Re: [Leica] was leica marketed as a professional camera or a hobbiest camera?

[SthRosner@aol.com]

Kyle:

I'll take a shot (fuhgettabout lawyers). I believe the answer is yes on all 
counts. Go back to the 1930s when what was then called miniature photography 
was just flowering. Professionals did indeed buy and use Leicas in increasing 
numbers as the word got out on how remarkable it was to attend public events 
with such a tiny, handy, precise and accurate camera. 

With a bow to Marc Small, Zeiss Ikon Jena developed THE competing system, the 
Contax and its wonderful line of lenses and related accessories. For the 
pros, the cameras, the lenses, the entire system, marketed themselves. 

But the professional market was probably not big enough to justify the outlay 
to develop the phenomenal array of equipment that both companies did. They 
had to develop a market of well-off "advanced amateurs" who were interested 
in the new-fangled miniature camera and so their print material, including 
the Leica Manual - of which I also have a mid-1950s edition - was aimed at 
the non-professional photographer. The professional didn't need the 
"instruction" provided by the Manual.

I have a strong feeling that the very same thing is true today. The pro knows 
just what (s)he wants - after hearing the experience of colleagues with 
particular gear. Isn't that largely what the LUG is about, for our 
professional members. And remember, ten years ago there was no LUG. The 
non-pro had to rely on friends or on the trustworthiness of his/her local 
camera shop.

my 2p.

Seth      LaK 9
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