The 10-megapixel Leica DMR digital back for the Leica R8 and R9 SLRs is due to be released on June 15th (2005), well behind schedule. Sample cameras are already in the hands of photographers who are starting to upload photographs taken with the camera/back combination. Here are some examples:
- Discussion with some shots
- Leica DMR vs Canon 20D comparisons (updated 2005.06.04)
- Leica DMR shots
- Leica Camera official downloads
The DMR is a 3872 x 2576 Pixels (10 Megapixel) sensor back with 1.37x crop factor that replaces the usual film back/motor on the R8 and R9 SLRs. The digital back can be field replaced with the film back or vice versa, which means the same camera can be used for both film and digital files in the same session.
This page will be updated as more sites are found. Suggestions welcome as always.
Meanwhile, Leica Camera is struggling to remain financially afloat. The German press has more information: http://www.mittelhessen.de/artikeldruck.php?content_id=230285&dir=153. Leica has recently posted a more positive news release (2005.05.31):
The Extraordinary General Meeting of Leica Camera AG on May 31, 2005 has approved the capital measures proposed by the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board, in each case with a vast majority of more than 90%. As announced in essential outline in the electronic Federal Gazette (elektronischer Bundesanzeiger) of April 20, 2005, the measures consist of a simplified capital reduction, an increase of the share capital against contributions in cash and a creation of authorised capital. At the General Meeting, Dr. Josef Spichtig, Chairman of the Board of Management of Leica Camera AG since April 18, 2005, described these measures as being indispensable for the existence of the Company. He rated the consent given by the shareholders as a declaration for the preservation of the Company and a positive attitude to its perspectives in the future. The Company now plans to issue 13.5 million new shares at a price of € 1.70 per share. The new shares will initially be offered to the existing shareholders of the Company.
Maybe you are intersted on my personal review of the Mamiya ZD? I could handle one of the 40 preproduction units for some hours.
Possi
Sorry its in German, try some of the "ugly" web language tools if you cannot understand...
In case it's not obvious, Dr. Possberg's review of the ZD is located at: http://www.possi.de/fotografie/mamiyazd.html