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Overview of the SL300R

I'm with you there Irakly.
Why camera manufacturers in general seemingly can no longer provide the traditional controls is beyond me. I think that they must think that menus and button pressing are simpler but they are not. OK you have to learn how to use a camera with traditional controls but once that has been done IMHO they are much simpler.
Cheers,
John
 
<Digital photography has adopted the worst habits of my industry (computers). Products are feature-driven, churn through the market, and break a month out of warranty.>

<I feel that with a lot of these digitals it is a case of 'let's see how small we can make these'>


Another morning spent reading about endless numbers, digits, pixels, programs, functions, auto-focus, multi-metering systems, batteries, features fit for one with lots of time, and looking a fuzzy representations of photographs, I am tired. Now, despite size, weight, the current trend in technology, I would be so very happy to open a box containing a brand new Zeiss Ikon Contaflex S. The thought is almost soothing.

Regards

Gilbert
 
Seems we're all thinking nearly along the same lines about these new releases. Wouldn't it be nice to be a part of a focus group that the manufacturer's use (if they do that!) in determining what we really want? -Lynn

PS: Gilbert, I agree completely! Did I mention my gorgeous little Contaflex Super is on its way back to me? It turns out something had been left loose in the film transport area. Can't wait!
 
Here, here, Lynn and why don't they use us? It must be much cheaper than market research and we really use cameras and are enthusiasts. Maybe the mass market is where the money is!
John
 
Oh! How we seem so quick to criticise. I sometimes wonder if the people in this forum are Contax lovers or trolls from another Forum! There! Now I'm being critical too (but not about Contax)!

We moan when Contax doesn't appear to give us choice, then moan when they do!

I remember people moaning when they brought out T and TVS series and said they were Yashica rip-offs with bells and whistles stuck on them. But, how they love their little T's now! Nostalgia?

I think Robert has it very well in perspective. If Joe, the happy snapper, wants to buy a million and keeps the funds going for what “we want†... I’ll go along with that. If we wanted a lifetime tool, then we would all still be using the RTS and Contax would long ago have gone bust!

Choice ... it’s all about choice! You can buy a 645, or RTS III, or RXII, or Aria, or, N1, or NX or ND (Whoa! Let’s not open that debate up again), or a G, or one of the T series, or a T digital. It’s up to you and your needs.

Let’s not forget that no one forces you to buy a camera just because Contax brings out a new one. If you like the simplicity of a 139Q or 137MA, there’s plenty of good ones out there at good prices! Etc ... etc.

If you are budget conscious and don’t like the rapid depreciation (I don’t!) of Digital cameras (ALL makes!) – don’t buy one!

(From Lynn’s post) ...

" there is no denying that the image processor in the SL300R advances the state of the art. Please forward to your friends. It makes a sexy Christmas gift. Jimâ€

Hey Lynn, do you think Jim thinks it vibrates quietly and that the batteries are included
happy.gif


Cheers, but with a sigh, Bob.
 
Hmm! The strange characters don't appear in the forum, but do in the email version! Best to view my last message in the forum.

Bob.
 
Hi Bob, Sure, sometimes we do get weighed down in trivialities, but the discussion of this newest digital seems fair game. It sure is a surprise, considering many felt that another N-series digital was coming. The new one has a place somewhere among the photographic community - but maybe not the place many hoped.

As for why that new camera might be a "sexy christmas gift" I admit I puzzled over that suggestion myself. I didn't feel inclined to ask for more info ;)

John, about where the money is, yes, I think you've hit it. I wonder though , if they could do what some of the auto makers did. Remember when Toyota (an d others) first came into the international marketplace many years ago? They built loads and loads of economy cars that almost any buyer could afford. B y selling in high volumes they financed their future and now make some first-class models. I can't help wondering if maybe Kyocera is looking at the amateur market as the source of a cash infusion to allow further work for the professional product segment? I don't know. Just thinking. -Lynn
 
Lynn,

The mass market is where the $$'s are. And what the masses want is different from what the contributors to this forum want - maybe. I love my N1, and I havea Canon S45, which has terrible shutter lag and is too big to fit in a shirt pocket. I would like a small digital cam of high quality for impromptu shots. Other times,I want a full system.

By the way, the new Leica is beautiful! I, too, would love to see Contax design such a camera. Maybe based on the look and feel of the G2? But there are still times when I'll want something much smaller.
 
Yes, could be Lynn but I wonder why they ditched the Yashica brand when we used to have the everyday and affordable Yashica brand and the quality Contax brand with parts interchangeable with Yashica, running side by side. Now we have Kyocera. I suppose that they felt that they should raise the profile of Kyocera. But it must be to the detriment of the established brand names (except to those in the know) meaning a struggle to re-establish themselves.
Cheers,
John
 
Hi John

Maybe Kyocera saw the sense of not running the FR series against the RTS series, or the FX-D against the 139Q!

Where are Nikkormat or Nikkorex now? Is a Rollei still Rollei? Voigtlander.... do I need to spell it out?

Who offered AF first (ignoring prototypes not taken into production) Contax or Yashica(Kyocera)? Yashica 230AF(1986), while Contax where still experimenting with a 159MM and 167MT(derivitive of many that went before!)

Who put the first Digital camera onto the market? Contax or Yashica (Kyocera)? KC600?

For all you Kyocera bashers, I ask one simple question .... where is the money coming from for future cameras .... Contax or Kyocera? Think hard before answering!

(Robert .... I see we think alike!)

Cheers, Bob.
 
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