Re: [Leica] State of the art Canadians

["Jeff S" <segawa@netone.com>]

Leicas seem to be more affordable than they've been in years, don't seem
unacceptably cheapened, and the optics are newish+genuinely interesting, and
that's a good start. I want a Tri-Elmar, and Contax hasn't got one.

What is "State Of The Art" anyhow? Just a catchy phrase whose definition
changes seemingly at a moment's notice. Being appropriate and relevant never
goes out of style!

The great Canon and Nikon Corporations which built today's wonder-SLRs
probably did so by making lots of money selling far less illustrious gear. I
doubt that the top models are very profitable (if at all) in themselves, but
I'm sure many a Rebel and N50 owner took some comfort in buying into a brand
which had created the "best" SLR available, though they may never choose to
own an EOS-1n or F5 themselves. Just for the fun of it, let's see if they
dare to move production of their top models outside of Japan--my bet is no,
because it's an image thing. The downside, from a prestige point of view, is
also getting to see your favorite brand sold in blister packs to a bunch of
yahoos :-)

But, why worry about things beyond your control? Take your Leica out and
have some fun with it, 'cause whatever happens, happens!

Jeff

- -----Original Message-----
From: adrian bradshaw <abpeking@public.bta.net.cn>
>FWIW, I generally feel satisfied with the direction the new management
seems
>to be adopting (i.e. update and upgrade both R and M lens lines, improve
>repair facilities) but certain things worry me - the dropping of enlarger
>production, the continued pandering to the carriage trade ('collector
>editions' and jewelry etc) and the evident lack of funds to compete
>technologically in the electronics department: I just read a report that
>Leica wanted to outsource production of some or all of an AF SLR in 1995
but
>that the potential partner (perhaps Kyocera) was not interested due to the
>low volume involved. I believe this means that Leica is now doomed to
>make-do with an increasing number of components that are bought in - such
as
>the Japanese shutters, semi-finished optics (I heard from Sigma!) and
>previous generation electronics whilst the increasingly exotic lenses that
>pros are using these days - be they AF, long and high speed, zoom or all
>three - are beyond the means of Solms to produce. On the other hand the new
>APO zoom shows promise: previously most exotic R lenses were made by third
>parties (e.g. zooms, shift lenses, ultra wides, fisheyes, mirror lenses)
>maybe there are moves afoot to create more in-house optical wonders - hope
>so!