Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/08/03

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Subject: Re: SHOW ME THE MONEY! aka $3,340
From: "Hans Pahlen" <hans.pahlen@mark.komvux.se>
Date: Sun, 3 Aug 1997 21:49:29 +0200

> Its just that they are a bit overpriced, and the company does have some
> problems which informed buyers should know about.  I personally have a
> hard time handling a "everything Leica is great" attitude which ignores
> obvious problems.  They have a few warts, but they are GREAT cameras.

The future of the M-system depends on how Leica will succeed with the R8.
The Leica strategy since the M6 came, seems to have been trying to catch =
up
with Canon and Nikon. The M6 and R4-S were of the same vintage, and since
then they have put lots of money and effort into different R:s: R4-S MOD =
P,
R5, R6, R6.2, RE, R7, R8.
The critical question is: -Can the non-AF R8 win a substantial market sha=
re
from the F5 and EOS1N? Well, I honestly don=B4t think so, but let us hope
that R8 sales will repay the heavy investments made. If not, I guess
M-prices will rise even higher, with less and less sales, until we finall=
y
reach the worst scenario:

> Worst case, I can not imagine Leica not surviving.  It would most likel=
y
> be bought out.  My own favorite choice for a new owner is Nikon.  Can
> you imagine a F5 with Leica lenses, or a New Nikon SP using M mount

No, I really don=B4t want to think about it. But I am rather worried abou=
t
what will happen in the future. Well, as someone said, the M:s will survi=
ve
anyway, in our lifetime.=20

Regards, Hans
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Mail: hans.pahlen@mark.komvux.se
Home: http://www.komvux.mark.se/hp635.htm
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