View Full Version : Fake project- Leica digital CL
Hi all, I am working on some fake projects just for fun. First thing came to mind was "what if" someone wants to put digital CL into production?! and I am hired to run the whole product development!!:p Okay, first of all, it has to be small, light and relatively inexpensive (at least comparable to an used M8 price range), so full frame sensor, brass top plate, magnesium body are out for now. Also, Let's utilize more of the "physical dials" rather than going through buttons and screen ( I even thought about get rid of the LCD screen completely, just use it like a film camera, but it kind of defeats the purpose of a digital camera) I have the shutter speed dial in the front in the earlier sketches, but I choose conventional design in the end to keep it plain, discreet and maybe lower manufacturing cost.
http://tungchow.net/3D_Pages/Images_LeicaCL/CL_02.jpg
http://tungchow.net/3D_Pages/Images_LeicaCL/CL_03.jpg
http://tungchow.net/3D_Pages/Images_LeicaCL/CL_04.jpg
http://tungchow.net/3D_Pages/Images_LeicaCL/CL_01.jpg
Located in the middle of the shutter speed dial is the ISO dial, just like the original CL design, except the indicator is on the bottom right.
I don't think Leica will make the digital CL in the near future since the launch of the X1 and M9. I am just daydreaming. However, any thoughts and comments on my design are much appreciated. I am not completely happy with the design yet, I will refine it some more. Also, I am trying to come up with another design project. Instead of a fake M10, maybe a screen-less M3-D... any more ideas?
p.s. English is not my first language, please take it easy on my grammar and spelling:o
Very cool graphic design and rendering!!! Hey, I'd buy one based on what you have :)
Pickett Wilson
01-08-2010, 23:22
Very clean design. I'll take one!
Really, nice work.
8000 shutter speed! Iso 3200!
WOW!
Chris101
01-08-2010, 23:47
Cool project Juju! "Made in Gerpan" ... I love it!
But the pictures are WAY too wide - I can't read any of your post because of the extreme horizontal scrolling needed.
Thanks for all your kind words:o
Leica might consider making digital CL if they see enough "I'll take one" kind of comments :D
@Chris good eyes!:D also, image size problem fixed
@Cyrus Yeah, I know :D
tom.w.bn
01-09-2010, 00:35
The sketches look really good. But the rendered model does not look like one of the sketches. The sketches are all ergonomically better because of the easy access to the shutter speed dial.
One question: you want a red dot on it or do you want it cheap?
spiderfrank
01-09-2010, 00:36
beautiful design, but why didn't you put a longer rangefinder? Or perhaps it could be nice also an electronic one (Contax G1 / G2), a auto-zoom viewfinder, and just a led in it to indicate the focus is right. To avoid to have a dim viewfinder, I'd use a system similar to a telescope: you look from the left side on the back, than there is a mirror, a zoom from left to right, an other mirror, and the window in the center or right side of the camera. The electronic rangefinder module is small and the two system should live togeter on the top of the camera... Just some thoughts to stimulate the project! ;-)
Ciao
Franco
tom.w.bn
01-09-2010, 00:41
....I'd use a system similar to a telescope: you look from the left side on the back, than there is a mirror, a zoom from left to right, an other mirror, and the window in the center or right side of the camera. ....
:confused: You want to take photos by looking from the left in the camera? In a 90 deg. angle to the subject you want to photograph?
ashrafazlan
01-09-2010, 01:22
Hey I didn't know RFF had another 3d artist :D How bout a comp over a real background, right next to an M8. Might be good enough to attract a large crowd..possibly catch Leica's eye? :)
spiderfrank
01-09-2010, 02:48
:confused: You want to take photos by looking from the left in the camera? In a 90 deg. angle to the subject you want to photograph?
ah ah !! no, this is what i mean:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/spiderfrank/Immagine6.jpg
Spider67
01-09-2010, 03:00
Downright great!!!!!
Perhaps this could be an economy model in a few years
.....I am just afraid that due to the dismountable back a digital Zorki 4 is much more feasible...on the other side so is a digital Contax or Kiev
snausages
01-09-2010, 03:07
that's so cool. i'd buy the sketch of the camera.
tritiated
01-09-2010, 03:34
Really good concept art!
Although I prefer the drawing with shutterspeed dial on the front - as in the original CL. The little screen on the top is a good idea!
Nice job, but whatever happened to the guy here that was actually adapting an M (3?) to digital?
Strangeluv
01-09-2010, 04:43
Fabulous idea. Bloddy hell, Id sure buy one if it ever went into production :)
benmacphoto
01-09-2010, 04:56
I really like that design. Would definitely buy one if it were ever made.
Great idea. I'm standing in line for this one as well :-)
totifoto
01-09-2010, 05:35
Cool ! :cool:
Brian Sweeney
01-09-2010, 05:40
Very nice CAD work.
Now you need the Solid Printer to go with it!
Very nice design!
I would suggest two changes:
1. Move the self timer to a rear button or menu item. The curremt arrangement makes a "blind" power on operation too touchy. I want a camera than can be turned on and off by feel while walking. The switch should only have two positions, on and off.
2. Provide a dedicated dial/switch control for EV compensation. EV comp should not be a menu item in a camera with an automatic exposure mode. Classic film cameras had two exposure contols, f/stop and shutter speed. In effect, modern autoexposure digital cameras have four of nearly equal importance; ISO, EV comp, f/stop, & shutter speed. All controls should have their own dedicated controls.
@spiderfrank Cool idea, wouldn't it increase the base length of the RF mechanism?
@ashrafazlan Yeah, I will comp it next to an M8 in a real environment when I finalize the design, thanks!
@Spider67 hum... Kiev with a digital back... maybe I can do a project on digital backs?:p
@Brian Sweeney The rendering was actually done in MAYA, for your eyes only :(
@Dwig Points taken, I did accidentally turn my M8 to self-timer mode when taking shots a few times:bang: I'll love to get rid of it. Also, I use EV comp all the time when shooting in auto exposure mode as well. Great idea to have its own dial.
@all Thank you all for your kind words and comments, I will post some more renderings when I finalize the design :)
underbyte
01-12-2010, 07:19
Don't you realize what you have done????
Scandalous!
Sketches of the digital CL are going to cannibalize sales or at least the sketches of an M10!!!!! You alone could bring down Leica, or bring back the M5, I'm not sure which will happen first.
Put me down for a digital CL too, with an adjustable .72 to 1:1 finder.
Looks like someone found this post and write it nicer than I ever could...
Looks like someone found this post and write it nicer than I ever could...
You do have a point if I'm understanding correctly what're implying.
Naumoski
01-18-2011, 07:43
Great design, must admit.
I would give a vote to: making digital camera without LCD screen - then, a lot of film photographers would stop complaining about "looking on LCD screen after every taken picture is.. bla bla bla" :D
You do have a point if I'm understanding correctly what're implying.
Yeah, it's confusing without seeing this (http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/12/30/an-open-letter-to-leica-by-ashwin-rao/) first...
Great design, must admit.
I would give a vote to: making digital camera without LCD screen - then, a lot of film photographers would stop complaining about "looking on LCD screen after every taken picture is.. bla bla bla" :D
Exactly! I am actually working on a screen-less camera design. It's quite tough to approach that since the camera will have a lot more physical dials without the on screen menus.
Yeah, it's confusing without seeing this (http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/12/30/an-open-letter-to-leica-by-ashwin-rao/) first...
I'd suggest you seek some feedback from Steve Huff and then find out what he thinks, also speak with those who know about the technicality of such matters. That is the best you can do for now.
I'll take three - black paint, chrome with Levant leather, and gold with lizard.
Vick
I like it. Be sure to include framelines for 21, 24, 28, 35, & 50mm lenses. The finder magnification should probably be lowered to around .6 to get the 21mm framelines in view. A manual frameline selector might make it possible to have only one frameline visible at a time. I wonder if a focus confirmation LED might be better than a short-base rangefinder? I'd want 1/3 stop steps for ISO setting. A useable low-noise top ISO of 1600 or even 1250 would be enough for me.
This is a much-needed camera. Let's keep this thread going. Maybe they'll make it!
Nice job, but whatever happened to the guy here that was actually adapting an M (3?) to digital?
I think you might be referring to Hugh Finney, who was working on a digital M2 for black & white? Where did he go?
I'd suggest you seek some feedback from Steve Huff and then find out what he thinks, also speak with those who know about the technicality of such matters. That is the best you can do for now.
Yeah, there are quite many great and useful thoughts on the replies to that post. However I can't even post any replies just to correct the spelling of my name there. Maybe my IP was locked there or something :rolleyes: I will watermark my renderings from now on. Lesson learned.
I'll take three - black paint, chrome with Levant leather, and gold with lizard.
Vick
Gold & lizard?! That will be CL's 30 year special edition!! I love the idea.
wish it will happen one day :P
nice sketches!
robklurfield
06-09-2011, 18:38
Gosh, if that's all it will take to convince Leica to make this, then you can put my name on the list.:D
Thanks for all your kind words:o
Leica might consider making digital CL if they see enough "I'll take one" kind of comments :D
@Chris good eyes!:D also, image size problem fixed
@Cyrus Yeah, I know :D
heatherselkie
06-09-2011, 21:44
Juju: I love the design, I love the sketches! I am still waiting for my cl to come in the mail, but this is great. I hope you send it to Leica. Surely they want to make some money. The CL saved their butts before, it could do it again.
Rubber contoured handgrip on the back, as on the R-D1, please.
Would someone just make one already?! :confused: Epson tried but quit while they were ahead and CV said outrightly they wouldn't ever make one. :bang:
If it came with just the CL frame lines but in FF, I'm in.
Juju: I love the design, I love the sketches! I am still waiting for my cl to come in the mail, but this is great. I hope you send it to Leica. Surely they want to make some money. The CL saved their butts before, it could do it again.
The M4-2 also did this before, but I don't think we'll ever see a MP4-2 Anniversary edition anytime soon... :rolleyes:
damien.murphy
06-10-2011, 00:40
Well, if Leica aren't listening, perhaps Fuji are! :)
Would love something like a digital CL, and would buy one without hesitation.
shootodog
06-18-2011, 23:23
Well, if Leica aren't listening, perhaps Fuji are! :)
Would love something like a digital CL, and would buy one without hesitation.
i hope they do.
Nice job, but whatever happened to the guy here that was actually adapting an M (3?) to digital?
Hi,
I saw this (on an airplane):
Minox (http://www.amazon.com/MINOX-DCC-Leica-Digital-Camera/dp/B000LRIU54).
But is a very poor implementation of the idea.
Yes, why not "glue" a FF sensor on the filmplane; why have there not been crafty people who offer such a conversion?
A kit would not have to be too expensive: no viewer, no selection of speed, just plane 160 A, RAW, stored, with a separate battery for the electronics.
Would work well for an M6/7.
I am equally wondering why nobody offers a Nikon-F or Canon-F (I have one) refurbishment service, in the same style. Come on, can't be sky rocket research and development.
What an amazing job!!
If the price was under US$1000,- that would be a best-seller!
What an amazing job!!
If the price was under US$1000,- that would be a best-seller!
But then Leica couldn't make zillions from their vastly over-priced M-9s. That's Not good business.
Tung Chao, how are you not working as a designer for leica already?
I'd buy this.
The Meaness
08-24-2011, 05:46
Excellent. Another great concept!
Thank for your kind words, everyone. Maybe Leica can recycle M8's parts into a cheaper body, then call it CL-D. A model filling the gap between M9 and X1.
Tung Chao, how are you not working as a designer for leica already?
I'd buy this.
lol, If I get hired by Leica, it'll be funny to see "Made in Germany, designed by Chinese American" label on cameras :D
My first name is Tung Chow, although "chao" sounds the same :o
goodtimes
08-24-2011, 06:10
Very beautiful CAD. I'd take the highest speed down to 1/4000 and ISO down to 50.
How about a metal sliding cover for the display?
lol, If I get hired by Leica, it'll be funny to see "Made in Germany, designed by Chinese American" label on cameras :D
My first name is Tung Chow, although "chao" sounds the same :o
Whoops my bad - it's late here in Australia!
Designed by Chinese American would make some Leica purists squirm for sure!
PrecisionCamera
08-24-2011, 06:48
I love the sketches! Can you let us be the premier store for the initial run of your design on the CL-D? :)
Personally I think you could just put in the work an possibly have your own line of Digital Rangefinders since Leica seems so hesitant to assist the hungry masses you should just brand them yourself. Seriously good work sir, as a design guy I'm in love with your sketch style and your ingenuity of the outer user experience. Let me know when you get the TC-CLD around production, i'll be prepurchasing.
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