Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/25

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Subject: Re: [Leica] You're on the Board!
From: Rick Dykstra <rdandcb@cybermac.com.au>
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 22:14:02 +1000

Hello LUG folks.

Been some interesting posts on this thread.  German engineers on drugs? 
Maybe that's what led to the new Beetle?!  Hey, they're selling, so maybe
Johnny's onto something.
  
Anyway, here's my thoughts.  Kip, Johnny and Dan will notice
similarities. It's not that different from what Leica appear to be
doing, but with a few tweaks.  


Similar to Kip, it was looking through a pair of Leica binos that first
caught my attention.  So getting a pair of, say, 8 x 42 Trinovids into
as many camera stores as possible has to be a good policy. 
Photographers (even budding ones) will experience Leica quality with
their own eyes and the seeds will be sown.  
  
My suggestions:

:)   Cover the spectrum.  The ongoing M product line up could include:
- - TTL models in black chrome, silver chrome, black paint and titanium,
all in 0.60, 0.72 and 0.85; 
- - an aperture priority autoexposure M with faster flash sync;
- - small attachable auto winders and manual rapidwinders to fit the
above; 
- - an entry level M (0.72, no TTL, no winder drive, basic materials and
finish, warranty but no passport);
- - offer the entry level body in a version without a rangefinder, for
street-shooters, or those with laser rangefinders for eyes;
- - reintroduce some Visoflex system components.

:)   Continue the development of aspherical and APO lenses across M and
R systems.

:)   Establish a custom workshop.  If a customer wants something unique,
such as a blackpaint on brass M3/2 reproduction with brass gearing, 0.72
viewfinder with only
35 and 28mm framelines and inbuilt -2 diopter correction, emu pattern
leather, selectable aperture priority autoexposure and light meter/ TTL
flash, and with their initials appended to the engraved serial number,
then, make it for them.  Migrate recurring choices to the regular line-up.

:)   Focus confirmation.  Develop focus confirmation systems for the
latest M and R bodies (a challenge?).  Apart from being useful in general,
photographers’ eyes can change as they age, but their desire to keep
making photographs does not.

:)   The D word.  Can't think of anything good to say about d*****l. 
I'll leave that to others who are actually enthused about using that
stuff in taking pictures.


That was fun.  All I need now is the billion bucks from that genetic
computer technology, so that I can afford some of those custom toyshop
(oops, workshop) orders.

Regards

Rick (am I awake now?) Dykstra