Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]From: "Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" <peterk@lucent.com> Subject: [Leica] Leica and a new M? <<I think that if we removed the emotional issue of a new M, and looked at it from a business standpoint, redesigning and retooling for an M7 would be very costly and probably not generate the revenues that Leica camera needs. If anything they may add some other niceties. In order to grow Leica they need what the software world calls a "Killer App" Something that will set them apart and generate funds. IMHO, I see only two way to go about this. >> << 1. Develop new AF Leica badged lenses for other SLRS such as Canon, Nikon, etc. This would immediately open a new market and gain revenue for the company. >> 2. Develop their own AF SLR, say a Leica R9AF or something like that. I know we've talked about Minolta's Maxxum 9 possibly becoming the R9, and that makes the most economical sense. If they try to develop it on their own, I would not bet on their success. << As to the M. Eventually, if Konica and others build cameras that can use Leica M-lenses, it would only make sense for Leica to sell their M-lenses instead of trying to compete on the camera side. At least this way they would not go the way of Zeiss-Ikon. >> Peter K - ----------------------------------- I wonder if we care about Leica's rationality at all, though. I never think in terms of what the company Leica should do to survive, I don't know them. I only care that Leica be Leica! I want Leica stuff, and I don't care what benefits them I care about me and Leica - this ain't no LOG! Or LEG! Or other affiliates its Users. We don't need to be rational to the degree that were shareholders, and this is a reductionist idea and simplistic, but they made us this way with the damn summicrons! eno (forgot how to spell Leica - though it was ie then looked at the other words around)