Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Someone who was once involved with Leica told me that the delay in launching new models by Leica is mainly due to two facts:

 

1. Leica is facing severe financial crisis and due to above reason they have a problem in starting a new production line very often unlike Japs. That’s why 24MP sensor even in new launches; I find this a bit credulous as sensor technology has really advanced with BSI sensors now ruling the roost with higher megapixels but Leica is not able to use them.

This is really a catch22 situation for Leica as volumes can go up only when the prices come down and higher volumes are necessary to really keep innovating. On other hand Leica has always been a premium line and marks up higher profits on smaller volumes to keep itself going.

 

2. Due to above reason they allow lot of time to their dealers to liquidate the existing stocks before launching a new one.

 

I don’t know whether this is true but I would like Leica to keep running and keep selling.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Someone who was once involved with Leica told me that the delay in launching new models by Leica is mainly due to two facts:

 

1. Leica is facing severe financial crisis and due to above reason they have a problem in starting a new production line very often unlike Japs. That’s why 24MP sensor even in new launches; I find this a bit credulous as sensor technology has really advanced with BSI sensors now ruling the roost with higher megapixels but Leica is not able to use them.

This is really a catch22 situation for Leica as volumes can go up only when the prices come down and higher volumes are necessary to really keep innovating. On other hand Leica has always been a premium line and marks up higher profits on smaller volumes to keep itself going.

 

2. Due to above reason they allow lot of time to their dealers to liquidate the existing stocks before launching a new one.

 

I don’t know whether this is true but I would like Leica to keep running and keep selling.

 

 

It was true in 2000-2006, but I don't think it is true at all at present. Leica is backed by substantial investors and has been making solid profits for a number of years,

 

 

 

Yes … unless the 'someone who was once involved … ' is still involved, the 'someone' does not have have any credibility. 

 

dunk 

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

My point is that video and still will converge in the near future, especially when video output can be raw (8K?) as you say. I would like Leica to lead rather than follow.

I agree with you, with the caveat that Leica was leading when the SL came out. They dropped the ball by not supporting ACES workflow for L-log (something which probably only matters to professional videographers, but it's kept Leica from being considered a serious video solution).

My hope is that they will lead again when the next SL comes out. What they need to do is fairly clear, from my distant viewpoint: support ACES, provide a way to record RAW video (hopefully in-camera), fix some minor usability issues (especially the microphone input), and improve video performance overall (faster frame rates, UHD using the full sensor width as an option).

 

I really don't think that Leica are far from the market leaders right now. Some of the changes will require new hardware, but they could support ACES right now if they wanted. This is especially odd since they have released some excellent cine lenses. The M 0.8 lenses are almost price-competitive for smaller operators, and their more expensive lenses have been featured in major cinema releases.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree with you, with the caveat that Leica was leading when the SL came out. They dropped the ball by not supporting ACES workflow for L-log (something which probably only matters to professional videographers, but it's kept Leica from being considered a serious video solution).

My hope is that they will lead again when the next SL comes out. What they need to do is fairly clear, from my distant viewpoint: support ACES, provide a way to record RAW video (hopefully in-camera), fix some minor usability issues (especially the microphone input), and improve video performance overall (faster frame rates, UHD using the full sensor width as an option).

 

I really don't think that Leica are far from the market leaders right now. Some of the changes will require new hardware, but they could support ACES right now if they wanted. This is especially odd since they have released some excellent cine lenses. The M 0.8 lenses are almost price-competitive for smaller operators, and their more expensive lenses have been featured in major cinema releases.

You come in from the video side and I come from the still photography side, yet our interests run parallel. Leica should consider this aspect.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

The Leica SL was the first SLR camera to offer 10-bit log recording to an external recorder. Not Sony, not Panasonic, definitely not Nikon. Leica isn't behind, they established the benchmark. Nikon is just now catching-up.

.

The SL has no significant market share. Thats why even dpreview does not mention it when comparing the new Nikon with other mirrorless cameras. Leica does not generate enough clicks to finance dpreview.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

You come in from the video side and I come from the still photography side, yet our interests run parallel. Leica should consider this aspect.

When I need more than 12Pic/s I already used Cinema 4K at 24fps. Unfortunately no full frame and no DNG.

Link to post
Share on other sites

The SL has no significant market share. Thats why even dpreview does not mention it when comparing the new Nikon with other mirrorless cameras. Leica does not generate enough clicks to finance dpreview.

 

 

If DPReview was a serious website, caring about information and journalism, they would not omit the SL from a mirrorless comparison - market share or not. Too bad they aren't.

 

Best regards,

 

Vieri

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

DPReview is owned by Amazon. People don't buy Leicas from Amazon. The cheapest SL on Amazon Canada right now is $2,000 more than the dealer price!

 

 

Why wouldn't I buy Leicas from Amazon? I've bought cameras, lenses and accessories from Amazon before. Why not? 

Link to post
Share on other sites

DPReview is owned by Amazon. People don't buy Leicas from Amazon. The cheapest SL on Amazon Canada right now is $2,000 more than the dealer price!

I didn't know that Amazon owns dpreview. The conflict of interest is evident.

 

A serious review website should publish its financel structure.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I suspect it’s also not in Leica’s interest now that their gear is featured prominently in dpreview articles. Because of Amazon’s 1-Click ordering option they can’t make the 75 Noctilux fast enough.

Exactly, why sell to impatient customers with money to burn.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the coverage of Leicas has been fair. When Leica releases something with appeal beyond its dedicated following, the review outlets have historically responded very quickly. Think back to the days of the M9 when it was Leica rather than a major manufacturer who proved that full frame sensors could fit in small bodies (the major manufacturers had claimed it was an impossible engineering problem to solve). All the major outlets covered the M series extensively after that, even though it was very, very far outside the budget most of their readers/viewers could afford.

 

The problem now is the market has changed. All the stuff (specs-wise, if not in terms of mojo) Leica can give, other manufacturers give in greater quantity at much more modest prices. There are more products now which are roughly in Leica's ballpark for the non-connoiseur, and the review outlets have to prioritize their reviews. It's only logical that Leica goes to the end of the line.

 

I am confident that if Leica finds an opportunity to innovate on behalf of the industry again, the reviews will come.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...