[Leica] A Leica Business Plan

[rangefinder at screengang.com (Didier Ludwig)]

Bob

Unfortunately, Leica actually even has no money for R&D for a Digilux 3, so 
with what money should they develop a new DSLR or digi-M. How much time and 
money do you think Nikon and Canon needed do develop their DSLR line-ups? 
More than Leica earns in seven years. You cannot produce a Nikon D70 or a 
Canon 20d without having developped the top-of-the-line model first.

I see four options for Leica:

- Leica is bought by Panasonic, keeps the analog line, but digitally seen, 
joins the 4/3 train with new lenses and bodies, giving up DMR and digital M 
plans, and produces hi-end lenses for for the 4/3 market

- Leica is bought by Konica-Minolta, keeps the analog line, keeps DMR and 
digi-M plans with the technology from K-M, and produces hi-end lenses for 
K-M bodies

- If no buyer comes in, Leica is, as Philippe proposed, cut down to a 
specialty maintenance and repair shop for exisiting cameras and lenses, and 
an on demand production shop

- Or, worst case, Leica goes bancrupt

Didier





>Leica has that opportunity by producing a digital M 35mm format and a DSLR 
>that can compete with the D70. Then they could sell their non pareil 
>lenses to really make profit.
>Bob