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Info snippet from LFI


spylaw4

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In the latest LFI (6/2009) in the "New stores" article one finds this little gem of information, which could relate to the fevered topics of the last few months. I'm posting it in this forum section as it could refer to almost any product, although I have a sneaking suspicion that we all might know what's coming. ;) But there could be other surprises in store!

 

Quote: "The Leica S2 flagship project is right on schedule, closely tailed by a small fleet of unheralded premium products soon to grace these pages."

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Unheralded premium products list:

1 Mega-frankenfinder 15, 18, 21, 24, 28, 35, 50, 75, 90, 135, 200

2 Undecalux M f/1 15 -18 - 21 - 24 - 28 - 35 - 50 - 75 - 90 - 135 - 200 mm AA (you need item 1 as this lens blocks the rangefinder)

3) M9 with image stabiliser & optional hydraulic jack with designer box

 

Anything I missed?

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While we're reading things into this, perhaps premium products refers to things considerably more Leica-like than P&S cameras from their Japanese partner.

 

I would think that that is a reasonable assumption, Stuart. ;)

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Leica's customers are just into the M part!

Agree,

disregarding the P&S low-end Japan-made camera's to give your partners ;), there seems to be only one segment left – the M-series.

 

 

 

This implies the traditional segments are to be regained quickly, and hopefully for Leica AG this includes some fast moving consumer goods. The S2 is way out of the traditional footprint, good to make an impression of quality, but a slow mover, and financially complicated to enter.

 

What I'd really like is a strategic line-up , in an MBA.

 

The M-Bayonet Association. Now companies are competing, while the market is reducing. This is killing. Only by uniting roadmaps there will be a road ahead.

In the past, holding on to patents (e.g. in our case the M-bayonet) looked commercially sane, but in a modern economy this does not make sense.

 

Next to a promise of a flurry of new products, I'd also like information on a strategy that unites the industry.

 

This does not imply choosing for 3/4 like some thought a few years back (Lee?), but if some manufacturer wishes to go that way, and supplement the portfolio, fine. Want to offer live view with a M-bayonet, go ahead. Want an eViewfinder, have your try. Electronic framelines, fine. Digital RF, beautiful. But please share knowhow!

 

The market is now sort of separate, where several camera manufactures, and lens manufacturers like Zeiss, CV and Leica are competing (while some have marvelous lenses) to the detriment of all.

In marketing, the market is dwindling, the product looks like being at the end of the PLC. The market now is S, not even M (to make a pun on the S/M and L/XL). Only by having a new grasp, will the market grow again. There are quite some wary DSL owners who see the better quality of the little camera’s but they can’t adopt their habits to this ‘older’ RF technology.

 

Why don't the traditional RF camera's all go digital?

 

Why is Zeiss not offering (completely) M8-compatible lenses? Why can't we, the users, choose? The result: lower demand, frightened shops not wanting to have a stale area on the shelves. Shops that don’t want a risk of trade-ins. I have to ask shops to order and sell. While meanwhile the eBay market for Leica gear seems to be rigged. It is ridicoulous to see a Summilux-35 from 1960 offered for € 1.250, or a Elmarit 21 mm from 1985, pre-asph for € 1.800, much more than the price paid for it at that time. Conversely, this does not help selling new lenses.

 

 

So amidst this turmoil, we need a clear industry statement. If some await the introduction of the M9 on 9/9/09, and others wait for the dR10 on 10/10/10, I’d rather have a statement of direction sooner than wait for one on 11/11/11 at a press conference at 11 in the morning – a date in the future that will only fit a fool (this date is chosen as it is the day to start Carnaval in our country, a time everyone can be a fool for a few days).

 

alberti

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Alberti I don't quite follow all of your post there. The industry does not work together or make joint statements unless it is something like the Four Thirds group for example.

It makes no business sense for Leica, Zeiss and Cosina to NOT compete. What is it that you are suggesting?

Zeiss and Cosina can enter the digital rangefinder market if they choose and are able and willing to design and sell a competing product. The M mount itself is usable by anyone now. They could also design their own if they thought people would buy it.

Zeiss and Cosina do not have the 6 BIT coding on their lenses because Leica invented it and owns the patent. Why would Leica give their property to potential competitors?

For whatever reasons Zeiss and Cosina are not making digital rangefinders. It is a very narrow niche to sell cameras in.

 

I don't know how you think that eBay is somehow rigged to keep certain prices high?

eBay would have to be the most obvious example of free market supply and demand you could find. Customers either are prepared to pay xx or they are not. If sellers prices are too high, people just won't pay.

 

Really Leica is a special case where collectibility or impressions or whatever can distort prices. Some customers will pay for rarity or something in mint condition or whatever. Others want the technically best or their favourite or whatever.

As for the dates, there is a lot of speculation. That is all it is. No-one knows what future announcements Leica may make except Leica. Stefan Daniel already told us that they are aware of what people want in the M9, that it is technically difficult to have full frame with M lenses and that they are closer but not yet at a point where they can announce a camera tomorrow. That seems pretty reasonable to me.

Keep your fingers crossed and hope that Leica can give you new things when they can get them to market!

 

Agree,

......

 

The market is now sort of separate, where several camera manufactures, and lens manufacturers like Zeiss, CV and Leica are competing (while some have marvelous lenses) to the detriment of all.

In marketing, the market is dwindling, the product looks like being at the end of the PLC. The market now is S, not even M (to make a pun on the S/M and L/XL). Only by having a new grasp, will the market grow again. There are quite some wary DSL owners who see the better quality of the little camera’s but they can’t adopt their habits to this ‘older’ RF technology.

 

Why don't the traditional RF camera's all go digital?

 

Why is Zeiss not offering (completely) M8-compatible lenses? Why can't we, the users, choose? The result: lower demand, frightened shops not wanting to have a stale area on the shelves. Shops that don’t want a risk of trade-ins. I have to ask shops to order and sell. While meanwhile the eBay market for Leica gear seems to be rigged. It is ridicoulous to see a Summilux-35 from 1960 offered for € 1.250, or a Elmarit 21 mm from 1985, pre-asph for € 1.800, much more than the price paid for it at that time. Conversely, this does not help selling new lenses.

 

 

So amidst this turmoil, we need a clear industry statement. If some await the introduction of the M9 on 9/9/09, and others wait for the dR10 on 10/10/10, I’d rather have a statement of direction sooner than wait for one on 11/11/11 at a press conference at 11 in the morning – a date in the future that will only fit a fool (this date is chosen as it is the day to start Carnaval in our country, a time everyone can be a fool for a few days).

 

alberti

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