Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/08/19

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Subject: [Leica] Leica finances
From: jshulman at judgecrater.com (Jim Shulman)
Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:50:34 -0400
References: <CACcosUPo0WhoBUOVBBtapVe7bPKQywwu8gKQ6CH1cj2wRC2ONg@mail.gmail.com> <738684F2-4C6B-42D2-8070-430043CD6754@steveunsworth.co.uk> <CAF8hL-GMQq9i7ud5QYgSQpfgRdKOyRQK5NPKbrJHHrPKuYt+gw@mail.gmail.com> <012a01cc5e9d$35ea84a0$a1bf8de0$@earthlink.net> <CAF8hL-EGQ1R2Y6WmSM_PdMhgDzasesc1Joaz6Cu6dLJ2OnRmUw@mail.gmail.com> <003701cc5ec6$a03d9df0$e0b8d9d0$@earthlink.net> <20FC22A1-B767-4219-ADFA-A246BCA4C086@teleport.com> <002f01cc5ecd$f4d79ee0$de86dca0$@chiaroscuro.co.nz> <C959D33C-BA49-426D-8550-5EA2707071EA@teleport.com>

When I hear these stories about Leica's finances, speculations about the
real R&D costs, and the current backlog of orders, I'm reminded of an old
theatrical anecdote.  About 30 or so years ago, the late, great Ethel
Merman attended a performance of "Torch Song Trilogy".  Harvey Fierstein,
the author, heard that The Merm was in the audience, and sought her out
after the show.  When asked if she enjoyed it, Merman replied, "I thought
it was a piece of shit.  But the audience laughed and cried and applauded
like crazy, so what the fuck do I know?"

Leica cameras and lenses are ridiculously expensive, possibly cost a
fraction of the list price to manufacture, perhaps could be made cheaper
in Asia with different materials, and there's a huge backlog of orders, so
indeed what the fuck do I know?

Jim Shulman
Wynnewood, PA
Still shooting Merman/"Gypsy"-era Leica equipment.



-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
Mark Kronquist
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 8:15 PM
To: Leica Users Group
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica finances

How much R&D does Leica actually foot? I assume (I am a principal in a
manufacturing concern) the sensor and elecrtonics vendors help a great
deal....yes there are prototypes and such but...
On Aug 19, 2011, at 5:13 PM, John McMaster wrote:

> And how many to sell to overcome R&D costs?
>
> john
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> Way back in 1988 or 1989 there was a GUTSY MACWORLD OR MACUSER ARTICLE
ON
> WHAT IT REALLY COST TO MAKE A MACINTOSH SE which as I recall was the
better
> part of $2k at the time...the article said about $250...
>
> The gnomes in Solms are making a tidy profit at current prices....
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


_______________________________________________
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See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information


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