Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>If one were to let their imagination go wild for a moment: >> >>Nikon thinking Leica appear to be falling on their face (not true) decide, > >Actually, they did the research, and decided a Nikon rangefinder would cost >more than an M6. > >Don't believe me, talk to the head of NPS who told me! All depends on sales projections and break-even points. Look at Minolta's TC-1. You can now buy one for $799 from B&H. When launched, its RRP in the UK was the equivalent of $2,000. At some stage Minolta felt it could ease up its pricing policy. Same goes for Nikon 35/28tis, even Ricoh GR-1s. Compare launch price with the price being asked 2-3 years post launch. Early adopters are the suckers that marketing guys use to stick much of the R&D costs on. Once production gets into full swing (or as 'full' as it can be for an R/F camera), prices will fall. I think Nikon just need the guts, the instinct, a feel for market demand, and DO IT. Not being an 'early adopter' myself (I waited for the TC-1 to fall below $1,000 before buying), I'd let the pros move in first, wait for a used market in Nikon R/F's to establish itself, and be willing to spend around a thousand bucks to buy a body. If it uses M lenses - fine. If it uses Contax bayonet mount lenses... fine! Mike