[Leica] Leica Solms reports: and survival

[firkin at ncable.net.au (Alastair Firkin)]

I rarely if "ever" buy new, though my R8 70-180, 100 macro 21Asph, 
35-70, and Digilux were. My M6 bodies, M3 R7 and a slew of other 
assorted lenes were all pre-loved. I have not bought anything from 
Leica in the last 12 months, only an X-Pan 2 to accompany the other on 
our hike up to Everest. I am considering moving the Digilux and X=pan 1 
in to a Digilux 2. I would be very hesitant to buy used "digital", as 
with most computer stuff, I think it is best bought new and used 
heavily and constantly -- as I am now doing with my Nikon Scanner.

But having said this, Leica need not make huge or increasing profits to 
survive. Sadly, being a listed company will probably work against it, 
but as long as they "know" their market and budget accordingly, then 
they can and "have" survived.  The real issue is whether there is 'ANY' 
market for 35mm film cameras. If there is, then it is probably the one 
Leica has targeted for many years. Well heeled enthusiasts and back up 
cameras for professionals. Now the later is perhaps a shrinking market, 
as pro's grow up with digital, they may feel a film camera is 
unreliable and shy away, but the former will be around for as long as 
the baby boomers. After that, I suspect there will be no real market at 
all, as the younger generation do not know the brand Leica in any way 
shape or form. I would guess every camera based company other than 
Canon is having a hard time adjusting and keeping up. Some more/less so 
than others. Medium format makers MUST be quaking and I would guess 
will die before 35mm makers. I mean, even Leica will have a digital 
product out perhaps within the financial reach of "its" market, before 
Rollei. I have spare $$ but not the sort that would see me buying the 
new digital Rollei, so unless pro's need it (over the high end Canons) 
then they may well be very rare beasts. Rollei have a habit of selling 
off their expensive duds, so we may pick them up on the way "out".

So my prediction: ifffff the market lets Leica continue to trade with 
little or minimal increase in profit, it will be able to trim back to a 
company which markets expensive hand made items to baby boomers. 
Spending too much on digital might see it worse off than simply keeping 
to what it does well. After all, it survived without Auto exposure and 
even an in-built meter for many more years than one would have guessed.

On 18/02/2005, at 2:46 PM, Frank F. Farmer wrote:

> While, yes, Leica is not in the market of manufacturing "modern 
> digital autofocus" cameras, Leica has not been a huge share of the 
> professional market for years, I would guess.  I certainly am not a 
> professional, nor do I do anything more by this post but wonder aloud 
> - but I would venture to say that most of us are not using our Leicas 
> professionally either.  GRANTED, a number of the members of this list 
> do put their M whatever through the professional grind everyday.  
> However, most of us are taking pictures of our cats, kids, and kin, 
> myself included.  We do this because we like Leicas and enjoy using a 
> quality instrument - like writing with a fine fountain pen.  Given 
> that we who are not paying for our equipment by using our equipment 
> are a good portion of the list (once again, assuming) how many folk 
> have purchased new equipment in the last couple of years?  Just 
> wondering.
>
> Me, you ask?  I have only made four Leica purchases ever (since 2000): 
>  1 M6TTL (new), 1 Tri-Elmar (new) (later sold to purchase the next 
> item on the list), 1 35mm Summicron Asph (new) and 1 M3 (used) - I'm 
> saving for a 50 Summicron that I plan to purchase new.  Am I alone?  
> I'm betting that I am not.  Don't get me wrong, given the funds, I'm 
> sure I'd go on a buying spree of used and new equipment.  Even so, I 
> don't think I'd be able to fix problem on Leica's books.

Alastair