Leica M/R lens adaptors for micro-4/3

Panasonic have made a clever move with two new adaptors to pull in the
Leicaphiles who might not want to splurge on the hopelessly poor design
of the M8 and the also-ran decades-behind-the-art R8 bodies.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0905/09...icadaptors.asp

I would guess that being compliant mounts they would also function on
the Olympus Micro 4/3 bodies. TBD.

"" The M Mount Adaptor and R Mount Adaptor are developed under support
of Leica Camera AG ... ""

Is either Panasonic paying a license or other fee to Leica or Leica
admitting that their own bodies are crap. (Or both).

While the above can't account for the limitations of 4/3, it certainly
provides access to superb optics.

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"Alan Browne" wrote in message
...

"" The M Mount Adaptor and R Mount Adaptor are developed under support of
Leica Camera AG ... ""

Is either Panasonic paying a license or other fee to Leica or Leica
admitting that their own bodies are crap. (Or both).

I think it's Panasonic looking for some ROI on their investment in Leica...

On 22-05-09 13:30, Not Given wrote:
"Alan wrote in message
...
"" The M Mount Adaptor and R Mount Adaptor are developed under support of
Leica Camera AG ... ""

Is either Panasonic paying a license or other fee to Leica or Leica
admitting that their own bodies are crap. (Or both).

I think it's Panasonic looking for some ROI on their investment in Leica...

Matsu****a (Panasonic), in the end, did not invest in Leica directly.
Panasonic is not mentioned in Leica's annual report (for 2007/2008)
other than as 'partners' in product/technology development.

Matsu****a did make a loan to Leica (20M Euro), but other than interest
that is not a stake holding. They have until 2011 to pay it off and the
liability was about 17M Eur in 2008. With net income of 3M Eur (on 156M
sales), they'll have to work hard on efficiency, extend the note or find
more capital.


--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.
-- usenet posts from gmail.com and googlemail.com are filtered out.

"Not Given" wrote:

I think it's Panasonic looking for some ROI on their investment in Leica...


Panasonic hasn't invested a single penny in Leica.

Leica collects license fees on all the "Leica lenses" fitted to Lumix
cameras, and buys (rather expensively) Leica branded versions of some of
those Lumix cameras from Panasonic. The Micro Four Thirds adapters for
Leica M and R glass are also licensed by Leica. But that's all.

The only "Leica" interchangeable lenses sold with Panasonic camera are
those for the Lumix L1 and L10 Four Thirds DSLRs, plus the Leica Digilux
3 version of the L1. All are long discontinued but unsold stocks remain
on the shelves.

None of these "Leica lenses" for Panasonic were designed by Leica. They
are 100% Panasonic designs with only a final approval needed from Solms
for them to carry the Leica brand.

You should note that, apart from the adapters, there is no Leica
involvement whatsoever in Micro Four Thirds. There is immense
reluctance at Leica to embrace Micro Four Thirds, given that the
company's involvement with Four Thirds has been a near-complete flop.

However, the inadequacy of the R9/Digital Modul-R, M8 and M8-2 means
that Leica customers are keen to use their M and R lenses on Micro Four
Thirds, hence official approval being given (probably with reluctance)
to the Micro Four Thirds adapters.