Mirrorless Camera design according to Sexton and LL. Agree?

[amalric]

here:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/camera_design.shtml

I find it interesting because it discusses a few things that came up here when the OM-D was first rumoured, namely if the hump is correct design or the opposite.

I am not interested in his prediction about APS replacing m4/3 in the long turn, like discussed in another thread.

But Richard Sexton may have a point, starting from the Leica FF, against the excesses of retro i.e. where form prevails over function.

What do you think? Indeed the OM-D leaves me cold, and I much prefer the NEX 7 solution. I wonder also when Panny might abandon its faux-dSLR paradigm. for something more streamlined. a ' la LC1 ( or was it the L1?)

Am.
--
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amalric

 

[Aleo Veuliah]

here:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/camera_design.shtml

I find it interesting because it discusses a few things that came up here when the OM-D was first rumoured, namely if the hump is correct design or the opposite.

I am not interested in his prediction about APS replacing m4/3 in the long turn, like discussed in another thread.

But Richard Sexton may have a point, starting from the Leica FF, against the excesses of retro i.e. where form prevails over function.

What do you think? Indeed the OM-D leaves me cold, and I much prefer the NEX 7 solution. I wonder also when Panny might abandon its faux-dSLR paradigm. for something more streamlined. a ' la LC1 ( or was it the L1?)

Am.

Those were in a form that I really like, maybe we see a new version of the LC1, at least rumor speak about that for a long time, or maybe it is just wishes ...

• L1

• LC1

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

God is the tangential point between zero and infinity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

God always take the simplest way.

• http://aleo-photo.org

• http://blog.aleo-photo.org

 

[Aleo Veuliah]

• http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_lc1-review/

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

God is the tangential point between zero and infinity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

God always take the simplest way.

• http://aleo-photo.org

• http://blog.aleo-photo.org

 

[amalric]

Thank you for the piccies.

Indeed they are unforgotten shapes. BTW, one of my design ideas is, that once the EVF is built in, a smaller LCD, would offer more space for uncramped buttons.

Better ergos, better haptics, than in the OM-D. But I don't see people giving up easily the large tilting screen...

Am.
--
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amalric

 

[dr_elis]

...against the excesses of retro i.e. where form prevails over function.

Good point. These retro designs are a bit tiring. When form follows function one get´s a aesthetically more pleasing and objectively better product.

 

[Aleo Veuliah]

Thank you for the piccies.

Indeed they are unforgotten shapes. BTW, one of my design ideas is, that once the EVF is built in, a smaller LCD, would offer more space for uncramped buttons.

Better ergos, better haptics, than in the OM-D. But I don't see people giving up easily the large tilting screen...

Am.
--
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amalric

I agree, I don't mind also to have a smaller LCD and more good and well positioned useful buttons

But it is like you said, people now are used to a larger LCD, to me the viewfinder is all, and it is the best way to take pictures

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

God is the tangential point between zero and infinity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

God always take the simplest way.

• http://aleo-photo.org

• http://blog.aleo-photo.org

 

[wildwilly]

Well, for me, I much prefer a hump if it allows both a TTL viewfinder and a hotshoe (I do not like the hotshoe mounted viewfinders). I use a hotshoe mounted flash at the same time as the viewfinder. I also do not like smaller LCDs, for this, the larger the better, within reason. Remember, technology must interface with the human user and technology for technologies sake may provide horrible usability issues.

--
John

Semper Fi!

 

[Jogger]

.. thats about it. Facebook paid 1 billion for a sepia filter so people (hipsters) can make their expensive iphones look like cameras from 1950. The NEX7 design isnt for everyone, some find it too clinical, modern, etc.

here:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/camera_design.shtml

I find it interesting because it discusses a few things that came up here when the OM-D was first rumoured, namely if the hump is correct design or the opposite.

I am not interested in his prediction about APS replacing m4/3 in the long turn, like discussed in another thread.

But Richard Sexton may have a point, starting from the Leica FF, against the excesses of retro i.e. where form prevails over function.

What do you think? Indeed the OM-D leaves me cold, and I much prefer the NEX 7 solution. I wonder also when Panny might abandon its faux-dSLR paradigm. for something more streamlined. a ' la LC1 ( or was it the L1?)

Am.
--
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amalric

 

[Aleo Veuliah]

That really depends on tastes, there is no better or worse, what is important to me is to have a good viewfinder, optical or electronic, but I like much the range finder cameras style

Well, for me, I much prefer a hump if it allows both a TTL viewfinder and a hotshoe (I do not like the hotshoe mounted viewfinders). I use a hotshoe mounted flash at the same time as the viewfinder. I also do not like smaller LCDs, for this, the larger the better, within reason. Remember, technology must interface with the human user and technology for technologies sake may provide horrible usability issues.

--
John

Semper Fi!

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

God is the tangential point between zero and infinity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

God always take the simplest way.

• http://aleo-photo.org

• http://blog.aleo-photo.org

 

[Aleo Veuliah]

.. thats about it. Facebook paid 1 billion for a sepia filter so people (hipsters) can make their expensive iphones look like cameras from 1950. The NEX7 design isnt for everyone, some find it too clinical, modern, etc.

One billion, amazing amount ... how can a filter have that cost ?

here:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/camera_design.shtml

I find it interesting because it discusses a few things that came up here when the OM-D was first rumoured, namely if the hump is correct design or the opposite.

I am not interested in his prediction about APS replacing m4/3 in the long turn, like discussed in another thread.

But Richard Sexton may have a point, starting from the Leica FF, against the excesses of retro i.e. where form prevails over function.

What do you think? Indeed the OM-D leaves me cold, and I much prefer the NEX 7 solution. I wonder also when Panny might abandon its faux-dSLR paradigm. for something more streamlined. a ' la LC1 ( or was it the L1?)

Am.
--
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amalric

--
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

God is the tangential point between zero and infinity.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

God always take the simplest way.

• http://aleo-photo.org

• http://blog.aleo-photo.org

 

[limlh]

A rotating LCD screen is about function more than anything else. Have you seen a photographer lying flat on the ground or doing all sorts of contortion to take a low angle shot? It's more common than you think. A touch screen tilting LCD also allows from shooting from the waist.

--
http://www.pbase.com/lhlim

 

[Daz90]

He's talking about Instagram
Yes they over paid, but who cares they're absolutely rolling in money right now

 

[ElliotV]

Neither the retro design nor the DSLR look are inspiring to me, but the technology inside is. The LC1 design would be great.

Could a 3" LCD/OLED panel still be fitted and buttons slightly enlarged if they simply widened the camera a bit? For instance, the OM-D is approximately 14mm narrower than the OM-1 and 4mm taller, and 9mm narrower and 6.5mm taller than the Pentax ME Super (the two film cameras I happen to have on hand). Is there an aversion to wider, but in some ways more compact and utilitarian, cameras?

 

[BamaPanda]

...such as the Fuji X-Pro1 ...aren't these retro in looks as is the OMD?

LL makes the point about moving forward with a look like the Sony ..yet some of their favorite toys ..such as the Pentax 645 ..is that not a retro look?

Except for the curves on the latest DSLRs such as the Nikon 8000 ...it is still the same basic shape as the 'retro' SLRs of yore.

My view. Many DSLRs look like many modern cars ...I call them soap bars.

One more thing. Many wish the viewfinder out to the left side to use the right eye ...keeping the nose away from the lcd. Me ...? I shoot with my left eye.

Am I weird?

 

[amalric]

Neither the retro design nor the DSLR look are inspiring to me, but the technology inside is. The LC1 design would be great.

Could a 3" LCD/OLED panel still be fitted and buttons slightly enlarged if they simply widened the camera a bit? For instance, the OM-D is approximately 14mm narrower than the OM-1 and 4mm taller, and 9mm narrower and 6.5mm taller than the Pentax ME Super (the two film cameras I happen to have on hand). Is there an aversion to wider, but in some ways more compact and utilitarian, cameras?

I tried the X Pro 1, and I must say that in this respect, they have it right. Command buttons are much better than in any m4/3. People there however complain that there is no movable screen, so that is a consideration too.

As Sexton concludes, nobody has it completely right for mirrorless, but we are very close. Yet another effort of functional imagination!

Am.

--
Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amalric

 

[tinternaut]

Yes, there is the aesthetic but also, from the point of view of practiced photographers, it just works in terms of having the basic settings at hand. So, retro can also be very practical.

As for the hump, at least it is none discriminatory. The position of the VF in the Leica rangefinder designed was made very much with those who shoot with their right eye in mind - not only do they see around the frame a little with their right eye to the VF but they can also see more around the frame with their left eye. The hump is a good compromise for both left and right eyed photographers.

Not I'd add that I ever feel particularly disadvantaged with my left peering into my L1's VF (and nose squashed against the LCD).

--
Regards
J

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Gear in profile

 

[Jogger]

If youre interseted in the em5, the side grip helps alot by provide more surface area to cover your palm and fingers.. ie. instead of widening the camera, it get deeper giving you about the same surface area

Neither the retro design nor the DSLR look are inspiring to me, but the technology inside is. The LC1 design would be great.

Could a 3" LCD/OLED panel still be fitted and buttons slightly enlarged if they simply widened the camera a bit? For instance, the OM-D is approximately 14mm narrower than the OM-1 and 4mm taller, and 9mm narrower and 6.5mm taller than the Pentax ME Super (the two film cameras I happen to have on hand). Is there an aversion to wider, but in some ways more compact and utilitarian, cameras?

 

[Art_P]

Olympus could make the LCD an extra cost option. :0
--
Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"

 

[ElliotV]

The Fuji looks very nice. I haven't read about it because of investment in m4/3 and the price of the Fuji.

 

[Johann D]

If you don't like the hump, don't buy the hump. Simple as that.