[Leica] Leica Announcement (before the official announcement)

[rclompus at mac.com (Richard Clompus)]

I just read this message on the Leica Camera User Forum:  http:// 
www.leica-camera-user.com/digital-forum/10045-new-info-my-dealer.html

Here is a copy of an email I received from my dealer:

In an effort to keep my promise that I would keep you informed of  
anything I learn about the M8 situation, I offer you the following.

I wanted to quickly share with you what I've just learned about how  
Leica will addressing the questions many of you have had on the M8.  
Official announcements to the public will be delivered no later than  
Monday, 27 Nov.

In the mean time, please read below, an excerpt from a letter to all  
Leica sales reps, from Roger Horn, sent this afternoon, Wednesday 22  
Nov. 2006.

Dear All:

I just received the M8 announcements, and I mean Announcements. There  
is a letter for the agency, one for the dealer, one for the consumers  
that have already purchased an M8 and one additional one that is a  
question and answer memo. About 25 pages in all. Since all letters  
have to be read and re-read to make sure there are no inconsistencies  
for our market, I thought it best to just give you the highlights  
which can be shared with your dealer or consumers. Christian and  
Shirley will make sure all the appropriate letters are mailed on  
Monday. The info is also due to be on the Leica Web-site on Friday.

1. The "Banding" and "Mirror/Ghost" effects have been thoroughly  
investigated and the root cause has been identified and eliminated.  
The remedy will enable every M8 to meet and exceed Leica performance  
standards. All customers that have purchased and taken delivery of an  
M8 will be entitled to an upgrade performed in Solms, free of charge.  
Specific measures will be taken to enhance customer loyalty that will  
be outlined in detail in the memo's issued Monday. In summary, every  
one of these customers will be entitled to purchase a new M lens at a  
30% discount directly from the factory in Solms.

2. The above average sensitivity for infrared light can be  
compensated by using an IR filter. Leica will make available two free  
IR filters of any size (there are 7 filter sizes for the current M  
lenses) for M8 purchasers. I am sure the logistics of this is in the  
memo's but I have not read all 25 pages. Delivery of these free of  
charge IR filters will commence in February, 2007.


Again, further details will follow, but now you know what I know.  
Shipment of the M8 will resume sometime next week - though the  
specific day of arrival and quantities deliverable are yet unknown.

Thanks again for your patience and support over the past couple of  
weeks. I have no doubt in my mind the M8 is back on track for  
becoming one of the most successful products in Leica history!


So... the GOOD news is free filters, the BAD news seems to be a trip  
back to Solms for our cameras.

Ralf-Finn Hestoft
HESTOFT | flash detection


Happy Thanksgiving from the U.S.

Richard


Richard Clompus, OD
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL