Re: [Leica] Contax N1 + Photokina hopes

[Chris Lee <chrislee@mac.com>]

According to what the guys at Contax told me, the Aria and 28-70 have been
selling like hotcakes.

The Aria+28-70 may not fit the profile of the ideal system for a photo nut.
However, the combination of lightweight and low price is what many consumers
are demanding. Aria+28-70 represents a two-tier strategy for Contax. They
will continue to follow that two tier strategy in which their product range
encompasses from lower end mass market products (Aria+28-70) to more rugged
gear demanded by pros and the photo enthusiasts. The new N1 is also targeted
at a market segment similar to that of the Aria, for which convenience is of
the greatest importance.

A two-tier strategy is necessary. Companies cannot expect to survive and
prosper by ignoring consumers' demands. (Most other major camera
manufacturers are not making money from their camera business, and several
have been debating exiting the business altogether. Nikon comes to mind.)
What is important for us is that Contax has made the pledge to continue
developing its manual focus system. The introduction of Aria/N1 should not
be regarded as a threat. Rather, it is exactly what Contax needs if it
intends to stay in the business and continue selling high quality manual
focus gear.

The 645's outer plastics are very different from those used on the Aria. The
goal is to achieve the lowest weight and maximum protection. A mixture of
carbonfibre and plastic was used. The former gives the camera its impact
resistance and lightweight (carbonfiber is actually stronger than steel in
impact absorption), and the latter allows the body to be formed into a more
complex shape. (Very costly do to with carbonfiber if no plastic is added.)

Especially in the low quantities of the Contax 645 produced, the
carbonfiber+plastic can actually be a lot more expensive than steel. It was
certainly not a cost issue.

Regards,

Chris  

> From: Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com>
> Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2000 09:20:06 -0700
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] Contax N1 + Photokina hopes
> 
> apbbeijing wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Chris - but surely not due to the innovation in the SLR line which
>> amounted to the Aria and 28-70 and er, that's it for a while...Must have
>> been the G2 and more likely the 645 which is selling very well from what I
>> have heard: so well the lens line cannot be expanded as fast as Zeiss had
>> hoped since they are struggling to keep up with demand for the initial
>> selection.
>> 
>> --
>> Adrian Bradshaw
>> <Snip> 
> I wish these people could redesign the exterior finish on these lenses they
> make
> for the Aria S2, and 645 systems.
> They  are not worthy of the glass inside of them. They look cheap cheap cheap.
> Just like a Vivitar lens I had in the 70's.
> Who cares just as long as the glass is Zeiss inside? I do. The thought of
> spending all that money on lenses that look worse than anything out there just
> doesn't do it for me. Ain't gonna happen.
> Mark Rabiner