Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]on 24/9/00 7:59 AM, MGMcGough@aol.com at MGMcGough@aol.com wrote: > I guess that it is something like "if you > can't have the real thing - a replica will do" & the Japanese > used to sell inflatable, poly-orificed sex dolls for that ilk. Mostly for export, I think. I assume you are in the US in which case I would look a bit closer at your own back yard with the world's largest pornography and sex toy market before making such comments. There are many reasons why Leica or any other company introduce or reintroduce products. Just because you don't understand their motivations doesn't mean you are justified in making snide, off-colour or racist remarks. I think the O series is quite a nice idea and though I have no plans to buy one I am sure they will sell to the growing retro market to which Leica is gradually waking up. Whilst Leica have lost market share in the 35mm market for decades they have watched others make small fortunes trading in their 'obsolete' products: finally they may be trying to get a piece of the action what with first the reintroduction of chrome finish and then screw mount for current lenses. I understand that many of the special products such as cut-away camera and the Ur Leica replica were projects for apprentices at the factory: beats drilling holes in sheet metal, I suppose. The O Leica is likely a similar project which does much to draw attention to Leica's prime asset: its history. As a professional photographer I would like to feel they would make a greater effort to make the products I would like to help my work but I can appreciate that professional photographers have been only a small proportion of the Leica market from day one. As for why make 'obsolete cameras' you might also look in the US for the thriving wooden camera industry, the resurgence of 19th century processes and the rather healthy market for 'obsolete' products made the old fashioned way such as mechanical watches, Indian motorcycles, 'designer' clothes, jewellery, fountain pens etc., etc. Best regards Adrian - -- Adrian Bradshaw Corporate and Editorial Photography Beijing, China tel/fax +86 10 6532 5112 mobile +86 139 108 22292 e-mail apbbeijing@yahoo.com OR adrianpeterbradshaw@compuserve.com website: http://www.apbphoto.com http://www.liaisonintl.com/bradshaw.htm _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com