Jony Ive Partners With Leica for One-of-a-Kind Charity Camera

[Rogifan]

Nice timeless design.

(Though from some of the above comments it may seem like I'm in the minority.)

Nope. Everyone on the Verge is crapping all over it. But even if people there liked it no way in hell would they ever admit it.

 

[oliversl]

You see, Jony is really good at hardware design. But really bad at icon/GUI design. No human can do it all, no human.

 

[Rogifan]

I don't think Apple would bother releasing a product that looks anything like this. Apple releases products that look like nothing that has come before them. This looks like an ordinary camera - I wouldn't know that anyone from Apple had anything to do with it unless MR had reported on it.

I'm not saying it doesn't look good - it just doesn't look groundbreaking enough to be a product Apple would bother making.

It's got the Leica logo on it. My guess is Leica doesn't let people go hog wild (re)designing their cameras. Besides its for charity, not some groundbreaking new product Apple is looking to introduce.

 

[sj27]

As noted, the camera is effectively a Leica M rangefinder, which informs much of the design. The Leica M series dates back to 1954. Since the first version, the M3, changes in style have been subtle, with the introduction of digital forcing larger dimensions. The previous model series, the Barnack, maintained a similar form for roughly three decades. The point being that a radical groundbreaking design---while still meeting the needs of a rangefinder---was unlikely from the start.

While I understand the view that these are retro in appearance, for those who actually use a rangefinder, the design is not necessarily 'retro' any more than blue jeans are (which certainly predate Leica's first prototype). And besides, the plastic bubble look of the typical DSLR is now nearing 30 years.

 

[jayducharme]

On the front view, notice how the sensor (?) at the upper left of the lens is actually a miniature of the entire camera front. Notice how the "bubbles" emanating from the lens area curves around to end at the Leica logo. The front shows quite a bit of artistry. The back is more functional, clean if unexciting. Interesting that there doesn't seem to be a flash attachment anywhere.

 

[Swift]

Its a nice update on the classic Rangefinder design and shape. Don't know why people are kicking off about it...

People gotta kick. The old M-9 is beautiful, as is this. The M-9 has the high-quality scientific instrument look to it, but the RED Jony Ive project is a gorgeous new look for a camera. If I had a lot of money, I could be separated from a lot of cash to get a one-of-a-kind Jony Ive Leica.

I think photography presently is a story of signal processing, and algorithms can do a lot of the grunt work you have to do to take good pictures. The white balance, black levels, chroma, resolution, a lot of this stuff can be done in an iPhone. So, a pro camera in the future should have beautiful glass, and amazing software. Take the pictures live, fast. Point and shoot. Plug it in to the computer and "process" it just the way you want. And I think the future camera will look more like an iPhone with Leica glass, and it will have wifi and Dropbox on it too. And Thunderbolt.

 

[akm3]

I'm pretty sure Apple could make a lot more money for charity by having more special edition 'normal stuff' that average people could buy (and Apple could sell thousands or millions of) instead of this one off insanely priced stuff.

 

[sj27]

...Interesting that there doesn't seem to be a flash attachment anywhere.

I believe that you open the bottom plate to access the flash card slot and possibly the batteries. This is a carryover from the film version. Lots of folks hated that Leica maintained this inconvenient tradition, but again, Leica doesn't move fast.

 

[rtdunham]

Nine buttons on the back alone. Not very apple-ish, is it?

 

[Rogifan]

I'm pretty sure Apple could make a lot more money for charity by having more special edition 'normal stuff' that average people could buy (and Apple could sell thousands or millions of) instead of this one off insanely priced stuff.

Apple has already donated $65M to RED via sales of iDevices. Nothing wrong with someone doing a side project that also benefits charity. The last product RED auction raised over $40M.

 

[Carlanga]

looks fugly IMO

 

[Millah]

You see, Jony is really good at hardware design. But really bad at icon/GUI design. No human can do it all, no human.

He didn't design the icons. He didn't design a single graphic in iOS 7. When will people understand that? He's providing leadership and guidance, much in the same way Steve Jobs did. Steve didn't get behind Photoshop and start doing graphic design.

The people who designed iOS 7 are the same graphic designers who've been at Apple for years. They were just under broad leadership from a new person, and Jony likely made the final say on things.

And guess what? He made a lot of good calls. iOS 7 is a significant improvement. The sooner you people who can't accept change come to realize that, the sooner you'll start to enjoy the beauty and advantages in the iOS 7 design. Is it perfect? By no means. But guess what, neither was Aqua. It took them more than 10 years to refine the old design style to where it was in iOS 6. But they're on the right track with iOS 7, and its far more refined than Aqua was in 2001.

I remember people groaning and criticizing Aqua just as much back in 2001. Now they're groaning because Apple has moved on from it. Lol, people never change.

 

[oplix]

I'm surprised this camera isn't flat and neon colored

 

[Wiesenlooser]

It's... Ok I guess? Although it does look like it will slip out if your hands as easy as a bar of soap.

There are some nice things to it. But I somehow expected more.

 

[bb426]

Not flat enough.

 

[sniffies]

Looks absolutely horrendous. Please don't touch Leica, just don't.

Ive, speed up the damn animations in iOS 7. Stop showing off and get back to work, Ive. 😡😡😡😡😡😡

 

[Truffy]

Too smooth

Personally, and from a purely ergonomic POV, I prefer a better hand grip.

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I remember people groaning and criticizing Aqua just as much back in 2001. Now they're groaning because Apple has moved on from it. Lol, people never change.

But it may not be the same people! 😀

 

[gingaman]

Samsung will probably have a clone coming off the production lines tomorrow!🙄

 

[ThunderSkunk]

The camera, which utilizes a sleek aluminum design, took more than 561 models, 1000 prototype parts, and 85 days to design.

No wonder IOS is an unfinished mess.
Its designer has ADD.

 

[Nevaborn]

Im amazed how few people have decent taste and think this represents completely what an Apple camera would be like.

This is designed to still look like a Leica, it wasnt only Ive's influence. You can see his influence in the curved sides and the uniformity of the rear controls.

It is a beautiful camera.

 

[teknikal90]

they should have priced this closer to $1000, gimp on features make it in line with other $1000 cameras. make a boatload of this and cure AIDS with the boatload of cash that will come back.

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Looks absolutely horrendous. Please don't touch Leica, just don't.

Ive, speed up the damn animations in iOS 7. Stop showing off and get back to work, Ive. 😡😡😡😡😡😡

lol if i was in his position, id rather show off than work...
i dont need the money..

 

[Nevaborn]

No wonder IOS is an unfinished mess.
Its designer has ADD.

What stupid comment. This was a collaboration of two designers and Leica all work hard and have dedicated time to creating a product. You go and do better.

It's his time he can spend it how he likes.

 

[calderone]

Clearly this M isn't intended to be used for any serious photography. They have turned it into a Fisher Price toy.

Would have been nice if they attempted to create a functional and beautiful M.

 

[Nevaborn]

they should have priced this closer to $1000, gimp on features make it in line with other $1000 cameras. make a boatload of this and cure AIDS with the boatload of cash that will come back.

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lol if i was in his position, id rather show off than work...
i dont need the money..

Except this is a Leica, considered by many to be the best maker of cameras in the world. This camera sells for $7000 ....this is a one of a kind collectors piece, jointly designed by the most famous technology designer in the world and its for charity ..... And you say sell it for $1000

>.>

 

[rhino7]

Seems to be the minority view, but I think it looks stunning, a really beautiful camera. Then again I also think IOS 7 is light years ahead of the previous incarnations. It was only when IOS 7 came along that I realised how out-dated IOS 6 had become.