Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Elliot M. Puritz, MD wrote: > Can Leica really keep the M line going with what appears to be a relatively > small group of devotees, many of whom own multiple lenses? Can they > create a new following for these products? Not sure. Indeed, seems likely > that, as has been posited, sales of other Leica items will serve to keep the > company solvent and allow for the M line to continue to be "improved". The M has done comparatively well the last 27 years in part due to lack of competition (counting from the death of the Canon 7s in 1972). That changed this year with Cosina-Voigtlander. It is about to change further, quickly. I am told that the release of the new Voigtlander Rangefinder in LTM mount is imminent (the present Bessa L with RF added) Ricoh is also said to be about to release a new rangefinder, rumored to be with M mount and AE operation. The Konica Hexar M has long been rumored, and prototypes made. Cameras are more of a hobby with Konica, and their dedication to putting the camera into production is questionable. Canon is also said to have made a M prototype, though production is very unlikely. Perhaps most interesting is Nikon. Though they did not make a camera prototype, they did produce the most important component which no one else supposedly has so far: a combined zoom rangefinder / finder with parallax correction. New Leica products aimed directly at Cosina could could easily wipe out the new competition. ... but their resources are stretched with massive investment in what has proven to be a poor seller in the marketplace: the R8. Literally as I was writing this, a friend emailed that the rumor is Japan is a new M7 at Photokina in Sept 2000. That would be great, but they also need a lower priced line of rangefinders and lenses to compete against Cosina. My thoughts on new improvements to the M line are at http://cameraquest.com/mchanges.htm My thoughts on changes to Leica strategy at http://cameraquest.com/leicamil.htm It's going to be very interesting what happens over the next five years or so with Leica. It will be a critical time when they respond well to new competition, or don't. Personally, I believe Leica will pull it off. Stephen