Are we getting our money's worth?

[Stephen Gandy <cameras@jetlink.net>]

> At 09:41 AM 11/13/96 -0500, Charles E. Love, Jr., wrote:
> 
> My problem is that that money ought to go
> >to rejuvenate the M series, as you say--and it doesn't seem to.  Wonderful
> >as it is, the M6 is a bit of a joke to some non-Leica users, because it is
> >essentially identical to a design from the '60s,
> 

I agree 1000%.   Even though the M6 is a great camera and part of a
legendary system, it could easily be a LOT better than it is.  
Certainly M customers deserve a lot more than they are receiving for the
money.   There are so many things that should be added to  bring it up
to date, the mind boggles.

Yet, Leitz does relatively nothing with the M line other than bringing
out an endless supply of meaningless bullshit M6 commemoratives and most
daring of all, magically changes black lenses to chrome.  Big Deal.  
The recent exceptions are a $3,000 35mm lens and a NEW 24mm lens
something like 25 years after Nikon first introduced theirs.   sorry,
but I am not impressed.  

There are basically two things wrong with this picture:

1) Leitz management who have made a career of milking the most out of a
very old horse with the absolute minimum of new investment money

2) Loyal Leica fanatics who lull themselves into being satisfied with a
minimum of new products and modern updates without crucifying Leitz
management.

If Leica continues its present M system marketing and design trends, I
believe it is only a matter of time until the present company is
bankrupt.   I can only hope that it is bought out  by  Nikon or Canon so
that the new Leitz will finally turn out some modern rangefinder
cameras.   

Notice that these comments are restricted to the M system.  Fine optics
though they are, the R system simply hasn't made a big enough impact in
the marketplace to take it seriously.  It is the M camera which keeps
Leitz going.  Leitz has proved many times they can design SLR lenses but
not SLR bodies.  I will be surprised if the R8 turns out to be a break
in their consistency.
 
With Leica's history, price and reputation, Leica lovers have a right to
expect the very best in up to date design and quality construction.  I
for one, certainly don't think we are getting it.

On the other hand, current M products would be earth shattering if only
the calendar said 1957.

Stephen Gandy