Dr. Kaufmann on Leica

[jaapv]

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I found the link on the German side:

 

„Entscheidend ist, die Marge bleibt“ « WirtschaftsBlatt.at

 

Some of us will need Google Translate, I fear it is in German.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Rick]

Nice article. Thanks jaapv. Lot's of growing pains for this wonderful company. People complain about not being able to get a sensor for few weeks or about production of LCDs... and I'm just hoping they can continue to be innovative and provide wonderful alternative technology to contrast with the bland gravy that everyone else serves us. Thank you Andreas Kaufmann.

[pico]

Good article, and it points to the danger of a sustaining model company who moves into disruptive technological territory. Leica absolutely must maintain the rangefinder technology, and add to it as they wish to with the new M. Limits are important. I believe they must come up with a whole new RF technology. Copying or emulating the existing alternatives will not work because it has been done.

 

Oh, the Google translation was just terrible. I had to translate to French to understand it.

[NZDavid]

Interesting, not too surprising.

 

Leica doesn't want to be a mass market player. It is targeting serious photographers (those who use SLRs or mirrorless system cameras).

 

Mobile camera phones cannot compete on quality and are not system cameras. There may be some options for integrating mobile technology but on different lines to Samsung.

 

Price is not that important. (Easy for Kaufmann to say that, being one of the richest men in Europe, but price is an important issue for many existing and potential buyers around the world.)

 

Leica shops are an important part of the company's strategy. (Well, we don't have any in New Zealand and there aren't even any in Australia. So a boutique market for only some countries then? How about support for traditional dealers?)

 

Leica now has the freedom to specify sensor design.

 

Leica wants to produce cameras that surprise. The M Monochrom surprised, though many people didn't get it. (I still think its market is infinitesimal, sub-niche.)

 

My view is that Leica needs very much to concentrate on its core values: good design and engineering, simplicity, concentration on the essentials, best possible performance, especially optics, robustness and reliability.

 

It would be also unwise of Leica to assume price does not matter for serious photographers. Just being different for the sake of it by producing a sub-niche camera is not a brilliant strategy.

 

Leica cannot just rely on past glories and reputation.

[k_g_wolf ✝]

>> David

 

A meaningful comment, thx.

 

 

Regards

GEORG

[Messsucherkamera]

Leica M and S cameras and lenses are prohibitively costly for some (perhaps many) serious photographers. Unfortunately, new pieces of M kit are that way for me these days.

 

Adding a new (or even a used) lens or body to my M kit requires thought, planning and sacrifice - but when the opportunity to add to my M kit presents itself under the right circumstances, I will make those sacrifices.

 

If we did only those things which are "practical" and "common-sense," life would be a decades long unbearably desolate slog through the muck of mediocrity, stripped bare of any form of joy, passion or fulfillment - ending with a tumble into a waiting grave.

 

I think I'll pass on that offer.

[Richardgb]

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Interesting, not too surprising.

<snip>

Leica wants to produce cameras that surprise. The M Monochrom surprised, though many people didn't get it. (I still think its market is infinitesimal, sub-niche.)

<snip>

 

Small, yes, but Leica created the M Monochrom out of existing parts, very little new about it (an M9 sensor minus Bayer grid, and revised top plate). Thus it probably 'cost' them very little, but it gained them some publicity - dare I say kudos - for maintaining their appeal to high-end photographers rather than those who simply have the money.

[wattsy]

The Monochrom appears to have been a mini triumph and I suspect Leica are selling all that they can make. Which is just as well because the discontinuation of the M9/M9P in favour of the moderately less expensive M-E doesn't seem to have worked so well and the M 240 still remains months away from being available to buy.

[jaapv]

As I understand it the development was not so cheap that the introduction was without risk. I guess there is something more involved than ordering a sensor...

[IWC Doppel]

Can't seem to work my translation on my iPad, but....

 

I do hope Leica innovate in a more fundamental way, if they can mirror the ergonomic functionality of apple (less so today IMO) then this will match a leading vision.

 

From my perspective the simplicity of the Lecia M is its strength and of course the image quality, that is a given requirement.

 

I hope we will see ;

 

1. A beautifully integrated viewfinder that is part mechanical engineering, part electronics but essentially delivers a large real view for all lens lengths.(not stuck on top)

2. Lighter weight with different materials, but only where it is a win, win.

3. Modularity reducing model redundancy in part.

4. Bespoking in terms of spec, we are well used to this with other expensive items (eg cars), not at silly prices but a genuine build to order offering (we may be happier to wait the times we already wait for delivery if it feels personal)

5. A Leica sensor from the ground up (what about a square sensor and we choose format ?)

 

My iPad had now split the keypad, something I didn't want or intentionally ask for..... Apple peaked in focus 3-5 years ago IMO !

[stunsworth]

My iPad had now split the keypad, something I didn't want or intentionally ask for..... Apple peaked in focus 3-5 years ago IMO !

 

With the keyboard visible press and hold the key with a keyboard icon on it at the bottom right. That will allow you to merge and dock the keyboard. You must have accidentally selected this earlier for the keyboard to have been split - it doesn't just split of its own accord.

[Stealth3kpl]

My view is that Leica needs very much to concentrate on its core values: good design and engineering, simplicity, concentration on the essentials, best possible performance, especially optics, robustness and reliability.

.

 

I would add customer service to that list. I know of one chap who, despite enjoying his M7, will not consider a digital M as Leica (Italy) haven't the decency to respond to his enquiry regarding the little rubber thing that goes around the viewfinder eye piece for the X1. He's currently looking at Fuji all for the sake of an ignored email.

Pete

[hoppyman]

Pete your friend has odd priorities in my view

One unanswered email would cause him to buy a different brand of camera despite his being happy with his M7??

[tobey bilek]

I would add customer service to that list. I know of one chap who, despite enjoying his M7, will not consider a digital M as Leica (Italy) haven't the decency to respond to his enquiry regarding the little rubber thing that goes around the viewfinder eye piece for the X1. He's currently looking at Fuji all for the sake of an ignored email.

Pete

 

cut off nose to spite face !