Re: [Leica] Looking after old customers

[Tom Kumagai <kumagai@po.cnet-ma.ne.jp>]

Alex Hurst wrote:

> Tom Kumagai wrote (amongst many other things):
> >
> >Nippon Kogaku used to make good cameras (Is F-5 good? dunno, but at least
> >it does
> >not attract me),
> >and many of which are - according to Nikon lovers that I know - still
> >serviciable.
> >According to them Nikon takes good care of their old customers, and that's
> >why they
> >are sticking with F mount, (but I
> >think another reason is that as their flagship cameras are named F-<sequential
> >number>, if they
> >change the lens mount they would have to start all over with X-1 or such...
> >Considering Nikon as the
> >leading camera manufacture of Japan, at least they think so, their pride won't
> >allow that to happen.
> >Kinda Samurai issues.
>
> Tom - love to know what you mean by a 'samurai issue'. You mean Nikon would
> lose 'face' if they changed the basic mount? Or was it simply that they
> (like Leitz) got it right in the first place, so there's no need?

That's it's my opinion and I am kinda "nationalist"(even if I am strongly against
what our grandfathers
did in Asia during WWII), and you know Nikon lovers are as "blind" as Leica lovers
so I don't know how
accurate it is, but there must have been some pride issues under their not
forsaking the old-time
customers by changing lens mounts like Canon or Minolta did, because I don't think
the F mount is a
"perfected"lens mount since its diameter is smaller and its flange-back distance is
longer by today's
standards.

We can see some seemingly awkward changes during its history (ie. two different
sets of
outer linkage to exposure metering systems). They either lacked the technology,
missed the timing
for making changes, or considered the benefit of existing customers. I would take
the latter.

I don't know where Japanese economy is going, but I believe that the government and
the companies
here should get straighten up and do what is right. Otherwise these small companies
like Mr. Yasuhara's
can fall before those big ones who really are responsible will. and we will be
paying off our grandfather's
debts... what a shame...