Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/10/16

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Subject: [Leica] Future R Plan
From: ahgraves at prodigy.net (Allen Graves)
Date: Sat Oct 16 16:03:39 2004
References: <BD95D09E.1B7D7%telyt@earthlink.net> <41708F81.91E9E222@earthlink.net> <01ac01c4b381$de30f500$24a0fea9@MacPhisto>

I'm really to get the feeling that the rush to digital and the 
constant upgrades have led the camera makers ( and buyers)  to accept 
really crappy build quality without any question. "After all, it'll 
be obsolete in 3 years anyway"

Allen



>Although Fuji digital SLR's produce excellent images. The build quality
>sucks if you are going to compare it to a Leica R8/R9. I cannot imagine
>Sigma being any better when it comes to build quality. And don't even start
>with a Kodak/Leica SLR.
>
>I picked up a Canon 20D last night, felt like a toy. Even the 10D was better
>in quality terms.
>
>Chris
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Stephen Gandy"
>Subject: [Leica] Future R Plan
>
>
>>  I can understand why you would think I am advocating abandonment of the R
>system,
>>  but that would make no sense financially.
>>
>>  Leica has a huge investment in the R system.  the problem is how to get a
>return
>>  on that investment.
>>
>>  1) Leica R glass is probably the best SLR glass available overall.  About
>60% of
>>  the independent manuf SLR lens sales are Nikon AIS.  to make profit on R
>glass,
>>  Leica needs to sell that glass in Nikon AIS mount
>>
>>  2) Leica is rumored to have a large quantity of unsold R9 bodies.  Leica
>needs to
>>  turn that inventory into cash. The way to do that is to announce that R
>SLR bodies
>>  are discontinued.  This would turn a slow seller into a hot seller as
>people go
>>  for the last German R body.
>>
>>  3) Staying with lenses in R mount and Nikon mount, Leica needs to license
>the R
>>  body mount, allowing other manuf to make R cameras.   This is a fast,  no
>cost way
>>  for Leica to offer their fans digital R bodies, while at the same time
>making a
>>  license fee off each body without investment.   Imagine a Kodak 14MP or
>Sigma or
>>  the latest 12 MP Fujica digitals in Leica R mount.  Of course those
>digital bodies
>>  would would also sell more a hell of a lot of  Leica made R lenses.
>>
>>  I believe these three plans would result in a big R system profit.
>>
>>  Stephen Gandy
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Leica Users Group.
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Replies: Reply from leicachris at worldnet.att.net (Christopher Williams) ([Leica] Future R Plan)
Reply from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] Future R Plan)
In reply to: Message from telyt at earthlink.net (Doug Herr) ([Leica] Digital "crop factor")
Message from leicanikon at earthlink.net (Stephen Gandy) ([Leica] Future R Plan)
Message from leicachris at worldnet.att.net (Christopher Williams) ([Leica] Future R Plan)