Re: [Leica] Re: Digital M

[Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca>]

Frank Filippone wrote:
Subject: RE: [Leica] Re: Digital M


> I agree with BD.... It is ONLY a camera.  If Leica goes away tomorrow,
there
> are enough cameras and especially lenses around to last me a lifetime.
> Seems harsh?  Well, they supply a good product.  It is something I enjoy
> using.  But I bought it.  I own it.  I do not owe Leica anything, anymore.
> I already paid for the products I own.<<<<

Hi Frank,
Yep me to! I can never figure out why some folks get all het up about Leica
going down the tube as though they were owners of the company. Maybe a
camera, lens or two, that's their ownership? Big deal. Do they relate to
their stove, fridge or car in similar manner if those companies crash and
burn? Hardly.

Of course none of us wish to see any company go down the tube, particularly
Leica AG. However, if it comes to pass the world isn't going to end, the
clouds wont part and a demon from outer space wont destroy earth. ;-)  Hey
probably before many of you were Leica owners this company did a crash and
burn way beyond what it's state is at the moment, it was sold and
unfortunately the new people nearly let it go completely down the tube. So
it isn't like they're rookies at this. It got rescued.

I surmise it will be bought out and continue like nothing happened under new
management. And the quality will improve in the digital field.  Autofocus on
the R gear? Who knows what lurks in the photo board rooms of the world!

And as far as some saying "but what will we do if that happens?" Hell we'll
buy our next Leica body or lens used or new because of management ownership.
I would bet there are a few Japanese corporations who've already made an
assessment in the value of buying out Leica AG and the smart ones will have
an operating plan in place!  Just in case. Time will tell.

It's still a major camera with a good following and that following could
probably be increased with smarter management and advertising promotion. And
of course, getting a solid grip of some kind in the digital world. But very
very big bucks is the igniter for all this to happen.

"Leica ain't over till the fat lady sings!" ;-) And even then it wont just
disappear because there's still a cult market, even though it's a limited
market. There are probably major photo corporations who could turn it around
to the level it once was due to money, more imaginative people in promotion
/ advertising / digital. And still riding on it's historical legacy in
photography.

I feel there are any number of ways it can survive, but it takes major money
big time and certainly people with super imaginative skills to capture the
young photo people of the world. And a solid market spot.

Will all this happen? Heck I don't know, but it's as good a hypothetical
scenario of any I've seen so far.
ted


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