RE: NEW LENS OFFERING RE: [Leica] Collapsible 50 summicron

["Stewart, Alistair" <AStewart@gigaweb.com>]

Hi there Joseph,

Many thanks for the response, I was wondering about the deafening silence
until now.

Please do pass the ideas on: if Cosina would like to do it they can, please
ask them to forward my royalty checks promptly :=)

What I was trying to suggest, though, was for the LEICA company to respond
to the new M competition, with affordable, user-oriented lenses that have
adequate performance for those of us using 400 speed films. Most
documentary/PJ Leica users rarely go below this, even Ektachrome 200 usually
gets pushed a stop. This means that I have 24/2.8 and 35/1.4 asph lenses
that are just a lot higher performing than I need. My Leica 28/2.8 lenses
produce negs that are indistinguishable from my canon 28/2.8 at 5.6, 8, etc.
Of my 50's, my favorite is the last version Canon 1.8 ($125). Can't see any
difference from the current version 'cron. Wide open the old 28 vignettes a
tad.

What I want Leica to do is stop chasing optical performance that matters
zilch to 99.999% of users (film and technique being the limiting factors),
and offer a different kind of relevant, useable performance. 


The lenses suggested below would really distinguish Leica from the new,
appropriate-quality Japanese offerings, rather than compete with them, and
would also be low cost enough that actual photographers could buy them new.

How about bundling a "PJ kit" of resurrected 35 non-asph cron, New
Collapsible 50 'lux, and New Collapsible 90 T-E M, plus M6TTL or M6TTL HM
for (say) $4500-$5000. Not a collectible. A User-oriented kit. Make a run of
say 500 kits, and market them thru' PDN, MPW, Missouri, whatever, where
aspiring young, new Leica users can be easily reached. Comes in a very plain
black Domke satchell with the new ttl flash, and special Leica-logo'd tri-x
canisters. Light, compact, and USER-ORIENTED. All in black. No passport.

A "PJ kit-lite" of M6TTL HM + New Collapsible 50 or M6TTL 35 non-asph 'cron
for (say) $3000; the purchase includes a range of "Option Certificates" to
upgrade to the full kit by, for example  trading back the 50 'cron, and
handing over the cash difference at any time in the next 3 years.  

What do you think of that idea FOR LEICA to build on their real strength,
the M series? As the R8 becomes the M5 of the reflexes (and maybe the last),
this could be a real winner, IMHO. 

Apologies, as ever, to the majority, for the on-topic post. 


Alistair

- -----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Joseph Yao [mailto:yaojkfdr@netvigator.com]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 1999 2:00 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: NEW LENS OFFERING RE: [Leica] Collapsible 50 summicron


Alistair,

Excellent ideas!  Would you like me to pass them onto Cosina when I
visit them next time?  I am sure they can materialise your suggestions
effeciently and inexpensively.

Regards,

Joseph

Stewart, Alistair wrote:
> 
> Luggers
> 
> How about a new version of the collapsible summicron, with today's glass
and
> coatings? Separate clip-on metal hood like the IROOA (designed only for
the
> 50/2, NOT also for the 35/2), and focusing tab. Goes down to .7m, comes
with
> goggles to get you to 19". ONLY AVAILABLE IN BLACK.
> :=). Oh all right, in chrome too, for $100 more. Comes with a removable M
> mount held on with a grub screw, which turns it into a screw mount when
> removed (Collectors subsidize we users) - like the early M-lenses. Or it
> could be a straight LTM lens with normal adapter, you select the right one
> for M3/6.85 or all other M bodies. No infinity lock. 39mm filter. The
shade
> would be ok for 35 summarons which were e39.
> 
> Retails for the regular 50 'cron price sans goggles, or $200 more with
> goggles. Chrome finish adds another $100.
> 
> OR let's get really imaginative...
> 
> Collapsible 50 'lux ASPH with goggles. ONLY IN BLACK so it is light enough
> to use all day. 42 mm filter, the rest of the features as above, except
well
> designed cut-out in shade.
> 
> Collapsible 90/2.8 skinny tele-elmarit M. Keep it e39.
> 
> All these would enable the travelling documentary PJ to do their jobs with
> less weight and volume to carry, and no loss in quality, indeed a gain in
> quality for the 50 'lux
> 
> OK, go to go and take some valium now.
> 
> What a pink sunset we have here in Chicago :=)
> 
> best
> 
> Alistair