As most of the visitors of this site know, I have written an Open Letter to Leica requesting an updated CCD sensor on a future Leica M model.  Thus far, over 200 of you have signed it.

Today’s Guest Post by Aaron C. Greenman will likely generate some discussion because, in addition to requesting a CCD sensor, Aaron goes further and requests a digital iteration of Leica‘s iconic MP film body.  Although several elements in Aaron‘s post have been previously circulated in various fora online, Aaron distinguishes himself by proposing a cohesive vision of his ideal camera — a camera which represents a sort of anti-modern photographic device for the photographer placing simplicity, quality, and reliability above all.

Although I cannot say I agree with every facet of Aaron‘s articulation, I certainly admire the consistency of his vision, and therefore wish to sincerely thank him for this contribution to the Leica community.

—Peter.

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Aaron C. Greenman writes:

“Peter,
 
Firstly, I wanted to thank you for your work on the Open Letter to Leica.
 
It is important for the company to know that there is a reasonably sized photographer community that still prefers the CCD-based Leica digital rangefinders for their rendering style. As Trusense Imaging (and others) are still developing and producing later generation full-frame CCDs, the sensor architecture is anything besides obsolete to photographers looking to dedicate themselves to high quality “stills only” work. Later generation sensors are bound to offer higher resolution than the 18MP in the Leica M9, coupled with 1-2 stops better ISO performance (making ISO 1600-3200 useable in color, even higher in B&W). Coupled with summilux and summicron lenses, such useability would easily cover 90% of normal shooting requirements, while still preserving the wonderful low ISO rendering style of M9 files.
 
It is also clear, based on the better than anticipated success of the Monochrom, that Leica customers above all are interested in embracing what they believe to be the best photographic tools, with little regard to features that they simply do not need or ancillary specifications that are sometimes included for true progress and sometimes included to motivate planned obsolescence/unnecessary purchase upgrading. So with a relatively modest commitment to further research and development, Leica could create a real alternative to its “M(240)” product line and at the same time a successful, profitable and unique (counter-culture) item that would generate revenue and profit for the company.
 
While I agree with your letter, I believe the time is right for Leica to go even beyond your request, toward a true and faithful next generation (i.e. digital) version of the Leica MP:
 

• Body with same indestructible build quality and exact dimensions as the current MP, offered in both high gloss painted black and chrome silver (no paint) and weather sealed.  With the A7 and A7R, Sony has proved that it is technically possible to sufficiently condense the depth of the camera body;

• Identical viewfinder to the MP, with a la carte options for different magnifications and single framelines

• Aperture priority mode as in Leica M9

• High resolution (36MP or more) Truesense CCD – could even be produced in color and monochrom-only versions, which would effectively carry forward both the M9 and Monochrom product lines;

• no video;

• no rear LCD;

• small top info screen (like frame counter on MP or M8) for battery charge and shots remaining, could even be mechanical dials similar to Epson RD1;

• manual MP-like dials on rear for ISO (auto + each manual setting) and exposure compensation;

• only RAW shooting, auto WB only;

• extremely low power usage, long battery life;

• manual shutter re-cocking with lever (like Epson RD1)

• no “motor drive” to save battery life (could have an optional motor drive that replaces the bottom plate);

• Ideally a 1/8000 maximum shutter speed, though this should take a back seat to low power usage and manual shutter re-cocking; and

• Frame preview lever.

 
While the world moves toward EVFs, the above would offer a real alternative and reinforce the heritage and mechanic quality of the Leica M rangefinder. I, for one, am waiting.”
 

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↑Camera body photos © Leica Camera AG.

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Aaron C. Greenman has been a photographer for over 25 years and has lived and worked on four continents. His online portfolio is available for viewing at acuitycolorgrain.com, and his work has been published in various places online including The Leica Camera Blog. His first monograph is now available for the iPad.

[Note:  Aaron was previously a Featured Photographer on this site.]

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Today’s Guest Post is from Roel van Noord, who has often contributed to the discussions on this site, but has otherwise been quietly modest about his own photography.

Well, that’s about to change.

Roel, in one of his projects, had the courage to head out on the street and ask total strangers to pose for him.  The result: a plethora of fascinating portraits.  Despite the diverse cast of characters captured in his images, there is one unifying element: they are all wearing hats.

I’ll let Roel explain how this came to be:

“Hi Peter,

I have been visiting your site almost everyday and I still love it. Thank you for putting in the effort of sharing your images and thoughts which are, at moments, very personal.

Has been a while since we connected… just started my second exhibition this year with a series of street portraits.  The theme is goed gemutst (“well hatted”), which in Dutch means something like “looking good” but also “feeling good” (well spirited).  Don’t know if there is a similar translation for that in English.

The series was shot in winter and shows people comfy dressed (hats/shawls) against the cold (a bit like ‘if you snooze you loose’, or as we say in Holland, “if you stay at home because of the weather you are always wrong”). You will see here that the weather was fabulous ;o) “

—Roel.

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Thank you very much Roel!

To see more of Roel‘s work, please see here.

—Peter.

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I am pleased to present four new images this year from a dear friend, and outstanding photographer, Luiz Paulo.

I must confess, I have an affinity for Luiz‘s photography because we share similar sensibilities when it comes to our subject matter:  Luiz photographs his daughter (family), and he captures the capricious and simultaneously important elements of daily existence (Life’s Little Moments).

On a technical note, this time Luiz treats us with complex explorations in composition and a rare (for him) infusion of colour.

Finally, I am very excited to announce that Luiz will be featured in an upcoming issue of Leica Fotographie International, where many of his images are already prominently displayed online .

Please help me, then, in welcoming him once again to this site.

—Peter.

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[If you would like to see more of Luiz‘s work, please visit previous posts on this site here, here, here, and here.]

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