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Voigtlander at PMA Las Vegas 2004

The biggest Rangefinder news at PMA was the newly announced collaboration between Cosina and Epson to produce the world's first Leica M mount rangefinder.  This came as a huge surprise.  The digital Bessa was probably the most photographed new camera at PMA. 

Holy Digital Batman,  what a surprise! No one expected this.  The new  digital Bessa was probably the most photographed camera at PMA, with photog after photog taking shots of it.   It was amazing to see an early 1930's 50/2.5 Leitz Hektor  mounted on a new digital RF.   Don't think Cosina and Epson did not understand the historical significance of a 70 year old lens being used with full compatibility on their new camera.  MORE PICS

 It's for real, Epson and Cosina combined in a secret joint project to produce the first interchangeable lens digital rangefinder ever.   I wondered why the film cameras I was told about at last year's PMA did not materialize when expected.  Apparently they were put aside temporarily for the digital Bessa.   This new camera is a really big deal, especially since RF users have been told for years such a camera was impossible due to technical limitations of the digital sensors.   A week before PMA,  Leica announced that with improvements in sensor technology, a  digital Leica M was about two years away.   Privately Leica estimated a retail body price of their new Digital Leica M to be about $6000 in 2006. 

Officially the details of the new "Bessa D" (real name not yet announced) will not be officially released  until March 11.   My guesses and observations are:

The digital Bessa is designed to make traditional RF users right at home, with a minimum of computer geekdom required.  I think this was  exactly the right move.  A lot of photogs are tired of their camera instruction book reading like a computer class.

I estimate the price much less than the Leica digital M's at $6000, but much more than previous Voigtlander cameras.  It is even possible the digital Bessa may be more expensive than Leica's M7 and MP.   It would be interesting if Leica M owners had to endure kidding as the "bargain priced rangefinder" for the first time since the Leica / Contax competition of the 1930's.

Let me make it clear I have not handled the digital Bessa.  Epson had the only samples locked up on display.  The mostly analog controls are a welcomed site to me, compared to most camera computer's controls, but your guess is as good as mine so far as exactly what each control is for.  Particularly enigmatic is what appears to be a traditional film rewind knob.  I wonder what switch or function that really controls.

 Being the first digital interchangeable lens RF, and probably the only one for up to two years until the Leica Digital M arrives, this is a very important camera, not only to Cosina Voigtlander, but to all RF shooters.

 The Epson connection comes as big a surprise as the camera. Who would have thought Epson would be  interested in making  in a digital RF  camera?    It remains to be seen how this plays, we find out March 11.

New 28/35 Mini-Finder and 35/2.5 M mount Pancake Lens

 tiny 28/35 Mini-finder, 35/2.5 Pancake Type II, LH-4 bayonet on lens shade, and new style lens cap.

 

The 28/35 Brightline Mini Finder weighs in at an amazing 19grams.  It has .5 Magnification, and with a minus .5 Diopter adjustment, 5 elements in 5 groups.  Both the 28 and 35 brightlines are visible at all times.  Chrome and black versions will be available.

 

The new 35/2.5 Pancake Type II's new optical formula is designed to make it as compact as possible.  It is made in Leica M mount only, as the new optics  do not allow construction in Leica screw mount.  Using 7 elements in 5 groups, 10 aperture blades, weighs in at only 134 grams, 39mm filter size, measuring 55mm wide by 23mm long, with rangefinder coupled focusing as close as .7 meter.  Physically the lens and shade are styled much like the Leica pre-aspheric 35/2 Summicron, even down to the focusing tab and aperture controls.   The bayonet on LH-4 vented shade will not fit other lenses, due to the bayonet mount.   The new snap on 39mm cap will likely prove popular for other lenses as well.

The mini-finder and new 35/2.5 Pancake are expected to arrive early April 2004. 

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Revised: February 20, 2004 .  Copyright © 2004  Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved.    This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind.  Information in this document is subject to change without notice.  Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.