More on the Leica M9 and a link to new M System brochure

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by zebulus

What I dont understand is why full frame cameras are so expensive?

So the sensor is a teency bit bigger, big deal. Dont tell me its the viewfinders. They have been putting them in film cameras for ages. Why is it that full frame digital cameras are so stinkin expensive?

It's not the size of the sensor but the flange to sensor depth in an M body needed to maintain 70 years of lens compatablity and to work with wides like the 21mm Super Angulon which comes very close to the film plane. Film is not sensitive to highly oblique light rays but sensors are. They need a much lower angle of incidence to fill the 'well.' Until now no sensor could meet those conditions and give the image quality over the frame that Leica required. Finally they and Kodak have developed a microlens structure which over comes that.

21mm Super Angulon, note how far the base extends back from the mounting flange.

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by JohnT

It's the old "If you build it, they will come" adage. They sell for the given price because people will pay it.

I think you are correct. The reason that Canon and Nikon and guys charge so much for their full frame sensor cameras is because people will pay it. Simple enough.

Its a shame though, I think the technology is there for them to make all SLR's full frame and keep the price points the same, they just dont so they can make more money.

[texxter]

Originally Posted by crackhead

I agree 8K is very high. But 1K is a preposterously low price for a full frame digital rangefinder, which is probably an order of magnitude more difficult to produce than a fullframe DSLR

You're right about $1K being too low a price today for any full size sensor camera, I should have said $2K for today's technology. But when/if a small full-size sensor, rangefinder-type form factor camera, becomes available for $1K, I'd buy one. Not sure enough of a market exists for this to ever happen.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by texxter

You're right about $1K being too low a price today for any full size sensor camera, I should have said $2K for today's technology. But when/if a small full-size sensor, rangefinder-type form factor camera, becomes available for $1K, I'd buy one. Not sure enough of a market exists for this to ever happen.

Even the 1.5 sensor Epson R-D1 used still goes for 1500 and up. The new production is still about 3500.
It was the first ever Digital Rangefinder.

johnastovall added 4 Minutes and 4 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by zebulus

What I dont understand is why full frame cameras are so expensive?

So the sensor is a teency bit bigger, big deal. Dont tell me its the viewfinders. They have been putting them in film cameras for ages. Why is it that full frame digital cameras are so stinkin expensive?

It is a big deal. Bigger sensors lower yields in fab. All semiconductor prices are governed by the good to bad yield ration. Also not the Canon and Nikon full frames are very well built and not like their prosumers.