Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2008/10/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Philippe, and everyone else he did not "announce" either an R10 or an R11 - he just said that the names had been registered so that no one else has a chance of putting a product on the market with the same name. His way of saying " We are committed to a long-term future that foresees not only an R10, but an R11 too", he is not necessarily saying that the difference between them will be similar to that between a Canon 1Ds MkIII and a 5D, but I expect this is what it will all boil down to: a Pro FF DSLR and a Prosumer DSLR with fewer bells and whistles (Like the R5 and the R-E) Everyone expected an R4, R5, R6, R7 to follow the R3 (the R8 was in doubt, the R9 was a surprise), this has been Leica's development policy since the R-System started. Just because pre-ACM Leica almost went bust in the process doesn't mean that the new found riches from Austria will let Leica make the same mistakes again. The S2 was a courageous decision and lays a hell of a lot of groundwork for the Leicas to come - whatever the system or format - they are now teamed up with the best sensor and processor providers and have gathered their own experience the hard way, without buying in existing technology. What's left is to stay ahead of the game and widen their customer base with products that convince or persuade new and existing customers alike. Leica is seeking a target group that is made up of existing customers and die-hard fans (us) AND a whole new group of customers. Modern marketing tools - SINUS milieus and Nielsen areas for example - in combination with address management and customer profile databases, will already have located the potential and prospective customers, where they are, their disposable income and their affinities and needs, and will have dropped them neatly into categories . Believe me, the address management people have got you, me and all the rest of us on this list tied down somewhere in connection with Leica and other brands. Have you ever wondered why certain brands pick on you or how very suddenly newsletters from previously unknown photography related sites turn up in your mailbox? Did you register the products you bought? With your address? Your email address? Your home, office and mobile phone numbers? Did you answer the questions about which other products you own? Other interests and hobbies? Marital status? Your approximate income? Whart car you drive? How many children? House owner or not? The questions are all quite harmless and very familiar, aren't they. So, let's say you bought something from Adobe, Canon, Nikon or whoever. That's enough to put you in the photography category - what you bought. for what price. and how you paid for it, the address it was delivered to too. It all goes into Big Brother's pot and is stirred up and analysed by some of the most powerful computers on the market. So the next time something new comes up, you are already a member of a specific target group - could be cars, could be insurance/investments and, of course, it could well be Leica. Don't be surprised if you suddenly start getting unsolicited direct mailings from them - they already know who you are and where. On average, 85-90% of the population is registered in marketing databases - every time you log into a website, use a search engine, every time you book a holiday, every time you use Paypal or your credit card - it all adds up to a profile that reveals a lot more than you would ever give away in a single conversation. It's frightening, but its a fact. They are certainly not flying as blind as they used to. I personally think it's good to know that Doc K is saying he is sticking to his guns and not only looking, but also going, ahead with the R System. Which, at the end of the day, is more than we ever hoped for or expected. It would be absolutely stupid (perhaps commercial suicide) to put any new R camera in a price bracket far above the R9, and I doubt very much that this will be the case - because they already know who you are, what you earn and how much you are prepared to spend. The development and technology costs for electronics, sensor, processor and all the peripheral bits and bobs have already been covered by the S2, now "all" they have to do is put most of it into a smaller body. Common components/technologies mean improved cost-effectiveness. And they already know what it has to cost on the market. Cheers Douglas Philippe AMARD wrote: > > > Lottermoser George wrote: > >> While the next digital R >> may turn out >> financially out of reach >> for many of us; >> so seem the highest end >> Hasselblad, Sinar, Canon and Nikon >> today. >> > George, my friend > sorry for me to say, but these are on the shelves. > Not the R10, and even less R11 which is plain stupid from them to > announce right now. > For the photographer, an L1 in the hand is well worth an R10 and 11 in > the blue print. > Amiti?s > Philippe > >> The fact that there is so much very good gear >> available at every price point, sensor size and type, etc. >> seems to make these cost issues moot. > > > >> In the end, I'm happy >> to have and use the Leica gear I have >> 99 percent of which I bought used >> >> I hope that their strategy >> continues to produce at the highest level of quality >> optically, mechanically, ergonomically and electronically >> and that I can continue to find >> relatively affordable used examples; >> as needed (or wanted). >> Even if it means 40 or 50 year old examples >> >> as an example of the Leica R strategy >> that has worked for me >> right up to this very minute >> I present my DMR with 135mm Elmar M (Panda like): >> <http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/imagist/visualize/L1003951.jpg.html> >> which produces images with a gorgeous visual signature. >> >> Fond regards, >> George >> >> george@imagist.com >> http://www.imagist.com >> http://www.imagist.com/blog >> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >> >> >> >> On Oct 19, 2008, at 3:29 PM, Steve Barbour wrote: >> >>> >>> On Oct 19, 2008, at 12:55 PM, Lottermoser George wrote: >>> >>>> I find it difficult to understand, >>>> given that you have an M8 >>>> current and vintage Leica lenses >>>> all of which have been >>>> at the top of their quality and price class, >>>> how Leica strategy, >>>> essentially the same as it has always been, >>>> will have nothing to do with you. >>> >>> >>> it's simply that this is their slr strategy George...(I use >>> R's...was waiting for the R digital) >>> >>> as it's their ultimate R plan, and includes the realistic >>> expectation that it will take a couple more years, and the end >>> result will be most likely untouchable financially ... >>> >>> Steve >>> >>>> I can understand that, >>>> if you've made the decision >>>> to simply use what you have >>>> for the rest of your natural life. >>>> If that is the case >>>> what conceivable Leica strategy >>>> would feel inclusive to you? >>>> >>>> However, others, who have yet to decide >>>> to move, seriously, into photography >>>> (as we all did at some point) >>>> will choose the highest quality, for their needs >>>> whatever system that may mean; >>>> including, possibly, Leica M, R or S systems. >>>> >>>> Fond regards, >>>> George >>>> >>>> george@imagist.com >>>> http://www.imagist.com >>>> http://www.imagist.com/blog >>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Oct 19, 2008, at 12:38 PM, Steve Barbour wrote: >>>> >>>>> But regarding equipment, as stated, I am sad that the strategy >>>>> that Leica is following will have nothing to do with me. While it >>>>> may work, it is very risky, especially in this tough >>>>> international economic climate, and it may well be a rocky road >>>>> to disaster for the company. >>>>> >>>>> I suspect that the S system, and quite possibly the R system too, >>>>> will be too rich for me, perhaps for many of us... >>>>> >>>>> so I find it prohibitive, even nonsensical, and the world >>>>> financial realities won't help it... >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >