redfalo Posted March 10, 2008 Author Share #41 Posted March 10, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Wow, this is really amazing. I´m working as a journalist for more than 15 years but I never got as much feedback on a story. (Not even half of this, in fact...) Thanks for all those nice comments or, in German: Danke für die Blumen. Regarding Alex questions: We did not talk about the flagship stores or Leicas relationship to the retailers at all. I had the renaming of "Leica bei Meister" in mind but time was running out. Actually most of the stuff we talked about is actually in the interview. Regarding the lawsuit or the sacking of Lee Kaufmann did not say anything more than the stuff quoted in the interview. My impression was the he really felt pretty relaxed about the issue. I got the feeling that they have some strong stuff against Lee. I tried to get to know more but Kaufmann declined to comment. I was quite impressed how close Kaufmann with regard to his products. For example, he wanted to know the serial number of my M8. He seems to have in mind the point of time when which serial numbers was produced... Another funny detail is that he has 2 (!) magnifiers screwed on his M8 which carried an canadian Lux 75/1,4. His D-Lux 3 looks like it has already seen the Vietnam war... Yours Olaf Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 10, 2008 Posted March 10, 2008 Hi redfalo, Take a look here Interview with Andreas Kaufmann on Handelsblatt.com. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted March 10, 2008 Share #42 Posted March 10, 2008 Wow, this is really amazing. I´m working as a journalist for more than 15 years but I never got as much feedback on a story. (Not even half of this, in fact...) Well, put a workmanlike and well-reasoned interview in front of an interested and knowlegeable audience and that is what you get - a sense of relief after all speculative and ignorant press efforts we have seen in the past year.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdai Posted March 10, 2008 Share #43 Posted March 10, 2008 Another funny detail is that he has 2 (!) magnifiers screwed on his M8 which carried an canadian Lux 75/1,4. Well, the Canadian version is better than the German version. LOL I hope their next upgrade is the viewfinder magnification ... I want a 1.0. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodor Heinrichsohn Posted March 10, 2008 Share #44 Posted March 10, 2008 Wow, this is really amazing. I´m working as a journalist for more than 15 years but I never got as much feedback on a story. (Not even half of this, in fact...) Thanks for all those nice comments or, in German: Danke für die Blumen. I was quite impressed how close Kaufmann with regard to his products. For example, he wanted to know the serial number of my M8. He seems to have in mind the point of time when which serial numbers was produced... Another funny detail is that he has 2 (!) magnifiers screwed on his M8 which carried an canadian Lux 75/1,4. His D-Lux 3 looks like it has already seen the Vietnam war... Yours Olaf I read the interview in English and German, just to make sure that I got all the points clear in my mind. Thanks for the right questions asked. I feel that more explicit answers could not be expected from Mr. Kaufmann at this stage. In any case, the statements put my mind at rest as far as the M8 is concerned. It seems that the Leica R- system's detailed plans are not yet ripe and I understand that under these circumstances, Mr. Kaufmann would have been rash to say more than he did. I do plan to visit the Photokina and trust that more will become clear at that time. Best wishes and thanks again, Teddy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aXs Posted March 10, 2008 Share #45 Posted March 10, 2008 Olaf, Leica flagship-store LEICA BERLIN (and Leica bei Meister), Tokyo and Paris: ...I´m working as a journalist for more than 15 years but I never got as much feedback on a story... Regarding Axel Sanders (aXs) questions: We did not talk about the flagship stores or Leicas relationship to the retailers at all... I had the renaming of "Leica bei Meister" in mind but time was running out...Yours Olaf So Olaf, why not just republish this email as a "letter to the editor" to the Handelsblatt newspaper and then reply to these questions after calling up Andreas Kaufmann for his reply? Just go to http://www.google.com and search: LEICA BERLIN - then you'll see what I mean. Same goes for Leica sponsored M8 art projects in Flagship-stores 2007 and related events Axel Axel Sanders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 10, 2008 Share #46 Posted March 10, 2008 Good grief. Some people are never satisfied...! Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthury Posted March 10, 2008 Share #47 Posted March 10, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) So, Kauffman said that if we have problems with the Service Dept. "turn to the Dept Manager". Who is the dept. manager of the Leica USA ? That information is not in their website! Doh! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted March 10, 2008 Share #48 Posted March 10, 2008 Give them a call and ask. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 10, 2008 Share #49 Posted March 10, 2008 Give them a call and ask. ...after all, that's what we used to do back in those dim days before the interweb... Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 10, 2008 Share #50 Posted March 10, 2008 This was an excellent interview. It asks the right questions right now, and the answers are very good. YOU are HIM !!! catched... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted March 10, 2008 Share #51 Posted March 10, 2008 LOL, I agree Microsoft cannot develop 50 state-of-the-art products every year. Windows Vista, anyone? :D:D Not even one in 50 years… Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolo Posted March 10, 2008 Share #52 Posted March 10, 2008 Give them a call and ask. ... with a Jack Bauer whisper..... "Stunsworth .... is that you AK? Rolo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted March 10, 2008 Share #53 Posted March 10, 2008 I'd rather not comment Rolo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 10, 2008 Share #54 Posted March 10, 2008 Well, a very frank interview. I am certainly reassured that Leica are in control of things and its very interesting that Dr Kauffman takes an active role on this forum - its nice to think that some of the suggestions and ideas we have here are taken into consideration. Of course Leica would be foolish not to make use of this kind of feedback but it's not a given in any company! One point that he made regarding the cost of providing IR filters to M8 buyers. I said it then and I still think, Leica failed to communicate their rationale behind the design and it cost them badly. IF they had explained before the camera was released, that they opted for a certain design of sensor to acheive the best quality etc., BUT that a factor of this was the issue with IR, and that users may need to use IR cut filters for some situations, then it would not have been anything like the issue it was and Leica would have over 2M euro on their bottom line. It's called managing your customers expectations, something that they don't do very well IMO but lets hope they get it right next time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted March 10, 2008 Share #55 Posted March 10, 2008 One point that he made regarding the cost of providing IR filters to M8 buyers. I said it then and I still think, Leica failed to communicate their rationale behind the design and it cost them badly. IF they had explained before the camera was released, that they opted for a certain design of sensor to acheive the best quality etc., BUT that a factor of this was the issue with IR, and that users may need to use IR cut filters for some situations, then it would not have been anything like the issue it was and Leica would have over 2M euro on their bottom line. I said the same thing myself. They must have been aware of the issue when the camera was released. An announcement at the time of the launch with an explanation of the reasons for needing filters would have been better than saying nothing at all. But that's hindsight, and it's ground that we've covered over and over again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted March 10, 2008 Share #56 Posted March 10, 2008 I actually never even think about it anymore. There on and not a issue and actually my real glass is better for it. I don't use lens caps on all my lenses just hoods. Nice to see my Leica lenses still pristine looking Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mym6is12 Posted March 10, 2008 Share #57 Posted March 10, 2008 If Andreas Kaufmann reads this forum, he should at least move to replace what might be considered IR purple images from their main M8 flash page. I can't be sure, but I have doubts that purple is such a popular colour with the Brixton youth as say black. "Quality control "on location" ?" - is that a rhetorical question or just a question ? I should have been convinced to but a M8 long ago, but that's still not happened. [ M6x2, 28f/2 ASPH, 35 f/1.4 ASPH, 50f/1.4 ASPH ] Lots invested in M lenses, yet I don't buy in to the M8 - what chance new users. Was Lee taking the risky policy of pushing the board, by public embarrassment, to commit to a M9 launch at Photokina for sales early 2009 ? 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/47502-interview-with-andreas-kaufmann-on-handelsblattcom/?do=findComment&comment=506876'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 10, 2008 Share #58 Posted March 10, 2008 I actually never even think about it anymore. There on and not a issue Guy, my point is that Leica could have avoided paying out for all of those IR filters. We all want the company to be profitable so they can invest in new products don't we. OK, all the M8 customers got a couple of free filters but it was an unecessary expense from a business point of view. If buyers knew the facts in advance then it wouldn't have been an issue - they were given away to placate disappointed customers after all. Hindsight is great of course as Steve points out. And yes, they should take those photos off the website! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted March 10, 2008 Share #59 Posted March 10, 2008 I know what your saying and in hindsight they certainly could have handled it better, no question. Just now after all this time for me at least it is a moot point. I just shoot and not worry about it. Can't go back and won't go back. Time to move forward. I still love the system but i am always looking . Actually selling my 5d and getting Nikon to do the other work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyj Posted March 10, 2008 Share #60 Posted March 10, 2008 Olaf, Great interview. Well phrased questions. I can't help but appreciate and like Kauffman. He has the true grit of a world class businessman and its apparent in the interview. I worked for the intelligence community for many years and was responsible for evaluating technical live "interviews" from time to time. Lee, I never liked from the interviews that I read. I would not be surprised if he over-hyped himself and found his abilities a little lacking. I would not be surprised either, if the financials didn't match the words and some shoring up of financial data was taking place. I've always found the maxim: "Never lie when you can tell the truth" and its corollary: "When in doubt, tell the truth" to be good advice when working with the Kauffmans of the world. Oh, I'd love, just love to be doing the computer forensic analysis on Lee's computer right now. People just don't realize how their lives just flow from the hard drives, giving away so many little secrets. And I bet Lee has got secrets. I think that Kauffman won't be so trusting in the future. I apologize for our (American) lack of business ethics Dr. Kauffman. Thanks for the insight into Leica's future. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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