[Leica] What are the rumours around Leica and Photokina? WAS : Leica annual report

[montoid at earthlink.net (Montie Talbert)]

IMHO, Leica, utilizing "brand name and reputation", has taken the "Ferrari"
approach in marketing the S2.  Massive sales may not be the intent.  

They're trying to appeal to a select group of consumers in the top half 
of the economic food chain who buy things because..."It's the best money can 
buy", a group that may be a tad larger than some of us VW drivers realize.

Worldwide, there is probably a nice handfull of Pros who feel they will need
to purchase and use this system to maintain an "edge", as misguided as that 
may be. 

Montie 



>I claimed, many months ago, that the chief market for the S2 was rich 
amateurs....or, if you prefer  the PC words, well heeled photographers that 
are non-full-time-Professionals......

I have hendled an S2.  It was pretty fabulous as an experience in its own 
right.  Very nice.  I have seen Leica official marketing shots taken with 
the camera, which convinces me of nothing.  ( as a retired marketing person, 
I would pick scenes to show the best...and I bet Leica does the same....)  
But I can believe the optics are superb, and probably the sensor is good 
too.....  So I would grant the S2 may be pretty good....

But the thing costs $50K for a minor system.... who has that much disposable 
cash?  Working pros?  I doubt many have customers that really care the 
differences the optics can show off....and, more importantly, have clients 
that actually will pay for the images....  Amateurs?  sure.... 

Of course, there is the competitive thing, where Hasselblad already had 
market presence..... and others have joined the fray.....and upped the 
ante....

George asks the one question that is important.. is this camera financially 
a success?

And we have no idea....

There were 2200 DMR's made ( I think I have seen this number, but I have 
also seen the number of 1500).....

In perspective, a dribble even compared to the M9 production of 50-100 a 
day..........

So if they have not SOLD ( made makes no difference how many they have given 
away or loaned for the buzz, sold counts!) this many cameras at a retail 
level, it is a really poor showing......

And all that R+D was spent not developing what many of us want and would pay 
for, a camera that would use R optics.....

We will find out in the future if the S2 was viable in the market 
place.......... 

Frank, still hoping for an R10.....against all currrent info.....




>Do you (or anyone else) know how many S2 bodies have been made and/or sold?
>
>Has the number yet exceeded the number of DMRs manufactured?
>We may very well see the S2 system fail in the market place.
>or
>We may see it succeed and stimulate competition in its class.
>