Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/01/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]All arguments aside, Don, I'd really love to know the answer to this one. The problem is that while Leica knows what new equipment it sells and to whom, even Leica doesn't know what used stuff these same people may own. And the percentage of people who have never bought a new body or lens is probably unusually large. I know that my sample of one didn't buy a new body or lens until the late 90s. I figure that buying a new body makes sense because of the warranty, especially given that the bodies now have electronics in them. But to this day the only reason I can see for buying a new lens is that used ones aren't yet available - the lenses last forever, and wysiwyg. Best B. D. -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Don Dory Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 7:01 PM To: 'Leica Users Group' Subject: RE: [Leica] Doomed:now a discussion of leica owners B.D., I have talked to something less than 500 and more than 100 Leica owners over the past then years or so that are not LHSA or LUG folk. It is truly amazing how many people own multiple cameras. The owner of the local gun store, the regional manager of Fuji technical services, an architect, an agent for national talent, an owner of a very large construction company, some guy who caught me shooting light bulbs back lit by the sun. The list goes on and on. One thing that helps is that Atlanta had a very strong Leica dealer for decades. The owner was very dedicated and helpful as well. I remember him flying to Germany to pick up a 400 F2.8 for his customer. So, I will admit that my local area is possibly not typical. But the same thing happens to me in Kansas City when I visit. :) Don dorysrus@mindspring.com -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+dorysrus=mindspring.com@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of B. D. Colen Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2005 12:14 PM To: 'Leica Users Group' Subject: RE: [Leica] Doomed: Leica MP 0.58x But Don, how many people are we talking about? Sure, there are many fans and collectors - but are we talking 500, 1000, 10,000 - world wide? I'm sorry, but I can't believe you've personally talked to more than 100 such people - aside from LHSA and the LUG. Most people who own Leicas are Uncle Ned's. And those who aren't have made their investments, and are dying off. What did we figure the average age is on the LUG? 50something? -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+bdcolen=earthlink.net@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Don Dory Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2005 9:19 AM To: 'Leica Users Group' Subject: RE: [Leica] Doomed: Leica MP 0.58x B.D. said: While Leica acquiring is a disease for some, I would guess - just as you have guessed - that most Leica owners have a single body and own, at absolute most, three lenses; I'd guess most owners have one or two. Actually, that has not been my experience at all with living people. Yes, when someone asks about Uncle Ned's old camera he brought back from Germany, they are only talking about a single camera/lens. However, I could go on for a very long time about individuals that I thought on the surface were normal seeming but have quite a few Leicas stashed away. Perhaps it is a southern thing and the more frugal NEasters only have a body and a lens or two. What is more interesting, is that these individuals have no interest in selling their cameras or lenses. The proverbial story about the SL2 losing so much money that Leica needed to sell three lenses with every body to break even could have an interesting twist. There are a whole bunch of old bodies that might need new lenses. C/V has proved that a modest price point we will buy a few lenses just to try out. If Leica could ever sort out their production and both fill demand and lower cost then they might sell more items. I guess I am suggesting that some production move to a lower cost of business location. Lower price, more product sold, less cost per item to amortize R&D, lower price yet. Back to my original rant err slant, if I did a survey of all the non LUG or LHSA people I know who own and use Leica's, it would probably come out to three bodies and seven lenses as an average. The actual break out would include a LTM, and two M's or alternately an SL, R, and a P&S. In other words, a wide assortment of camera's purchased over the years. Don dorysrus@mindspring.com _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information