Red Dot Forum

When in AF mode the ring has a bit of a hidden feature. Turning the ring in AF mode usually does nothing. But, if you press and hold the shutter release to lock focus (box turns green) you can then turn the ring to adjust focus manually. The camera will fire as if it locked AF without trying to reacquire...

...When you mount the adapter, the camera automatically knows that you’ve mounted a non-T lens and switches over to MF mode. By default, you can turn the left hand control dial to activate the focus aid, which magnifies the center of the image either 3x or 6x. I found that 3x was more than adequate for focusing.
 
...
When in AF mode the ring has a bit of a hidden feature. Turning the ring in AF mode usually does nothing. But, if you press and hold the shutter release to lock focus (box turns green) you can then turn the ring to adjust focus manually. The camera will fire as if it locked AF without trying to reacquire...
...
Looks pretty much like 'Direct Manual Focusing' (DMF) on a NEX.
 
You can manually focus this one, Armando. I can't quote you chapter and verse but there are some detailed reviews and people who are writing about their real life use experiences.

If I find a good quote I'll cut and paste it for you.;)

Try a read through this: Leica T (Typ 701) Review | Red Dot Forum

I think you may have misread what I wrote. I was specifically talking about manual focus aids other than magnification, such as peaking or split prism. :)
 
I'm with others that the spirit of the T is not to boatload it with features. It is literally and figuratively streamlined. In the eyes of Leica (in my own opinion) the T is not intended as an m-mount alternative. It is a new system with a small set of high quality AF lenses. Optimizing for MF is not a primary point. For that, pony up for an M.

And all of today's sensors are very good! I don't understand this incessant clamor for "better and better" sensors. I recently ran through a battery of tests with all of my Ricoh 28mm cameras (GRD3, GRD4, GR and GXR/28mm A12). Not a bum in the bunch, but in the end, for my B&W work, I preferred the GXR/28mm A12 images - something in the way it renders. That is a 12 MP sensor. Works just fine.

Ultimately, it is up to me to take interesting pictures, not the camera.

Now having said that, I would like to see innovation in creating B&W sensors and in designing in-camera software to optimize for that. Personally, a B&W Leica T would be very interesting to me.
 
has nothing to do with better, it has to do with different, with distinguishing oneself from the crowd. that used to be the leica mantle and mantra. now they use the same old sony sensors that are eating up the world. i'dve been happy if they used an updated ccd sensor from the m8. or like you said, a monochrome sensor. my point is 40 minutes polishing a piece of metal is a gimmick, and for years now leica has forfeited leadership for gimmickry; the illusion of 'build quality' vs having 'something of quality' to build. at some point you piss enough of your history away to where youre irrelevant, and imo, theyre well on their way.
 
has nothing to do with better, it has to do with different, with distinguishing oneself from the crowd. that used to be the leica mantle and mantra. now they use the same old sony sensors that are eating up the world. i'dve been happy if they used an updated ccd sensor from the m8. or like you said, a monochrome sensor. my point is 40 minutes polishing a piece of metal is a gimmick, and for years now leica has forfeited leadership for gimmickry; the illusion of 'build quality' vs having 'something of quality' to build. at some point you piss enough of your history away to where youre irrelevant, and imo, theyre well on their way.

I understand your point. Indeed, the manufacturing of the T is as much a part of its design as the design itself.

But gimmick or not, I believe that Leica knows what they are doing. For better or worse, they are a luxury brand. One we realize that then it all makes sense. You and I are not really their primary customer - they are appealing to and selling to a different customer. And it's how they differentiate themselves from all other camera companies. I'd argue that they are trying to stay relevant in the current camera market by precisely defining their brand as a luxury product worthy of premium prices. Otherwise, they become just another camera brand unworthy of premium pricing, and in that scenario they may wither away, as you say.
 
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