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Leica statement on film camera production


andybarton

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I take them at their word that the film cameras are still in production.

 

However these statements do not make sense:

 

"It also says that any visitors to Leica Camera's head-office in Germany can "see both analogue and digital models being produced," as confirmed by a film made last year at the Leica factory by L-Camera Forum."

 

How can a film made last year "confirm" that something is being produced today?

 

A year old film featuring Dennis Hopper would not confirm that he is alive today.

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Probably a translation/sentance structure issue.

 

What's being confirmed is a visitor is able to see camera production. I'm sure there are people who've been on the factory visit recently who could confirm, or otherwise that they saw film cameras being produced.

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There are so many Doubting Thomases on this forum, that unless they see something with their own eyes, they always seem to think that there is monumental consipracy going on, just to fool them.

 

Maybe I am incredibly naive, but when Leica say that they are still making film cameras, I believe them.

 

In a similar vein, this is of course, no different from when it was _rumoured_ that there was going to be an R10. I believed them when they said that it was no longer going to happen.

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I take them at their word that the film cameras are still in production.

 

However these statements do not make sense:

 

"It also says that any visitors to Leica Camera's head-office in Germany can "see both analogue and digital models being produced," as confirmed by a film made last year at the Leica factory by L-Camera Forum."

 

How can a film made last year "confirm" that something is being produced today?

 

A year old film featuring Dennis Hopper would not confirm that he is alive today.

 

Clearly they mean that 'yes we are making film cameras, if you visited the factory you would see them in production (as can also be seen in the film made last year by a visitor)' - by that I mean the situation now is as then, just that they haven't made a newer film, as nothing has changed.

 

Just to clarify for you, the film was made last year, it shows film cameras in production, that is the same today, no need for a new movie as nothing has changed.

 

Get it?

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Since Leica produces in batches, there's always room for someone to say "I was there and I didn't see any film cameras in production." Meaningless.

 

That video is L-Camera TV #1. We were all delighted when Andreas posted it. Nonetheless, it's disingenuous for BJP to link to it now as 'proof' that film cameras are currently in production.

 

The BJP article should cite sources (not just "Leica says").

 

There's no reason to doubt Leica's integrity in saying film cameras remain in production.

 

The Asahi article is the only problem element. How they could misreport a statement by Dr Kaufmann has been covered ad nauseam in the TOP article comments.

 

The one thing lacking is a retraction, clarification, apology, acknowledgment by Asahi.

 

It would be useful for Asahi to explain how the report came about, and particularly why a 30.05.2010 remark was first reported in English translation almost three months later and under such a provocative headline.

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Good grief, can't we just accept what Leica has said via BJP and leave it at that?

 

Clearly a German talking to a Japanese journo, being translated into Japanese and then into English as lead to some misunderstanding.

 

Or do we need to storm Solms and demand to see a worker make up a new MP to be satisfied, and petition for Kauffman to resign for allowing his remarks to be misinterpreted?

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Gee, James, that's rather an emotional response just to say that you and I agree. :p

 

You repeated most of what I said, and made the additional point that Leica can't be asked to respond to every rumor, though I was unaware of any recommendation that they do so. Thanks for the support! :)

 

 

One question: You seem to have more information than most of us. You say Dr Kaufmann's comments were "translated into Japanese and then into English." That would mean that the reporter (or at least the translator) of the Asahi article did not consult his original comments, which were reportedly in English, but worked entirely from a Japanese translation. Can you cite a source for that accusation?

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James, I honestly don't follow, but I've obviously rankled you, and I apologize.

 

The first four points I made were simply a summary of points already made in this thread. In the fifth, I mentioned the language difficulties involved, and pointed out they had already been covered.

 

Do you remember the "Iraq photographer disses M8" thread? Or the "50 Summilux is apochromatic" contention? The second one has been pretty well cleared up, but the first still pops up occasionally. As I said on TOP, this rumor would never have gained any credence if it had appeared on Leica Rumors. The only reason it had legs is that it came from a credible source. It's that source that should print an explanation.

 

You and I are on the same page. As I said above, there is no reason to think Leica has discontinued film camera production. But the rumor's source hasn't printed a correction so far as I know.

 

I'm lost, my friend. You use the word "journo," unfamiliar to me, but defined on several Web pages as 'corporate propagandist.' I don't see how that applies to an Asahi reporter. The term "that guy" is also unfamiliar in my idiolect.

 

Whatever I said that knocked you off kilter, I'm sorry you took it negatively. It certainly wasn't intended that way.

 

I tried to advance the argument from the emotional stance some have taken, but the attempt didn't take. Suum cuique.

 

So let's call it off, okay? :)

 

Thanks.

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Howard, I think that James was actually agreeing with you entirely and just being lighthearted there too. (at least that is my reading of it) "journo' just meaning journalist here at least too.

Group hug ?:)

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Guest maddoc2003jp

 

One question: You seem to have more information than most of us. You say Dr Kaufmann's comments were "translated into Japanese and then into English." That would mean that the reporter (or at least the translator) of the Asahi article did not consult his original comments, which were reportedly in English, but worked entirely from a Japanese translation. Can you cite a source for that accusation?

 

Did anybody of you guys meet the author of the Asahi article in person and discussed the issue with him ? Does anybody of you know about the author's ability to speak and understand English ?

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Did anybody of you guys meet the author of the Asahi article in person and discussed the issue with him ? Does anybody of you know about the author's ability to speak and understand English ?

 

Whatever he says is of no interest as Leica has commented already.

 

Do you expect a video by LUF every other day to prove and clear any doubts? Place an order for a brand new MP if you want to get real life confirmation for today.

 

Steve

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Guest maddoc2003jp
Whatever he says is of no interest as Leica has commented already.

 

Steve

 

... Leica ?? BJP is the official spokesman for the Leica Camera AG ? Thanks for the info !

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Thanks, Geoff! Sorry. Mea culpa. This is at least the third time I've been made aware that I had misunderstood James's humor. Sincere apologies. :o

 

My point is simply that any reputable news publication will normally publish a correction when it finds out that it published an error. Maybe Asahi is as untrustworthy as LeicaRumors?

 

Secondarily, as md2jp said: I'm simply curious about the course of events in the publishing of the article.

 

Whatever he says is of no interest as Leica has commented already....

Steve, with respect: Whether Leica is producing film cameras has already been decided IMO, though with some ends left untied. That's not the question I raised.

 

 

 

Dagnabbit, at least we're worried about how the rumor started instead of "where's the lens I ordered three months ago?" :rolleyes:

 

I know. I'll call my contacts at the NY Times and just mention in passing how sad it is to see Leica fail despite all Dr Kaufmann's efforts to revive the enterprise. :p

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el, thanks!

 

I had never before visited any twitter page, so your post introduced me to a new experience!

 

Somehow, unfortunately, I don't think even a post to the official Leica twitter account will convince those who don't want to be convinced. :)

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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