Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/05/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bill, I would have to second your comments. They are probably the same as the thoughts Leica management is having right now, you know, the need for momentum and sales. Boy, I hope they do it. Would be great to see a Leica product that could compete feature to feature with a high-end AF body and especially if it had Leica quality lens glass/design, even if Minolta, Sigma, or Kyocera makes the final lens. Peter K - -----Original Message----- From: Bill Erfurth [mailto:m6rf@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 1999 3:02 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: [Leica] Leica R9 err...Minolta 9- - - NOT off topic Dan Cardish wrote: I just picked up my Minolta 9 today, for those interested. Autofocus seems very fast and sure, feels very solid and fits the hand perfectly. There must be 1001 built-in functions, will see about enrolling in training course ;-). Will try and run some film through it today. Dan C. - - - - snip - - - Hi Dan, This is exactly what I was talking about the other day when I wrote that if Leica was going to come out with a new R body, that they would have to get the design from someone else. Minolta is a excellent example. In Europe, Leica and Minolta have a close working relationship. It would not surprise me at all to see a slightly redesigned Minolta 9 with a RED DOT on it. Leica's problem is three fold. Number one: Leica needs product to sell. Despite what Eric says, the R8 is a dead item. So the answer is bring out an R9 (a.k.a. Minolta 9). Which also means that they have a new AF lens line. Number two: Leica needs some momentium. They shot themselves in the foot by not launching an exciting new M6 design last year at Photokina. So the M line is not going to provide the momentium they need. Number three: Leica does not have a lot of spare cash to put into R&D. The only way that they are going to bring out a new product is by using an existing inhouse design, or lease an equipment design from another company. Since using an existing inhouse design would require time and expensive tooling, the only option I see for them is to subcontract the manufacture of their R9 body. Remember, subcontracting is not new to Leica. If find corporate turn arounds fasinating. Kind regards, Bill Erfurth _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com