Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/06/08

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Subject: [Leica] The End of The "M"
From: douglas.sharp at gmx.de (Douglas Sharp)
Date: Wed Jun 8 14:07:29 2005
References: <BECCCFC5.13DF%bdcolen@comcast.net>

I'm in for a Digital-M only if there is a warranty saying I can get a 
sensor and software update every 2 years. If the bodywork and VF/RF last 
for generations then where's the sense of putting in a sensor system 
that is obsolete within a year or two.
Douglas

B. D. Colen wrote:
> No, if you really want the company to survive, the thing to hope for is the
> end of the M film line and the beginning of the digital M line. Because if
> they build it - and it is excellent, and it doesn't cost more than current
> high-end DSLR bodies - people will definitely buy it. Photojournalists will
> once again be using Leicas. Rich people will buy them. Not so rich people
> will even buy them. Such a camera might just keep Leica afloat for a while.
> 
> 
> On 6/8/05 4:09 PM, "Gene E. McCluney" <mccluney@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 
> 
>>>Good points, B.D.!  One thing that makes me doubt any imminet "end
>>>of the M" is that I seem to recall hearing somewhere---was it here
>>>on the LUG?---that it's the R series equipment that was heavily into
>>>the red ink, and that the M series was doing rather better.  But
>>>please correct me if that recollection were mistaken.
>>>
>>>Art Peterson
>>
>>
>>It is really of no importance whether the "R" line is currently in
>>the red, or at least "redder" than the "M" line.  What is relevant is
>>rationalizing production costs in reference to a predominantly
>>Digital product output.  It makes much more sense to "spin off" a new
>>film "M" mount camera from whatever technology has to be in place to
>>make the Digital "M" mount camera.   I doubt Leica could sustain
>>multiple product lines making essentially incompatible parts cameras.
>>They will have to have a design that will work for both digital and
>>film with little difference in core parts (except for the digital
>>bits), in order to continue making film cameras as production items.
>>
>>It is old news that the Digital "M" would have to have a metal
>>vertical running shutter, similar to the "R" cameras due to the
>>requirements of the imager chip.  Who knows, maybe the shutter will
>>be outsourced from Copal even.  I assume Leica will adhere to the
>>good tactile and sensory perception of their products and in the end
>>the products will be perceived as top of the line.
>>
>>Gene McCluney
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: lug-bounces+arthur.peterson=navy.mil@leica-users.org
>>>[mailto:lug-bounces+arthur.peterson=navy.mil@leica-users.org]On Behalf
>>>Of B. D. Colen
>>>Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 15:12
>>>To: Leica Users Group
>>>Subject: Re: [Leica] The End of The "M"
>>>
>>>
>>>Uh, "cheesy Newsweek hoax?" Isn't it odd that while the world has been
>>>trashing Newsweek for its "cheesy hoax," verified report after verified
>>>report of Koran desecration has come out - including from the Pentagon? 
>>>Yet
>>>people speak of the "cheesy Newsweek hoax." Seems to me Newsweek got the
>>>essential story right, and first; they were simply off on some of what are
>>>essentially meaningless details.  So if you really care one way or another
>>>about whether Ms are made in the future, I'd hope this is more like the
>>>weapons of mass destruction hoax (did I say that?! :-)) than the "Newsweek
>>>hoax."
>>>
>>>Now, as to it being a troll, a hoax, etc....Who knows. But at this point 
>>>it
>>>would hardly be shocking - nor would it matter much, given that there are
>>>enough M cameras out there to supply all those who want them unto the 
>>>second
>>>and third generations. The only people to whom the "death of the M" will
>>>really matter are those who work making them - the rest of those who care
>>>about Ms will have them as long as they want them.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>On 6/8/05 1:05 PM, "mcyclwritr@comcast.net" <mcyclwritr@comcast.net> 
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Shades of Deep Throat? Perhaps he/she will be known as Wide Aperature.
>>>>
>>>> On the other hand, it might be another cheesy Newsweek hoax:
>>>> "Adherents to sacred Leica M riot over flushing of M-series."
>>>>
>>>> -Chris Lawson 
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Ted writes:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Aaaaaahhhhhh the anonymous shadowy figure in the darkend under ground
>>>>> parking lot whispers anonymously....... "The M end is near!"
>>>>>
>>>>> And the faithful fall upon their knees crying, whailing with great
>>>>>gnashing
>>>>> of teeth pleading the end not cometh! The sky fills with blackening 
>>>>> clouds
>>>>> and flashing Leica lightening!!!!!! Red dots rain from the heavens for 
>>>>> 30
>>>>> days and 30 nights, all to avail. The end cometh sayeth the anonymous
>>>>> shadowy figure! ;-)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Leonard J Kapner offered:
>>>>> Subject: [Leica] The End of The "M"
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Just to get our juices flowing this morning, here's a message that
>>>>>> appeared In the photo.net Leica discussion group this morning from
>>>>>>Kipling
>>>>>> Phillips:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I just talked to the manager of a large camera distributor here in
>>>>>>Germany
>>>>>> and he told me that he's received information that the "M" camera 
>>>>>> line is
>>>>>> to be discontinued.I can't give any names.<<<
>>>>>
>>>>> Aaaaaahhhhhh the anonymous shadowy figure in the darkend under ground
>>>>> parking lot whispers anonymously....... "The M end is near!"
>>>>>
>>>>> And the faithful fall upon their knees crying, whailing with great
>>>>>gnashing
>>>>> of teeth pleading the end not cometh! The sky fills with blackening 
>>>>> clouds
>>>>> and flashing Leica lightening!!!!!! Red dots rain from the heavens for 
>>>>> 30
>>>>> days and 30 nights, all to avail. The end cometh sayeth the anonymous
>>>>> shadowy figure! ;-)
>>>>>
>>>>> WOW!  What a great rumour to start mid-week, heck we should get a 
>>>>> couple
>>>>>of
>>>>> weeks worth of exciting horse hockey rumour filled key pounding out of
>>>>>this
>>>>> one! ;-)
>>>>>
>>>>> And the price on my M7's just went up a grand! ;-) Keep the rumours 
>>>>> going!
>>>>> ;-)
>>>>>
>>>>> ted
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>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
> 
> 

Replies: Reply from bdcolen at comcast.net (B. D. Colen) ([Leica] The End of The "M")
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