Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/07/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I am a long-time Leica user (both M and R), but have been lurking around here for only a little while. It has been interesting to see talk about the cameras as photographic tools, rather than just collector's items--one well-known dealer told me, in a burst of hyperbole, that he wasn't sure most of his customers made photographs in a serious way! In the spirit of photographers rather than collectors, though, we have to be honest. Leica does sell very little product--back when the lead cameras were the M4P and the R4, a person at Leitz USA who knew told me that they sold about 1000 M's and 4000 R's here per year (ever wonder why they left those luxurious quarters at Rockleigh?). Compare those numbers with the US sales of, say, Canon EOS-1n's and you'll see there's a problem. Of course things are better in Europe, but total sales are still a drop in the bucket compared to top-line Canon and Nikon. I am pleased that Leica is at last offering a fuller pro-oriented line in the R-series, but it has taken a long time to get there, mostly because of very limited resources. AND--despite some others' comments--it does matter that the reflexes are way behind the times--e.g., since they have old fashioned shutters that won't synch fast enough no pro who does weddings or outdoor groups will even look at the camera. It does matter that Leica won't seriously look at an up-to-date M camera (aperture preferred automation, spot and averaging metering, and a reasonable film loading system would be easy)--look at the success of the Contax G1. Again, my guess is that limited resources are partly to blame. The fact that something or other is hard to get for a while doesn't prove that sales are great--it only reflects a ratio between supply and demand. How many M6 J's were made? I think we all love Leicas because of the wonderful quality feel of the product--using Leicas is a special experience. I, at least, am rooting for them to survive and prosper. I just hope that they--and we--can get a little beyond the Leica Legend and look at the realities. Charles E. Love, Jr. 517 Warren Place Ithaca, New York 14850 607-272-7338 CEL14@CORNELL.EDU Replied: Forwarded 15 Jul 96 10:59