Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/01/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]If you were buying into a film camera system today, would you buy new instead of second hand as far as Leica is concerned? They are definitely going the Hermes way (any company that has persuaded me to shell out $150 for a necktie is worthy of respect), equating exclusivity with sky high prices. As far as I am concerned, if I was buying a new film camera, I would buy a Nikon F6 in a heartbeat...the F series are at least as well built as Leica M cameras, easier repaired, and will last forever. Cheers Jayanand Govindaraj Chennai, India ----- Original Message ----- From: <Thinkofcole@aol.com> To: <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 3:21 AM Subject: [Leica] doomed? > IMHO, there's been much too much negative talk about Leica these days. I > believe we should look for a moment at the positive side. > I don't believe Leica is doomed at all; it's just setting its sights > alongside the likes of five-star restaurants, Vueve Cliquot champagne, > Dusenberg cars of yesteryear and Patek Philippe watches. > Leica even has a reasonable answer to help those who can't afford the > neighborhood. > To be sure, shares of stock in Hermes --which owns almost a third of > Leica Camera AG -- have not been doing very well in France and Germany > these > days and neither has Leica Camera stock. > While Hermes's drop may be due to several other factors, Leica's stock > market declines may be attributed to the rapidly changing consumer market > away > from film to digital cameras and the great degree of uncertainty not only > among stock market analysts but also among camera dealers and camera > buyers. > However, we are finding that while many camera users are buying digital > cameras, many are not exactly delighted with their digital experience. > And > while some vintage cameras, including Leica, have been dropping in price, > they > are still bringing respectable prices, only not the crazy prices they > once > did. > Moreover, Leica --which once had the market pretty much to itself in > many > respects -- is discovering that other companies have entered the market > with > very respectable range-finder cameras, lenses and accessories at > considerably > lower prices. > Leica's latest newsletter, earlier this month, notes that Ralf Coenen, > its > 43-year-old new chief executive officer, who holds a degree in physics > and > moved from Zeiss to Leica five years ago, helped set up Leica's > collaboration with Panasonic and Imacon. > His corporate outlook seems worth studying: > His policy: "Leica," he says, "will always pursue top technologies and > the > finest hand craftsmanship..." > On digital: "When we develop digital products, we must guarantee the > same...value...our customers ...expect from their investments in Leica M > or R > systems. " > On the future: "We will continue to promote analogue photography"...but > "photography on a silver halide basis will {one day} become a small, > noble > niche, like mechanical watches or record players.'' > On the high cost: "The second hand market offers attractive introductory > solutions -- after all, our products are built to last 10, 20, even 30 > years > without suffering quality loss. > "And don't forget, the bargain item can be sent to the Leica Customer > Service for a thorough check. > "One day," Mr. Coenen went on, "we might even expand our offer by > providing your discovered treasure with a user guarantee.'' > Leica's goal: "Zero tolerance" and "maximum precision work even in the > concealed areas of the camera." > Does this sound like a company ready to throw in the towel? I think > not. > Of course, I'm going to get a digital camera some day soon but I don't > see > the day I'll give up the best of my Leica stuff. I just hope that after > I'm > gone, my wife won't sell my Leica's for $50 apiece to the first person who > asks. --Regard, bob cole > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >