Re: [Leica] digital M (what's the benefit?)

["Mxsmanic" <mxsmanic@hotmail.com>]

B. D. Colen writes:

> The day Leica has a CEO who says it is only
> necessary to break even or show "a profit, %35
> growth each year really isn't necessary" is
> the day Leica's stockholders string that
> CEO up by his ears before firing him on
> the spot.

The day a CEO starts trying to generate 35% annual growth will be the beginning
of the end for the M series, because growth like that can never be achieved and
maintained without sacrificing quality.

> That's why it is safe to predict the R line
> has come to the end of the line, or will quite
> soon if it continues to wrack up losses.

The R line is not losing money.  It simply isn't making as much money as it used
to; sales have retreated somewhat since last year (whereas the M has
progressed).  I don't think it is a coincidence that the R has a great deal of
competition, whereas the M has virtually none.

> And, also in keeping with the idea of reality
> checks - Leica could shift ALL its R&D effort
> over to a digital camera and not hurt the M line one
> little bit.

But they would hurt the lenses a great deal.  I'd prefer that Leica spend its
R&D on lenses, not bodies.

> As was pointed out here, the current Leica M
> lenses are all among the best on the planet.

But they are still far from perfect.  Additional R&D will make them better and
better.  Until they are all diffraction-limited, there is room for improvement.
(A small handful _are_ diffraction-limited, but they are still very much the
exception to the rule.)

> So the M line would not be endangered if R&D
> switched to digital.

But the glass would.  I want glass more than I want digital.

> Further, it's a safe bet that Leica will be getting
> the great bulk of its digital technology from a
> yet to be announced partner already well into the
> digital business.

That's a worry, too:  I can't think of any partner offhand that would have the
same passion for quality that Leica demonstrates.  What could would an
indestructible body be with electronics that fail after a year, or even fail
right out of the box?