[sungnee]

I have come to the conclusion, which Leica ought to have decades ago, is that Leica has become a victim of its own success. The M range finders, to be exact.

The M series was so good that:

1. people (I use this word here to mean the majority of ordinary masses) will not accept that any other company can do it just as good. Look at the failure of the Hexar.

2. people will not accept Leica can do anything just as good, look at the Leicaflex/R line

3. people will not accept any change, even the shape, look at the M5

4. people will not accept any Leica made outside Germany, no matter how much the knowledgeable ones tries to tell the public each time this subject comes up

5. people will not accept that Leica can make the transition to digital, look at the S1/DMR/M8.

6. people will not accept any kind of innovation, look at the resistance to auto focus.

In other words, the M has hijacked the Leica name. No, straight-jacketed it. I have seen this happen to other products/services.

If Leica Camera AG is to survive and prosper, I think it will have to create another brand name. One that does not remind people of the Leica name at all.

I know this is going to take a lot of guts, but honestly I don't see how else you can do it.

This post is addressed to Leica management, in the hope of starting/stimulating discussions and deliberations on this observation as a possible plan to rescue the company.