Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2009/08/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Edward, I think that sounds plausible. If you look at the service packages available, these may be related to that requirement. For example, replacement cameras are provided for and turnaround times specified according to the package selected. These S2 systems are certainly not going to be sitting in the average camera store. I'm not familiar with the detail of how Hasselblad, for example, does business at pro dealerships. Here in Australia Leica dealers have different classifications, with Authorised Dealers carrying the M system currently and B Dealers only compacts and binoculars etc. My local (Authorised) dealer is pro equipment oriented and tells me that he needs to keep the M8 in stock to maintain his categorisation but that he will not be able to afford to sell the S system at all owing to the S system stocking requirement (and potential customer base of course). There is one other Authorised dealer in this city and state. That one is extremely unlikely to stock the S sytem and is more consumer oriented. All of that means that this state with more than 4 million people is extremely unlikely to have any pro representation on any system. With about 20,000,000 Aussies I expect that there will be perhaps 2-4 dealerships total that may realistically contemplate stocking the S system. One each in the two largest capital cities probably. I think that it will be very interesting to see how many dealerships are set up across various countries. You would have to imagine that the current official Leica stores may be candidates. We may just have to jet off to Berlin or Tokyo to see these S cameras outside of the brochures! Unsurprising really, Leica hardly expects the average amateur to be be spending S system type money. Having said that I know of one amateur locally (no it is not me!) that does aim to buy one. It sounds like he won't be able to order it from a mere mortal dealer though. 2009/8/16 Edward Caliguri <ejcaliguri at comcast.net> > I believe that the problems associated with S2 dealers > may have been overlooked. From what I am hearing, US dealers, in order to > be an 'official S2 dealer', are required to have at least one Complete > System in their Rental Dept., as well as one Complete System in Stock at > all > times (defining a complete system is unclear to me, but I believe it is a > Body, and 3 lenses of different focal lengths, with or without leaf > shutters, grip, flash etc.) I understand their profit on each S2 body sale > will be around $1.5K - $2K. You can then rent a body and lens for about > $600 > a day. You'd better need that kind of equipment for your project at that > price! > > This seems a huge investment up front for all but the very large dealers > (such as B&H) and continues when/if stock has to be replenished. I wonder > how much this can change who carries what, with dealers then deciding 'do > we > carry Leica or Hasselblad?', because they cannot afford both. > > I don't know how true all this is, and why it is so, and wonder if it is > linked to stocking M9's, M8's - or whatever. If this is so, what will it > change for the consumer? > > Ed > > --------------------------- > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > -- Cheers Geoff Alles was eine gute Kamera braucht / Everything a good camera needs: http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/ http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman