Leica vs the rest

[Jeff S]

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I would not be surprised if camera manufacturers -Leica included- would bring Internet connectivity to their cameras, enabling facebook uploads, simplified tethering and Cloud backups directly from the camera (and simplifying service at the same time) - and soon.

 

This has already been stated by one of the Leica execs...just can't remember specifics at the moment and too lazy to search, but I definitely recall the statement that connectivity is forthcoming.

 

Boo....IMO.

 

Jeff

[k-hawinkler]

Why do that the hard way and reinvent stuff that's already available?

All one has to do is let a camera communicate wirelessly point to point with a smart phone.

The rest of the connectivity is already there.

[Stealth3kpl]

Why do that the hard way and reinvent stuff that's already available?

Exactly, plastic is fine. Who needs metal? Oh, you're not talking about the focus tabs are you?

Pete

[baci]

What are the positives?

 

Positives of being a niche player? Stronger brand loyalty, less pressure to be "more things to more people", enhanced customer intimacy, relative lack of price-based competition - that sort of thing. Customer relationships that are not based predominantly on price are in many ways the Holy Grail of brands. And yes, some brands do compete on price, but that's a strategic choice.

 

Leica competes on differentiation (rangefinder, lenses, etc), and occupies a niche that is not currently challenged (rangefinder, lenses, etc). "Is there a niche in the market?" is a good question. "Is there a market in the niche?" is the more important question. For Leica the answer to both questions seems (from the distance at which I'm observing things) to be "yes".

[AlanJW]

Leica brings something to the market that the others don't. Those little focus tabs on the lenses.

Pete

 

Others have tabs but Leica has Red Dots, Black Dots and No Dots.

 

Nobody else come close on dots.

 

(This makes as much sense as looking at P&L statements and share prices).

[tobey bilek]

Profits are down because there is a global recession. Many people who buy Nikon etc are middle class and can cut back on discretionary purchases. Real unemployment in the USA is 20%. Labor participation is only 58 %. 42% of eligible workers are not working.

 

But Leica, Rolls Royce, Louis Vition, Rolex, are high end products bought by rich people who do not not suffer ever.

 

Margret Thatcher once said liberalism works fine until the government runs out of other peoples money. We have reached that point.

 

The big banks are back up to their old money making tricks again and profits are up for them putting the fragile economy at risk again and we have not even recovered.

 

The rich have money again and Leica has a product they desire. So that explains things pretty well I think.