RE: [Leica] Some ideas for a new R

[Peterson Arthur G NSSC <PetersonAG@NAVSEA.NAVY.MIL>]

Chuck,

I must disagree---not that I really know, of course, but we're just talking
opinions here.  Leica has long tried to make lower cost (relatively
speaking) bodies available.  If I recall, there were lower cost, less fully
featured screwmount models; there was the M2 after the M3; there was the CL;
there was the R4S (or was it R4S2?) after the R4; and there was the R-E
after the R5.  In other words, they have a long history of trying to offer
lower priced models by reducing size, features, complexity, or whatever,
while maintaining high quality.  And based on these many examples of
attempted price reductions, I cannot imagine that they are selling the R6.2
at a "ripoff" price, but rather only at a price required to make a profit
(the objective of all business) after covering the production costs for a
very high quality camera.

The R6.2 is not different in this regard from any other Leica---the R8 or
the M6---and if you think the R6.2 is a "ripoff," then those other cameras
must be that too.  So then why remain a Leica user?

Finally, where a camera or lens is made is irrelevant.  I've heard nothing
but good reports about the current zooms made for Leica by Sigma, and I know
from personal experience that the Leica CL and the 35-70/3.5 zoom both made
for Leica by Minolta were very high quality items (yes, I know the CL was
not as rugged and heavy-duty as an M camera, but its purpose was to be light
and convenient).  All those items demonstrate that when Leica has someone
else build something, they don't carelessly ignore its quality or market a
"ripoff," but rather insist that it measures up to Leica's standards.

Art Peterson



- -----Original Message-----
From:	Ccl1396915541@aol.com [mailto:Ccl1396915541@aol.com]
Sent:	Monday, August 07, 2000 10:15 AM
To:	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject:	[Leica] Some ideas for a new R

After I slammed the R bodies I thought before I went off on my trip I'd 
propose what might be a nice way to support the Leitz lenses everybody is 
rooting for.  Suppose Leica called up Nikon and said: Hey, you still have
the 
tooling for the F4?  Ok, we'll buy it.  We'll rip out the autofocus motor 
(but leave in the in-focus lights) and hook  up a Leica lensmount to the 
meter.  Ought to have room for the cams once the AF is gone.  Then, Leica 
calls up Cosina and says:  make us one of those cheap mechanical bodies like

you do for Nikon and Olympus and Yashica and Ricoh.  We want both a spot 
meter and centerweighted in ours like the Olympus has.  We'll sell it for 
$400 'cause it says "Leica".  That way folks can get started in the system
or 
have a good cheap spare body.   The R62 is a ripoff at the price they ask.  
You get the picture.  Leica isn't ashamed to buy their zoom lenses from 
Japan, maybe they should just subcontract their bodies to a good company,
get 
a really nice reliable modern design, and concentrate on making those super 
duper lenses instead of pissing everyone off with their self destructing 
bodies.

Chuck