Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/10/17

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Subject: [Leica] Re: Future R Plan
From: s.jessurun95 at chello.nl (animal)
Date: Sun Oct 17 03:43:52 2004
References: <BD974BD3.8643%mark@rabinergroup.com>

Over here in the Netherlands many if not all photographers i have spoken too 
can hardly wait to get the digital back for the R.
So the 100 users statement cannot be accurate.
.best,simon jessurun amsterdam

> On 10/16/04 6:52 PM, "Stephen Gandy" <leicanikon@earthlink.net> typed:
>
>> a lot of Nikon shooters use M too.  it's not an either or world.
>>
>> if Leica can't justify keeping trained staff and has to lay them off in
>> these slack times, I have a difficult time believing Leica can find the
>> funds to develop a new modern AF SLR.  even if they did, every new Leica
>> SLR design since day one in 1964 has  only been 10 to 20 years behind the
>> best current designs from Nikon or Canon.   Leica needs to admit its own
>> failures and move on to survive.
>>
>> I believe from a profit  standpoint, it is smarter and far more cost
>> effective for Leica to just license the R mount for already in production
>> digital cameras, and possibly a new generation of AF Leica glass in a new
>> mount with those partners.  So a Sigma or Fujica or Kodak does not have
>> the build quality of a R9.  so what?  in three years a digital SLR is a
>> doorstop anyway.
>>
>> Leica has to keep making cameras and lenses at a profit,  not investing
>> precious capital into dead ends which won't generate a profitable return.
>> So 100 shooters pop for the $6,000 digital R9 back.  big deal.  with the
>> ever changing world of digital imaging, just by the time it catches on, 
>> it
>> will be outdated, and a lost investment.
>>
>> granted, these are all guesses.  but the fact is, that what Leica has 
>> been
>> doing with its SLR lineup and precious investment capital just has not
>> worked out financially over its entire 40 year R history.  it's time to
>> wake up and think differently, or there will not be a Leica as we know 
>> it.
>>
>> Stephen Gandy
>>
>
>
> Not everyone is as convinced of the non viability of Leica R bodies as the
> guy who is doing a booming business pushing Leica R to Canon adaptors.
> NOT selling Leica bodies.
> NOT selling Leica glass either.
>
> NON Leica bodies for Leica glass.
> NON Leica glass for Leica bodies.
>
> It's the beast 666 antiLeica!
>
> I believe such commercial stance should be at least alluded to in a post
> like this.
>
>
> Mark Rabiner
> Photography
> Portland Oregon
> http://rabinergroup.com/
>
>
>
>
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Replies: Reply from feli2 at earthlink.net (feli) ([Leica] Re: Future R Plan)
In reply to: Message from mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner) ([Leica] Re: Future R Plan)