Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/07/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> > ------------------------------ > > From: "Charles E. Love, Jr." <cel14@cornell.edu> > Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 09:10:40 -0400 (EDT) > Subject: Re: Leica's USA price list > > I am a long-time Leica user (both M and R), but have been lurking around > here for only a little while. > In the spirit of photographers rather than collectors, though, we have to be > honest ...total sales are still a drop in the bucket compared to top-line Canon and Nikon. I am pleased that Leica is at last offering a fuller pro-oriented line in the R-series, but it has taken a long time to get there, mostly because of very limited resources. > > AND--despite some others' comments--it does matter that the reflexes are way > behind the times- > The fact that something or other is hard to get for a while doesn't prove > that sales are great--it only reflects a ratio between supply and demand. > How many M6 J's were made? > > I think we all love Leicas because of the wonderful quality feel of the > product--using Leicas is a special experience. I, at least, am rooting for > them to survive and prosper. I just hope that they--and we--can get a > little beyond the Leica Legend and look at the realities. > Charles E. Love, Jr. Well said Charles. I too am a M and R system user but I must confess to a bit of collecting. As others have said, Leica is to be condemned for the unabashed proliferation of self-proclaimed collectible cameras. It has become the Franklin Mint of the camera world instead of a world-class forward design manufacturer. I do believe that earlier M cameras and lenses were built with more inherent quality and luxury of finish. Perhaps too were the SLR series of which I have only a few examples predating The current equipment. My R7 is terribly marred from normal handling. The finish does not hold up to normal use although I admit to being less genteel with this piece than with my M6s . True collectibles are those that are made so well that they become classics in design, quality or both. Paul T. Collura pcollura@epix.net