I'm still holding my breath for ...

[dmr]

... A "digital film", as has been announced a couple times but never made into production.

I would really like to see digital as an option, in other words, some way to use the same camera system with digital or film.

The big thing that bothers me about "going digital" is that you are stuck with the same "film" for the life of the camera. As with most electronics, it's on the edge of obsolescence when it makes it to the showroom floor. I doubt, for example, that I would like shooting with the GIII as well if I were limited to shooting 1970s vintage Ektachrome only.

I would sure love to see one of the major manufacturers include a film transport on a DSLR or DRF. Make digital be one "film" option among many!

[jimcollum]

you have that option with the leica R9. the digital module can be removed and the film used as well.. and it's an excellent sensor as far as digital goes.

[naturephoto1]

you have that option with the leica R9. the digital module can be removed and the film used as well.. and it's an excellent sensor as far as digital goes.

As well as with the older Leica R8. Both cameras will work with the module, however there is the multiplier of a bout 1.3X for the lenses when working with the digital rather than the film back. The Digital Module R however is really expensive however in the vicinity of about $6000 as I recall with 10.8 megapixels but much more color depth than the top of the line Canon or Nikon digital SLRs.

Rich

[mhv]

Do you mean this: http://www.side.com/ ?

It's the biggest vaporware ever! On Wired's list for many years.

[W.A.Crider]

Of course we all know that many digital backs are available for the likes of Hasselblad, Mamiya etc allowing us to shoot both film and digital. It's only comes down to the ability to afford them that stops some of us.

[Bromo33333]

you have that option with the leica R9. the digital module can be removed and the film used as well.. and it's an excellent sensor as far as digital goes.

And don't forget the numerous digital backs available for medium format (Phase One, Jenoptik, IMacon/Hasselblad, Leaf, and so on) and large format (Better Light scanning backs). All of these would allow swapping between film and digital if one were so inclined, and had the wherewithal or could rent.

[dmr]

Do you mean this: http://www.side.com/ ?

Uh-huh. I recall seeing others similar to this too, but as you say, vaporware.

The Leica DMR (LOL, yes, I know ...) is way outa my price range, especially if you add the price of the R8 or R9, which I don't have. Plus, that thing is HUGE, judging from the photos I've seen. Same for a MF with a digital back, big.

Plus, for some reason, I don't really know why, the small sensor size bothers me. I know one of the Canon DSLRs has a full 36x24, so I know that is do-able.

What I want is not made (yet) and that would be like a 35mm cartridge that I can just drop in the GIII or the Mamiya or the Pentax and shoot normally, then plug into the PC or laptop to process. I really don't need a screen or teeny-tiny buttons or menus and such.

I would think that if the demand were there, it would happen. I guess the Teeming Millions would rather just buy a new DSLR ... and another in a few more years ... and another ... rinse, repeat.

Oh well ...

[Bromo33333]

I would think that if the demand were there, it would happen. I guess the Teeming Millions would rather just buy a new DSLR ... and another in a few more years ... and another ... rinse, repeat.

Many folks are happy with the results with a digital sensor by itself. And will be happy to lug a different camera in the camera bag - an added bonus is if they are "bought in" to a system already - such as Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax - all you need to do is buy a DSLR for <$1k and you are in business with your entire lens range.

Myself - I prefer the film and digital backs - that is *if* they ever come out with something acceptable to me (8-16 bits per color with interpolation just doesn't cut it results wise for me. I'll take better fine shading and a little grain instead!)

[naturephoto1]

Uh-huh. I recall seeing others similar to this too, but as you say, vaporware.

The Leica DMR (LOL, yes, I know ...) is way outa my price range, especially if you add the price of the R8 or R9, which I don't have. Plus, that thing is HUGE, judging from the photos I've seen. Same for a MF with a digital back, big.

Plus, for some reason, I don't really know why, the small sensor size bothers me. I know one of the Canon DSLRs has a full 36x24, so I know that is do-able.

What I want is not made (yet) and that would be like a 35mm cartridge that I can just drop in the GIII or the Mamiya or the Pentax and shoot normally, then plug into the PC or laptop to process. I really don't need a screen or teeny-tiny buttons or menus and such.

I would think that if the demand were there, it would happen. I guess the Teeming Millions would rather just buy a new DSLR ... and another in a few more years ... and another ... rinse, repeat.

Oh well ...

Actually, I the Digital Module R and a Leica R8 or R9 are not really that large as I recall. I have handled the set up at Photo Plus last year. It certainly balances well. But Yikes the price! And I am one of the Pros on Leicas list and I can't afford it either. But it is the only game in town that works with a film 35mm camera that can also be used as digital. And basically Leica who is a relatively small company with the others in the team were able to introduce this tour de force that both Canon and Nikon either said could not be done or totally ignored.

I have the R8 and do not plan on getting the R9. Yes it is a bit disappointing that the Digital Module R does suffer from the 1.3X problem. However, as far as cost and considering it is Leica it is not totally out of line with the cost of the top of the line Canon and Nikon (about the same price as these cameras) that do allow full frame. And for those of us with that big investment in Leica glass (particularly if we already own an R8 or an R9) that can be used for both film and digital it is something to certainly consider.

Rich

[dmr]

Plus, that thing is HUGE, judging from the photos I've seen.

Actually, I the Digital Module R and a Leica R8 or R9 are not really that large as I recall.

Here's one of the photos I remember which shows its size. I hope this link works ...

http://www.outbackphoto.com/reviews/..._Leica_DMR.jpg

I know the link to that one digital film above shows something added to the bottom kind of like the DMR, one of them a while back gave me the impression that it was self-contained, like just pop it in, shoot, pull it out and plug in a cable to the PC.

I would like something that doesn't add significantly to the size of the existing camera.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I'm asking for too much ... or too little, actually.