Re: [Leica] R8 sales

[Stephen <cameras@jetlink.net>]

Erwin Puts wrote:

> Stephen wrote in part:
> "If the R8 and its lenses were AF, its sales would probably much much much
> higher,  Leica would probably not have the financial problems it has, and you
> wouldn't have to defend it because there would be few detractors."
>
> Do you have any figures or facts, or arguments or reasoning to
> support this claim?
> How much higher would sales be? 5%, 50% or even 300%?? Based on what
> premises and market analysis?
> Do you have facts to support the statement that the detractors are
> dumping the R8 because of the non AF feature.
> Can you give me financial figures and facts that prove that the
> current financial problems are due to the current level of  R8 sales.

yes Erwin, take a good look at Leica's financials, reduced R sales, and loses the
past few years.  your unquestioning admiration of Leica seems to be getting in
the way of your objectivity and good judgment.  it's not a problem of detractors
dumping the R8, it's a problem of detractor's looking at the R8's outdated
specifications and never buying  it.

>
>
> Another quote by Stephen is:
> "Now 15 years later, Leica still hasn't figured out how to do it, yet all of
> the major Japanese manufacturers have.

sloppy writing on my part.  in my vernacular, "figuring out" how to do something
includes the total project -- in this case brining it to market

>
>
> Are you really sure that Leica does not have figured out how to do
> it?  How do you know? Might there be other reasons, not known by you
> for Leica's current position on AF?
>
> Erwin
>
>

I am sure there are factors I don't know about in Leica's non SLR AF strategy,
but I would  bet the biggest one is lack of R&D money.

Stephen Gandy