Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/03/09
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 3/9/05 12:24:39 AM, forum@nikoninfo.com writes: > Have you noticed that there is something in the air? Contax is dead, > Leica is dying, Bronica is on their way and Rollei is being reduced to > a point-and-shoot brand. Mamiya will survive in the studio if the ZD > is very good and not too expensive. > -------------------------------------------------- If I may use an analogy from the automobile business, no company that didn't make its own engines survived. A classic example is American Motors (Rambler) -- they used horrible Continental engines. This is in contrast to the airplane industry in which no company makes its own engines. Why? Because the airframe defines the industry. In the camera business, it was also true that film and shutters didn't define the mfg. Lenses did. A company that made its own lenses and mounts -- or at least designed them -- could compete successfully. With the advent of digital we see the automobile simile proving itself because of the centrality of the sensor array. I think those companies will survive that either manufacture their own sensors or become so deeply involved with their design and performance that they might as well produce those sensors. Contrary to prevalent opinion, I think that Leica will survive because they will become involved in the development of exclusive high quality sensors contoured to their lens lines. Kodak already is a factor in sensor production. So is Sony. Nikon will eventually produce their own sensors; they have tremendous capital resources. Any company capable of building an entire new factory for D70 output can make their own sensors. Canon, I believe, already produces their own sensors. So it isn't all that difficult to predict the future. A company that succeeds in sensor fabrication will also afford to continue to market its film models. Software will tie both film and digital together, as it has since the scanner became affordable and integral to computing. Bob