RE: [Leica] why leica?

[Jeremy Kime <jeremy.kime@bbc.co.uk>]

Andre,
I love your posts, they're so full, and illuminating,
but the question was
can you say, concisely, why you do use leica?
"concisely"! ;-)

Jem
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Andre Jean Quintal [SMTP:megamax@abacom.com]
> Sent:	Friday, July 23, 1999 11:28 AM
> To:	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject:	Re: [Leica] why leica?
> 
> At 09:44 +0100 23/07/99, Guy Bennett wrote:
> >can you say, concisely, why you do use leica? what is it exactly about
> >these cameras that appeals to you?
> 
> 	--> it is very unlikely a novice would be in a position
> 	to appreciate the finer things Leica brand products
> 	can bring to a seasoned photographer.
> 	--> "professionals" often have to "make do" with what
> 	the boss thinks is good enough to get the job done,
> 	the invoice paid.
> 	--> why get a BMW when a Honda gets you there,
> 	seems to be a general philosophy.
> 	--> some Leica people possibly get it as a fetish,
> 	a fantasy come true, an identity factor, a token of self-reward,
> 	a status symbol, others go for it knowing fully
> 	the upsides and downsides of the product,
> 	pay Leica premium prices because the results usually
> 	justify the extra expense and finally rest assured
> 	their work, their art, their photo time is likely
> 	to reach a higher degree of satisfaction with Leica.
> 	--> notice: "a token of self-reward", that one is MY
> 	personal motivation, as photo related equipment goes.
> 	--> I suppose a Canon A2E with I.S. zoom is a good thing
> 	to many people, and I truly appreciate it for what it is
> 	and what it can do, but a point and shoot would bring
> 	as much satisfaction to me when people ask me to
> 	"take a photo or two". The Konica Hexar is getting closer.
> 	The good old Nikon FM2 is a good camera, too.
> 	A Carl Zeiss Contarex probably would get a very high note
> 	if it was still available, ... alas.
> 
> 	That leaves LEICA:
> 	You want a real, fine photo instrument ?
> 	You have grown beyond the photo basics and auto-focus?
> 	You have come to compose an image on instinct and art?
> 	You have come to a point where you don't mind slow speed
> 	films and enjoy their other qualities ?
> 	Your budget alllows for it (more or less) ?
> 	Photography is a consuming passion and you are well read
> 	on many of the great photography masters of all time
> 	and can appreciate and discriminate even amongst their
> 	very best shots?
> 	You attend photo exhibits and you drool to achieve
> 	such high quality images?
> 	You appreciate high quality goods for what they are?
> 	You have evolved a personal photo style that photo literate
> 	friends recognize at first sight and that stands on its own
> 	with knowledgeable stangers or art directors?
> 	You don't necessarily mind the "others do it, why don't you"
> 	mentality and have long ago decided to go your own way
> 	in life and simply enjoy your photo hobby for a relaxing moment
> 	in a very busy, involving, hectic, professional life?
> 
> 	These, Guy, seem to be a few of the motivations that
> 	get people to buy into Leica brand. It took me some time
> 	to realize why the darn things are so expensive but it grew
> 	on me. I can point to alternates, as I did above, and I think they
> 	stand as "good stuff", but there is a time for a Leica
> 	in one's life and I can truly wish for you that such a privilege
> 	has landed for you.
> 
> 	Perhaps some get such items for social approval and psychological
> 	security, but the product performs in positive predictable fashion.
> 	Some do criticize this or that but they really fail to allow
> 	themselves to become aware of the shortfalls of competing brands
> 	as we stand in 1999 and business conditions have become quite
> 	demanding.
> 
> 	Perhaps there are a few Leica customers who aren't satisfied.
> 	The percentages must be very low. As former store manager & rep
> 	(with an obvious serious input to make the service department
> 	perform and personally help out to make sure things ran as
> 	smoothly as possible when equipment failed), such customers,
> 	a high percentage of people who experience problems with
> 	high end brands, or non-problems, simply can't be satisfied
> 	and demand of others what they themselves can't deliver on
> 	in their own lines of business.
> 
> 	So, weighing the product, the enduring value, the serious effort
> 	that's Leica philosophy and business praxis, the competition's
> 	present day real life company philosophies and business practices,
> 	I would indeed try my best at getting you to consider and buy
> 	into Leica brand products.
> 
> 	Leica is here to stay. It's a company that has had difficult
> 	times, it's not all that big, but it managed to get through
> 	demanding market conditions in the past, and, this very
> 	year, have made an astounding come back, company wise,
> 	and new products are on their way.
> 	The premium models, the Leica M-line and the SLR series,
> 	and ancillary products will stay but, as will become clear shortly,
> 	intermediate markets will soon have to contend with
> 	outstanding next generation general consumer Leica models that will
> 	further contribute to rectify Leica's corporate financial
> 	picture, and that of its world-wide dealers. In April,
> 	Leica shares hit a very low point: they have now resumed
> 	a quite healthy level, reflecting the confidence of investors,
> 	the larger ones having access to inside info that got them
> 	to calm down... So, that means Leica is likely to be more
> 	aggressive in market segments it had poor market share
> 	before, simply on the strength of what's coming our way
> 	in "general public" offerings that will add to their excellent
> 	current models.
> 
> 	To my mind, a completely new Leica Z3X level (above the Z2X)
> 	of variants and a unique, one-of-a-kind prosumer AF/AE rangefinder,
> 	with dedicated high grade Leica optics, some patented for new
> science,
> 	not a M-line baby, definitely more than a point-and-shoot,
> 	are soon to come our way, along with revolutionary lenses
> 	of which the current Leica-M 35mm ASPH f/2 Summicron
> 	can only be a forerunner.
> 
> 	So, I hope I have been more useful than just "Leica-babbling",
> 	and that, whatever you do, that some day, you'll enjoy your
> 	Leica camera (or system) to its fullest potential.
> 
> 	All the best !
> 
> 	Andre Jean Quintal
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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> 
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