Re: [Leica] M and R Future

["Elliot M. Puritz, MD" <drpuritz@li.net>]

Stephen Gandy wrote:

> I am told that the release of the new Voigtlander Rangefinder in LTM mount is
> imminent (the present Bessa L with   RF added) Ricoh is also said to be about to
> release a new rangefinder, rumored to be with M mount and AE operation.   The
> Konica Hexar M has long been rumored, and prototypes made.  Cameras are more of
> a hobby with Konica, and their dedication to putting the camera into production
> is questionable.    Canon is also said to have made a M prototype, though
> production is very unlikely.   Perhaps most interesting is Nikon.  Though they
> did not make a camera prototype, they did produce the most important component
> which no one else supposedly has so far:  a  combined zoom rangefinder / finder
> with parallax correction.
> 
> New Leica products  aimed directly at Cosina could could easily wipe out the new
> competition. ... but their resources are stretched with massive investment in
> what has proven to be a poor seller in the marketplace: the R8.
> 
> Literally as I was writing this, a friend emailed that the rumor is Japan is a
> new M7 at Photokina in Sept 2000.    That would be great, but they also need a
> lower priced line of rangefinders and lenses to compete against Cosina.


Stephen:  Perhaps Leica's response will indeed be the rumored SM camera 
with an improved range finder, built in metering with TTL...anything else?

Wonder if Leica's resources would allow, if you excuse the expression, a 
"range of Rangefinder" cameras.

You know Stephen, in this era of mega-mergers amongst unlikely 
partners, would it be completely crazy to wonder about Nikon and Leica 
doing something together...Leica using Nikon's improved rangefinder with 
zoom and producing an entirely new M line? Heck, I know such sounds 
absolutely crazy, but what would be so bad for both of these companies?

Elliot