Re[2]:R3/R4 Chrome/users vs collectors?

["Lucien_vD@compuserve.com" <Lucien_vD@compuserve.com>]

- --------------- Forwarded Message ---------------

From:   Lucien_vD@compuserve.com, 100774,527
To:     INTERNET:Alistair_Stewart_at_LC4001@ccmailgw.mcgawpark.baxter.com
Date:   Mon, May 12, 1997, 4:55 PM

RE:     Re[2]:R3/R4 Chrome/users vs collectors?


*Alistair, you wrote:

<And I thought that this was the Leica Users Group...
<I have to go and put on my email armour (but since I exist - not sure if 
<it is live - in the USA, let's say armor)
<Yours in image making,
<Alistair
<PS 'Sticks and stones may break my bones,
<but being flamed is just a pain in the arse (USA = ass).'

*because

*David wrote: (about: R3/R4 Chrome)

<Are these rare enough to be collectible?

*and I reply:

<Yes, but be patient before expecting a profit. 
<There a not so many Leica R collectors for the moment.

<Lucien


**What's the problem ??
All the Leica collectors that I know were, and still are, users. I know
that the reverse is not always true, specially for Leica R users.

That's a part of the Leica pleasure for us.

Do you know somebody collecting Nikon N90 or EOS ELAN ??

I really enjoy, because I am also a collector, having the opportunity to
use a super-angulon 21/3,4, a summarex 85mm 1,5 or a Summaron 28/5,6 (mine
or belonging to a friend) on my M6. And to share my experience with other
Leica users. Whe are, in a way, curator who are using and permitting others
to use those magnificent old and not so old but rare cameras and lenses.(I
confess that there is also a pleasure to find a nice piece, never seen
before)

By the way , who do you think had allow Leitz and then Leica to survive ??
The collectors/users who first permit to Leitz to revive the M4 and then
the M4-2,and now the "silly" collectors who are now paying huge prices for
a "Ein stuck Leica" or a "Platinium" or a "Benelux M6" or even a "Minilux
Tintin" ? I personally don't use or collect any camera or lens who was not
on the normal market or with a special engraving, except the M6-J, but I am
glad others do.

They are paying a part of the R&D for us, for future M 35/2 Asph, M 21/2,8
Asph, R 35-90/2,8 Apo, M7, or even a R9 with focus confirmation, that
future users will enjoy (and collectors).
And I am a collector only because I am a photographer (amateur). For me a
M3 is not a dead think.

I'm not sure that Leica had sell more than 110.000 M6 in 12 years (second
after the M3) without the "silly" collectors and users/collectors. And the
Leica M system is still the biggest part of Leica Camera AG sales.
The best Leica Shops are managed by people who care about the Leica history
or at least by people knowing what a Leica M, a Summicron and their
background are. The less they know about Leica the less they sell.
The magazine are selling Nikon, Canon, Sigma, Tamron etc.., not the M6.
Leica users and collectors together are the best support to Leica sales.

N.B. Is there any Leica users & collectors group ??

Yours in image making and Leica collecting,
(in that order)

Lucien
BELGIUM