Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/03/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I would agree that the M6 is in its own unique niche. Despite the growing number of rangefinders in the market (G2, Hexar, Voigtlander etc.), the M6 is still the "gold standard". In fact, according to the resident Leica afficionado at ye olde local pro camera shop, the demand for the M6 has been growing by leaps and bounds (potential interesting case of cross-marketing effects: increased attention being paid to the new rangefinders causes people to look at the M6 more seriously). Unfortunately, the R8 does not really have such a niche. It is undoubtedly an excellent camera (the viewfinder is quite nice...), but has to compete more strongly with the F5, EOS-1*, Contax etc. Though the cost of the R8 body is not outrageous compared to the F5, etc. it is not autofocus and lacks some "features" that make marketing difficult. In addition, the lenses are extraordinarily expensive compared to the competition. While one can argue about the relative quality of the Leica optics vs. other optics, the market still holds N and C in high esteem. What Leitz needs to do is find some way of more clearly differentiating the R series from other SLRs while (perhaps) lowering prices somewhat without affecting quality. How would you folks differentiate the R8, if at all? Mitch