Re: [Leica] Leica in big trouble? (relax)

["dan states" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

I think we are all getting a little too worried..This company has been on 
and off the rocks for years.  My guess is the worst(best?)thing that could 
happen is purchase by one of the mega manufacturers.  The Leica name holds a 
hell of a lot of good will, and the company would be a relatively small 
investment for the Nikons of the world.  Many other great names, including 
Jaguar have undergone such a fate, and most came out with stronger products 
afterwards.  I really don't care WHO owns the company, as long as the 
PRODUCT survives.  I am guessing there are a number of companies who would 
like to make a product with 50 year old technology that can sell for over 
2000.00!(M6)

I think a company like Leica with a bankroll the size of Nikon's would 
produce some very interesting products.  (maybe even a proper motor advance 
for the R8)

Dan


>
>Dan K wrote:
>
><<<<<The question you will have to ask yourselves is this, "Are your
> >children and your grandchildren prepared to share your passions, your
> >dreams and your love for Leicas and pay the price for it in this rapidly
> >changing world?">>>>>>>>>
>
>Hi Dan,
>
>I beleive for decendents to appreciate our feelings of things LEICA will
>only occur if each of us teach them the value of what we have.
>
>This doesn't happen by telling them, "Don't touch the camera, no you can't
>try it, Whatever you do don't even breath on that Leica or daddy or grandpa
>will be angry!"  For each of our ancestors to understand the wonders of
>photography with high quality equipment they have to feel it, see it, look
>through it, shoot their pictures with it. HAVE THEM IN THEIR HANDS!  Of
>course with guidance.
>
>If they are not allowed the excitment and comfort zone of a LEICA in hand
>and see the results, they'll never help carry on the LEICA tradition. We
>all learn by doing and using....the kids must be taught and allowed to
>understand why we have such passion for our cameras.
>
>If Leica is in financial trouble as some here indicate, we handful of LUG
>Leica users are hardly going to make a mark in their survival or demise.
>Partially because we already own the bulk of our equipment and prices have
>escalated to a point where many can't afford to purchase more or replace
>older gear. Whether we work at it as a profession or amateur.
>
>Sure there are a couple of lenses I'd dearly love to have, but finding or
>generating an extra 10 or 20 thousand dollars for them is out of the
>question.
>
>I'm afraid if it is going down the tube and belly up....(I find that hard
>to beleive.) ..but stranger things have happened. Quite frankly there isn't
>anything anyone or collectively on the LUG can prevent it.  That is unless
>one of you happen to have a 100 Kuwati oil wells in your back yard pumping
>hugh dollars for your disposal and you buy the whole operation as a fun
>thing for your LUG friends to have all the toys they wish.:)
>
>One can only trust LEICA will continue producing those wonderful machines
>and if they need to use modern day plastics or other unheard of alloys, so
>be it. But if they do, then it should be reflected in the lower cost of
>equipment.
>
>My gut feeling is it will survive, maybe not on the grand scale it once
>was, but due to the numbers of cameras out there that will require service
>and or upgrading it will be there.  Or some very enterprising individuals
>will put to gether an international mega servicing company for giving
>broken things TLC and bring them back to health.
>
>But when a LEICA is built much like a Tiger Tank they, like the Energizer
>little pink bunny, go on forever. Providing you use it and give it a little
>abuse once a month. :)  Much like sweethearts, use em or loose 'em! :)
>
>Just look at it this way, Its a good sized corporation, world economics are
>still in turmoil, however money gurus are telling us it's improving slowly,
>so lets think positive for LEICA'S survival before some start wearing black
>mourning arm bands!
>
>
>
>Ted Grant
>This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
>http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
>
>


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