Leica interview on Q3 etc.

[SrMi]

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Phototrend published an interview with Leica. It is in French, but Chrome has a translation option in the menu (three dots on the right, in the menu bar).

https://phototrend.fr/2024/10/interview-leica-salon-de-la-photo-2024/

It is worth reading the whole interview, but here are the key points:

- Leica occupies less than 2% of the photo market. The main markets are quite balanced in terms of sales.

- A monochrome model could well be in the pipeline.

- Leica explains the 43mm Panasonic patent. I read that it is a consequence of sharing lens know-how with Panasonic.

- "While Panasonic might hold patents, they lack certain specificities like apochromatic lenses, which make all the difference in image quality" (read more in the interview).

- Q3 is emerging as the best-selling model.

[LocalHero1953]

3 hours ago, SrMi said:

Leica explains the 43mm Panasonic patent. I read that it is a consequence of sharing lens know-how with Panasonic.

 

I'd like to know more about this (not just the Q lenses, but also the 90-280SL, for example, which is a Panasonic patent). I have always thought that the story of lens patents was more complex than the cynical "Leica's lenses are only Panasonic designs" as is sometimes written in this forum. The explanation about the early co-operation of Leica and Panasonic over broadcast/video lenses is interesting.

I would also like to hear from Francophone colleagues about the manufacture of the Q3 43 lens: is it actually 'made in Japan', or just 'it could as easily have been made in Japan'? The Google and Deepl translations are unclear; my own French suggests the original is unclear as well, but I could be wrong!

Of course the French head of Leica Akademie will not be the most deeply involved in future product strategy and releases, but it is still interesting to hear about the prospective Q Monochrom (28 or 43?) and apparent satisfaction with the market performance of SL (a balanced triangle between M, Q and SL, with Q clearly ahead). 

What was missing: a future S; a Q3 longer than 43mm; SL3-S; a CL replacement*.

 

*Edit: I'm sure Leica now sees the Q as the CL replacement in the market, if not functionally. 

Edited October 27, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Kozonoh]

To answer your question : it is « could be »… But impossible to know if it means that he doesn’t know, or that it would not change anything.

 

 

[MikeD70]

"Q3 is emerging as the best-selling model."

I assume this would be aided by the introduction of the 43, and not the 28 alone?  If a monochrome version is added, I'm sure the 3 3's would push the group over the top in their sales.

[LocalHero1953]

I suspect the Q3 43 has been launched because the Q is already the best selling model, and hasn't caused it to be the best seller in the first place. The Q3 43 has only been out a month. I don't doubt the Q range will remain its best seller though, and that will drive investment in new versions e.g. monochrom of both FLs

Edited October 27, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[bobtodrick]

Though Leica accounts for a small part of overall camera sales, what is just (or more) important is that for the last few years it has been the most profitable brand on their sales.  You can sell a gazillion whatever’s…if you’re not making a healthy profit that’s not good.

[Simone_DF]

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21 minutes ago, AussieQ said:

But...........are the Q models made in Germany?

It depends. I don't know about Germany, but some countries grant the "made in" label if an item met a certain percentage of assembly and/or production in that country. So, for example, the lens or part of the body could be sourced from other countries, but when the final product is out of the factory in country X, it will still be considered Made in X if the minimum requirements are met.

[Le Chef]

3 hours ago, AussieQ said:

But...........are the Q models made in Germany?

Yes. Check the body of any Q and you will find a “Made in Germany” stamp.

[SrMi]

3 hours ago, AussieQ said:

But...........are the Q models made in Germany?

Define what you mean by “made in Germany.” There are official rules what can be called “Made In XXX.” According to those rules (whatever they are), Q-s are Made In Germany.

[Tseg]

2 hours ago, SrMi said:

Define what you mean by “made in Germany.” There are official rules what can be called “Made In XXX.” According to those rules (whatever they are), Q-s are Made In Germany.

"However, German courts have ruled that products with this label must at least be assembled in Germany. And more than half of the parts used should also come from Germany."

 

https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/business/made-in-germany-where-it-comes-from-and-what-it-means

[LocalHero1953]

27 minutes ago, AussieQ said:

Has anyone here visited Wetzler and actually seen the Q series cameras in production? Leica have videos online showcasing the M series assembly stages but having footage of a Q in assembly is like having a photo of a Unicorn....it does not exist.

I have neither visited Wetzlar, nor seen any videos of any cameras being made in Wetzlar. Does that mean Leica doesn't make any cameras in Germany?😏. And if an Australian furniture store tells porkies, does that mean Leica does?

And before anyone posts a video of cameras being made in Wetzlar (a) I am sure they are, and that the Q is made there according to German law and (b) frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

Edited October 28, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Le Chef]

And the Swiss make watches in Switzerland. 

[Olaf_ZG]

1 hour ago, Le Chef said:

And the Swiss make watches in Switzerland. 

Knowing how punctual Italians are, I certainly hope they aren’t made in Italy. Japan would be fine though…,

[SrMi]

8 hours ago, AussieQ said:

Has anyone here visited Wetzler and actually seen the Q series cameras in production? Leica have videos online showcasing the M series assembly stages but having footage of a Q in assembly is like having a photo of a Unicorn....it does not exist. Why? Are they manufactured in Asia? Where I live a furniture store come under fire for their advertising Italian made furniture for years, turns out they got found out. Though the furniture looked Italian in style and design, it was actually getting manufactured in Asia but labelled as Made in Italy.

The Made in Italy added a nice premium price addition to the product when the truth was far from.

Check post #11 for minimum rules that allow "Made in Germany" on a product. We can assume that Leica follows the law.

[Simone_DF]

But does it really matter?

To me what matters is that it’s an outstanding camera, and anyway Panasonic won’t make their own version, so it’s not like there’s an alternative version on the market, like for some L mount lenses 

[LocalHero1953]

7 minutes ago, Simone_DF said:

But does it really matter?

To me what matters is that it’s an outstanding camera, and anyway Panasonic won’t make their own version, so it’s not like there’s an alternative version on the market, like for some L mount lenses 

I agree (and Panasonic haven't made a 90-280 either). Since I may have spurred this subthread about origin with my question about where the lens was made, my interest was curiosity about the cooperation between Panasonic and Leica and lens design/manufacture.

As to where the Q is made, my lack of concern is shown by not having looked at my Q2 for a label of origin until now.