Re: [Leica] Bob Mac's Ravings

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

Ruralmopics@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 1/28/00 11:45:32 AM, raimo.korhonen@pp2.inet.fi writes:
>
> >Thatīs right - but I do not think that a market for meterless M exist any
> >more. If you take out batteries from M6 it becomes meterless. It is much
> >less cost effective to do this in the production line - because the main
> >problem of Leica is that they cannot produce enough - not enough to satisfy
> >demand and not enough to generate adequate cash flow.
>
> If I'm not mistaken I sparked at least some of this nonmetered M discussion
> with a comment about an M2-2. In my mind it makes perfect sense -- not so
> much as a low-buck camera but to appeal to those who would buy the Millenium
> M6 with the old fashioned rewind. I'm confident it would be a hit in limited
> numbers . . .
>
> So, if wishes were horses and I were king of Leica I would propose the
> following M lineup (I have no idea what to do about R cameras):
>
> Leica M6 -- no change
>
> Leica M7 (or could be M6-A, ME, MA) -- Outwardly identical to an M6 but would
> have an electronic shutter, manual and AE exposure, TTL flash meter, 1/250
> synch and DX coding. Traditional but up-to-date.
>
> Leica M2R-2 -- Bring back the M2 (black paint only). The only difference
> would be a hot shoe and PC flash connections. Could just as easily be an
> updated M3 with an M4 claw, winder capability and modern flash connections.
> Who cares what it costs.
>
> There! Everyone should be happy. Those who think the M6 is the perfect camera
> would still have it. Those who think they were better in the old days would
> have that. Those who think Leica needs to move forward would have something
> as well. Not everybody eats vanilla ice cream and not everybody wants the
> same M body. My lineup would give dang near everybody what they want.
>
> BTW, if I were grand poo-poo at Leica I'd also cut Tom A a big fat check and
> buy his winder and put it into production (doubling the price, of course).
> Everybody hold on to yours. It will be worth a mint . . .
>
> Bob (next I'm gonna tackle that middle east thing) McEowen

This makes a lot of sense to me.

Regards, Horst Schmidt