Re: [Leica] Re: Cohn Comments......YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS

[LEICAMAN56@aol.com]

I feel the need for some clarification to Sal's remarks, which were 
attributed to Herr Cohn.  Actually, the statement that the R8 has outsold all 
other models of the Leica reflex line was made by Ray Tomaselli, VP and 
controller of Leica USA.  This was in response to my question about the 
recent poor sales of the R8.  Surprisingly enough, Ray then stated that the 
R6.2 has been selling better than the R8.  Ray's original comment about the 
R8 was about the first two years sales being well above expectations, but 
that current sales are somewhat flat.  I was surprised at how well the R8 had 
sold, but I have no reason to doubt what Mr. Tomaselli had to say on this 
subject as has to report all these numbers to Germany on a regular basis.  
Sal was part of this conversation, but somehow these comments were attributed 
to Herr Cohn.
At the LHSA annual meeting in Chicago, I sat next to Herr Cohn at our 
banquet.  I made the observation that the R8 was like the previous version of 
the S class MB, which also had been a poor seller.  I said the old S class 
was too big, too heavy and too expensive.  Herr Cohn understood the analogy 
and agreed with me.  I find Herr Cohn to be very bright and a fast learner.  
I have been told by other Leica executives that he is very energetic and 
keeps up a frenetic pace all day after a trans Atlantic flight.  I was also 
told that when he came on board at Leica, he spent time interviewing many of 
the employees, from top to bottom to learn everything he could about Leica.  
He has the respect of everyone at Leica and has impressed the employees with 
his grasp of the situation.
As for Sal, he is a good friend of many years, a great photographer and all 
around good guy.  He is an unabashed supporter of Leica and the LHSA.  Please 
cut him some slack as he is a LUG newbie and is not wise in its ways yet.
It amazes me that Peter K is on the LUG and not on the Canon list.  He never 
has anything good to say about Leica and constantly sings the praises of 
Canon.  I am not a "Leica lackey" and I am not blind to Leica's shortcomings, 
but I find Peter's rantings to be tiresome.  Even Lucien, one of the nicest 
people you'd ever want to know, is flaming Peter.  Lets be constructive in 
our suggestions and comments.  And a little more civil in our exchanges on 
the LUG!

Bill Rosauer