Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/02/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Interesting comment Peter. I don't think supply is the issue with the R8. If the demand for Leica R8's suddenly doubled they could meet it. It is a niche market product and Leica specializes in this niche market. I don't think that Leica desires to lower the retail prices of their products; production costs yes, retail no. I would be surprised if they ever want to go head-to-head with Canon and Nikon, If they did, in my opinion, they would lose. Leica did everything that they could to kill the enthusiasm for the R8 when it was introduced and they are still paying for the mistakes. Lenses were not ready(ROM), the pricing was not right ( the reason they had to give big rebates), no motor drives (still not available), no winders (when they finally brought them to market they didn't work), no remote, etc. It was horrible planning. If Leica had done a better job in preparing the camera for market they would have sold more and, as a result, would have had more money to invest in product development and enhancements. I have an F5 system and I love it. I have an R8 and several lenses and I love it. The perfect camera that would allow me to consolidate into one brand would be an autofocus R8. In my opinion, Leica lenses are clearly superior. I prefer the ergonomics of the R8, the quaility, the solidity and the quietness. It is much more user friendly and it does everything better than the F5 with the exception of speed. Speed is important. Unfortunately, if Leica would go head-on with the Nikon F5,it would be cost prohibitive, but it would be interesting. I can justify owning both systems because each camera does specific things better than the other. Obviously, these are my opinions. We are lucky to have both available to us. Hmmmmm, I wonder if I can finder an adapter to fit my Leica lenses on my Nikon? Love my Leicas! Bob Bedwell << Isn't it supply and demand?? Since the demand is less for the R8 than say the EOS-3 or F5 they don't make as many. With production lower they need to charge more to be profitable. If this were made by a company in greater numbers it would be substantially lower in price. Peter K >>