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Epson targets users of traditional Leica rangefinders
An intriguing surprise on the Epson booth at this week's PMA show in Las Vegas was a Perspex case that, at first glance, appeared to contain a collection of Leica rangefinder cameras and some old Leica lenses.
In fact the two cameras on display were prototype digital cameras compatible with traditional Leica interchangeable rangefinder lenses. Developed with the assistance of the Japanese independent camera maker, Cosina, Epson is apparently targeting owners of relatively rare, expensive and exclusive rangefinder cameras. But beyond that the Japanese minder of this particular display would say no more.
What I can report is that the attention to detail in the design of the prototypes on display was very impressive. Although there is a LCD viewscreen on the back of the camera, from the front there is no hint that it's a digital camera. On the top plate there is an intricately presented circular window that looks rather like a compass dial. It actually encloses a complicated looking arrangement of analogue exposure setting dials. Oh, and this is the first digital camera I have seen that appears to retain a film advance lever!
Clearly Epson is targeting customers who don't tend to worry about details on price tags when they go shopping. This makes me ask – is there an expensive full-frame digital sensor hidden away inside the case? It would be a big shame to waste Leica lenses on a sensor of any other size.
When will you be able to buy one? The Epson rep wasn't saying but our guess is that this project will make a reappearance with rather more fanfare at the forthcoming Photokina trade show in Cologne, Germany, this coming September.
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