22 November 2009
November 2009
26/11/09 09:39
Is it possible to build the perfect camera? Of course it is: the technology is available, the manufacturing capabilities exist, even money is no problem. But ‘perfect’ is an elusive concept. The perfect shape for a fashion model is now quite different from what is was in the ‘fifties of the previous century. The Nikon F of 1959 was considered perfect because it offered the photographer a tool that could cope with existing assignments: it was extremely durable and reliable (photographers could not afford to buy a new camera every 18 months and did not want to relearn the handling of the camera), it was very flexible because every part could be exchanged for another one (the photographer could accept every assignment and adapt the camera to its own working habit), there was a large range of excellent quality lenses and with zoom lenses and motordrive expanded the scope of image taking. And indeed for more than a decade no one would even think of asking for more. The concept was so successful that the successors (Nikon F2 and competition Canon F1) hardly improved on the camera, but offered a twinkle more of automation. These cameras again lasted for a decade. And the feature list could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Current camera models have feature lists that approach book length and have evolved into computer assisted instruments for generating digital files. Taking pictures is now a small part of their scope and abilities, where in the past is was all there is. David Pogue of NYT has recently made a list of what would constitute a perfect camera.
1. Small enough for a pants pocket. 2. A big sensor. 3. Interchangeable lenses. 4. Simple, well-laid out controls. 5. Full manual controls. 6. Canned scene modes for beginners. 7. Superfast start-up. 8. No shutter lag (the annoying delay after you press the button). 9. No blur in low light. 10. An eyepiece viewfinder. 11. Huge screen. 12. Image stabilization. 13. Face recognition for perfect portraits. 14. The ability to take RAW photos (a format beloved by photographers because it lets them, in effect, change camera settings after the fact, using Photoshop). 15. Excellent burst mode — say, 5 shots a second. 16. Wide-angle lens. 17. Superzoom lens. 18. Customizable buttons. 19. Hi-def video capture. 20. Low price.
This list does provide a profile for the current mode in the picture world. We know take pictures in a totally different way than we did it half a century ago. And this list is a proof that we are constantly revising our idea of perfection. David Pogue notes that it is impossible to add all these requesta into one body simply because of the physics of size. A huge screen is not easy to fit in a camera that can be put in a pants pocket and when fitted with a superzoom lens it may be impossible. There is an interesting cultural shift to note: previous generations of photographers were happy to hang a camera around their neck so that every body could see they were photographers and the camera was immediately ready for shooting. Now we want a small camera in our pocket disguising the fact that we are photographers. The current style of picture taking is markedly different from what was the habit in previous decades.
The Leica M9 is firmly rooted in the old photographic style and when we check Pogue’s 20 points the M9 scores as follows (1) no, (2) yes, (3) yes, (4) yes, (5) yes, (6) n0, (7) no, (8) yes, (9) no, (10) yes, (11) no, (12) no, (13) no, (14) yes, (15) no, (16) yes, (17) no, (18) no, (19) no, (20) no.
Most positive checks point to features that belong to the Leica heritage, but most negative points refer to modern-style demands like HD video and face recognition. Can we then conclude that the M9 is not a perfect camera? Or to answer the question at the start of this article: could Leica build the perfect camera. They once did (it was the M3) and it is not a far stretch of the imagination to state that the M9 is quite close as the digitized and modernized version of the M3. But perfection is now measured along a different ruler (see the 20 points list).
By the way: After the introduction of the Leica M8 problems with the sensor emerged and the reputation of the M8 was severely compromised. The history is in danger of repeating itself: the M9 has an issue with the shading behavior when very wide angle lenses are used. Most explanations now in vogue are lacking substance, but Leica should quickly respond to this issue.
Current camera models have feature lists that approach book length and have evolved into computer assisted instruments for generating digital files. Taking pictures is now a small part of their scope and abilities, where in the past is was all there is. David Pogue of NYT has recently made a list of what would constitute a perfect camera.
1. Small enough for a pants pocket. 2. A big sensor. 3. Interchangeable lenses. 4. Simple, well-laid out controls. 5. Full manual controls. 6. Canned scene modes for beginners. 7. Superfast start-up. 8. No shutter lag (the annoying delay after you press the button). 9. No blur in low light. 10. An eyepiece viewfinder. 11. Huge screen. 12. Image stabilization. 13. Face recognition for perfect portraits. 14. The ability to take RAW photos (a format beloved by photographers because it lets them, in effect, change camera settings after the fact, using Photoshop). 15. Excellent burst mode — say, 5 shots a second. 16. Wide-angle lens. 17. Superzoom lens. 18. Customizable buttons. 19. Hi-def video capture. 20. Low price.
This list does provide a profile for the current mode in the picture world. We know take pictures in a totally different way than we did it half a century ago. And this list is a proof that we are constantly revising our idea of perfection. David Pogue notes that it is impossible to add all these requesta into one body simply because of the physics of size. A huge screen is not easy to fit in a camera that can be put in a pants pocket and when fitted with a superzoom lens it may be impossible. There is an interesting cultural shift to note: previous generations of photographers were happy to hang a camera around their neck so that every body could see they were photographers and the camera was immediately ready for shooting. Now we want a small camera in our pocket disguising the fact that we are photographers. The current style of picture taking is markedly different from what was the habit in previous decades.
The Leica M9 is firmly rooted in the old photographic style and when we check Pogue’s 20 points the M9 scores as follows (1) no, (2) yes, (3) yes, (4) yes, (5) yes, (6) n0, (7) no, (8) yes, (9) no, (10) yes, (11) no, (12) no, (13) no, (14) yes, (15) no, (16) yes, (17) no, (18) no, (19) no, (20) no.
Most positive checks point to features that belong to the Leica heritage, but most negative points refer to modern-style demands like HD video and face recognition. Can we then conclude that the M9 is not a perfect camera? Or to answer the question at the start of this article: could Leica build the perfect camera. They once did (it was the M3) and it is not a far stretch of the imagination to state that the M9 is quite close as the digitized and modernized version of the M3. But perfection is now measured along a different ruler (see the 20 points list).
By the way: After the introduction of the Leica M8 problems with the sensor emerged and the reputation of the M8 was severely compromised. The history is in danger of repeating itself: the M9 has an issue with the shading behavior when very wide angle lenses are used. Most explanations now in vogue are lacking substance, but Leica should quickly respond to this issue.