Re: [Leica] How to support Leica?

[4season <4season@boulder.net>]

MH20793@aol.com wrote:
> 
> Seems to me Leica will not improve it's market share by changing the M6
> battery cover... It will however, by introducing new,high quality, innovative
> products MORE consumers will want to spend their money on... and by an
> aggressive worldwide advertising/marketing campaign. Bottom line is:
> build a better product, even in a niche market, both technologically  and
> quality wise.

What would you suggest? I can't speak for the great unwashed masses,
whoever they are, but here are a few ideas that work for me:

Seek new markets for existing products: I just leafed through a recent
Pop Photo (the one with the Bessa-L coverage) and found a full-page
Leica ad in there: Not a bad effort, but what about trying it in a
non-photo magazine read by well-to-do folks with lots of disposeable
income and hedonistic leanings? I've seen firsthand, greatly increased
sales for my employer following an unlikely writeups in Wired, Fortune,
etc.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em: Cosina's "Voightlander" products have
made M-ownership much more interesting to me, and I'm glad that they're
priced low enough that more people can give rangefinder-type cameras a
try. I think some amount of cooperation between Cosina, Leica, Ricoh,
Fuji and Konica could benefit everyone. Yes, I am eagerly awaiting the
delivery of my 15 mm Heliar lens and I may not stop there.

Create affordable starter packages and sustain interest with periodic
promotions: Leica cameras cost too much up front, and there's little
support from 3rd party manufacturers who might've made the cost of
building a system a lot more manageable. It's awfully tough to face a
$1500+ cost for a new camera body, only to realize that a lousy 50/2 is
going to add another $800+. Zooms or macro lenses? Don't even ask! Now,
if $1500 bought an R8 and a Tamron zoom, you'd at least be out shooting
right away, Six months later, Leica, using the info from the warranty
registration card, sends you an announcement of lens promotions and some
easy financing deal, and in short order, you have yourself a genuine
Leica lens AND a pretty good 3rd party zoom. Let's face it, scrounging
for used gear isn't for everyone, and some newbies just don't trust
their judgement or luck. I admit to being tempted by the Nikon FM10
package myself--cute and very lightweight. And from that comes an F100
sale? Uh, maybe.

Jeff