Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hello Dominique, I am afraid I would take issue with some of the statements below. To infer that only 15% of pro's are leica users because 85% of total sales are to amateurs is inaccurate because the ratio of pros to amateurs is not 1 to 1.15% of all Leica sales may well add up to a much larger percentage of the total population of pro's. Also, determining a cameras desirability based on professional purchases is a difficult task. Many "pros" are working for media outlets that value just "getting the shot" over precise optical demands. As for the cost, yes you can buy cameras for much less. I have a Nikon N50 that cost 369.99 with 35-80 zoom that takes adequate pictures, but is not capable of the most precise performance. For this I would need to invest in MUCH more expensive lenses and bodies. Please note that the difference in price between the TOP GRADE Nikons and Canons is really only about 20-30% lower than their Leica equivalants in many cases. Finally, as anyone who has purchased a car will tell you, the cost of ownership is the purchase price, plus maintenance, MINUS resale value. You can buy any one of the japanese brands units for far less than their original price, in contrast with Leica product that usually costs MORE than it originally sold for. Even the cheapest R series sells for 500-600 for a clean used body, about what they were selling for in the early 80's. Happy New Year to you and all! Dan >Canon lenses are 3 or 4 times less expensive. >Do you know that only 15% of Leica buyers in the world are professionals >(origin : Leica Camera and Le Figaro (a french newspaper)06/02/98 p.4) >?...So 85 % of pros have answered to my question.They don't buy Leica. >That's the strategic problem for Leica Camera : how to conquer >professionals who are, in essence, rational because they earn money with a >camera ? >If I were a young pro, I'd never buy a Leica gear : too expensive, son. >Even "old" pros are reluctant. Some months ago the french photographer >Jeanloup Sieff tried the 24 M. He answered to Leica : "Its price makes me >move back a bit" (son prix me fait un peu reculer").He didn't buy it. > > >Dominique Pellissier > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com