Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/02/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Ted, I agree, with what you are saying here. I think part of the frustration that a lot of people are expressing is that the level of mismanagement on Leicas part is mind boggling and could have been avoided by a few smart decision. Having grown up in Germany I understand why they have acted the way they have, but that doesn't solve the problem. Frankly I hope that Leica finds a Japanese partner to help bring them into the next millennium. They need someone who can furnish them with digital technology that can be integrated with their mechanical and optical wizardry. I think Hasselblad was a lot smarter. They saw the writing on the wall and developed the H1, which is geared towards digital, teamed up with Fuji as a technology partner and purchased Imacon, which provides them with sensor technology and software. Personally I will continue to shoot film, unless my lively hood suddenly depends on going digital. My desire for a digital M has more to do with my wish for the survival of Leica, than my current personal needs, although they may change down the road. Feli On Feb 19, 2005, at 12:22 PM, Ted Grant wrote: > > Hi feli, > Well I agree with you about it being a favourite tool, no question for > me also. But I'm moving with the common sense of the times as I have > through out my career, whether equipment, solutions or film choice. > Because if you do not take the best of the advances to your benefit as > they come along, you will be left behind and die. > > Sure there'd be a nostalgia sadness if leica were to fold. But I > wouldn't grieve for a second simply because even though my Leica's are > my tools of trade, I'm sure those I have will still be working fine > long after I've gone sometime in the next 30 years. ;-) > > However, if Leica should go crashing and flaming out I don't doubt for > a minute a Japanese corporation would buy it up in a heart beat simply > because there's still a good name to Leica despite the fact many young > folks know nothing about it. > > But in the hands of a big Japanese organization the world would be > spinning Leica in no time. They'd work the "Leica images of greatness > to death!" However, they'd build it around a digital version of some M > type and also film as I expect it to be around for a very long time > yet. The new owners would pump the "Leica World's greatest film camera > now fully digital. Use it and your pictures will have the look of > greatness as seen in film or better! ;-) Into a promotion size Leica, > Solms never imagined possible. Quite possibly never had the economic > means to do so. > > Besides if Leica, Solms closes, there are so many new camera's still > in the world, not to mention thousands of "pre-owned" that you and I > would have a fine selection of M's for work well into the next > century! You'll never lose your favourite tool, Leica closing or not. > > ted > ________________________________________________________ feli2@earthlink.net 2 + 2 = 4 www.elanphotos.com