Re: [Leica] How to support Leica?

["A.H.SCHMIDT" <horsts@primus.com.au>]

4season wrote:

> 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

Well now, a most sensible and logical post. Exactly what I meant. Had you posted
this Email earlier, then it would have saved me all my effort, which most probably
creates
some mayhem and " bad boy" replays.
Regards Horst Schmidt