[Leica] Re: Third world Leica

[lrzeitlin at optonline.net (Lawrence Zeitlin)]

On Dec 19, 2008, at 3:04 PM, A. Lal wrote:

> Alternatively, the current Leica company could set up its own  
> manufacturing
> facilities in a low-cost country, while maintaining current QC  
> standards.
>
> As I see it, Leica may be trying to follow the example the Swiss watch
> industry which has not been price sensitive in the recent past. I  
> do not
> believe this strategy will work. Leica need to find a way to reduce  
> prices
> significantly while retaining quality.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lawrence Zeitlin" <lrzeitlin@optonline.net>
> To: <lug@leica-users.org>
> Cc: "Lawrence Zeitlin" <lrzeitlin@optonline.net>
> Sent: Friday, 19 December, 2008 2:29 PM
> Subject: [Leica] Re: Unbelievable
>
>
>> If Leica couldn't find an overwhelming sympathetic audience in  
>> the  LUG,
>> it is unlikely to do so in the general camera using population.   
>> Leica's
>> plight is similar. on a much smaller scale, to that of the  U.S. auto
>> industry. Their best bet might be to ask for a bailout or  bridge  
>> loan
>> from the German government and, if they can't return to   
>> profitability
>> within six months, file for bankruptcy. Their best  strategy might  
>> be to
>> sell the Leica name, patents, and manufacturing  rights to one of the
>> Japanese camera giants. The precedent has been  set by Contax,
>> Voightlander, and scores of others. Then perhaps we  might have  
>> affordable
>> Leica cameras, although a bit plasticky.
>>
>> Larry Z


An interesting point. My Olympus E-Volt 500 DSLR was made in China  
and is up to the high standards of film Olympii made in Japan. The  
cost in constant dollars is about half that of the film model. There  
are some production shortcuts to be sure. The body is largely  
polycarbonate plastic although there is a metal frame inside. Leica  
could do the same, and in fact, has supported non-German production  
in the past. The CL was made in Japan, some Leica SLRs were made in  
Portugal, and lenses and Leica LTMs were made in Canada. How much of  
a stretch would it be to have a Leica made in Singapore, Mexico or  
Taiwan? OK, so it wouldn't be a German Leica. Big deal. As long as it  
takes good pictures and accepts Leica lenses, I'll be satisfied. To  
my mind Leica started its deviation from the true faith when they  
started making SLRs. Leica's only redeeming virtue was the Leica  
glass. And the lenses can be used on other cameras including the  
Minolta CLs, the RD-1 and the Bessas. Better act fast Leica. The much  
less expensive Panasonic 4/3 G-1 is on your tail. Better a Leica in  
production than a Leica in memory, even if die hards insist that it  
not a true "Leica."

What is the German equivalent of Chapter 11?

Larry Z