Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/02/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>>>>>>>>> Dante, it just goes to show that handling is a subjective thing...But I do have one concern. Why is a a Konica HexarRF, made in Japan, with electronic shutter and some fairly standard specs and no TTL, worth as much or more than a Nikon F100? The profit margin for Konica has to be tremoundous! <<<<<<<<<< Without getting into whether the Hexar RF is overpriced (having not handled one yet I have no opinion on that), I doubt Konika's profit margin is tremendous. To take the F100 analogy a step further, current serial numbers suggest the F100 has been selling at well over 10,000 units per month since its introduction. I seem to remember reading that the Konica is limited to 500 units per month. Assuming I have these numbers correct, there's a pretty substantial economy of scale working towards the F100's advantage. Compared to an F100, I'd expect the Hexar RF to cost more. More interesting to me is the approach Nikon may be taking to introducing a rangefinder, if rumors recently posted to this list prove correct. That is, first introducing a limited run resurrected S5 at a substantial price, then releasing a more commercially-priced rangefinder. Makes me wonder if Nikon is covering the bulk of what must be considerable rangefinder design and tooling expenses with a collector's camera first, so the later rangefinder can be sold at a reasonable price. Larry