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Will deal with PHASE ONE edge out Panasonic?


Clique72

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Reading the details of the new S2 is very interesting, to say the least, but there was one part of it that really caught my attention from the Professional Photographer report:

 

"technology from the S2 will trickle down to other yet-to-be-announced Leica digital cameras".

 

Now, I know that was followed by "The R system is far from dead", but what about other models in the Leica range? Will this mean that over the coming years, Leica will edge out Panasonic and start making it's own entry level and semi-pro models that are not just a re-worked Lumix model? I believe I am correct in saying that this happened in 2001/2002 when Fujifilm were replaced by Panasonic as the new development partner, so is there a chance that this could happen again now they are working with PHASE ONE?

 

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

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Reading the tea leaves, I think what Leica is trying to do is focus their in-house expertise on the really high end, flagship stuff where they excel, and leave Panasonic to do the consumer products for the rest of us. Sounds like a good strategy, if so.

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Reading the tea leaves, I think what Leica is trying to do is focus their in-house expertise on the really high end, flagship stuff where they excel, and leave Panasonic to do the consumer products for the rest of us. Sounds like a good strategy, if so.

 

I agree. Leica's niche has to be image/lens quality. They can't compete at any other level.

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Me too think they are probably making a right move (risky, as any business decision for a small company) ; try to enter the MF pro market partnering with a Company that has an experience they haven't (I think of service, too...) and continue to "monitor" the development of the consumer market partnering with Panasonic (in the middle there is the M8 niche... :) ) ; in both they have a very good brand to capitalize on : they weren't in the MF market, but there is not a pro who doesn't value the Leica name, so as there are lot of consumers that, any day, listen to dealers that say them "you see, the Panasonics are special for they use Leica lenses...". Being not a pro, nor a specific market analyst, I have no idea of the potential and the trend of the MF Digital market... which is the real bet for S2.

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Reading the tea leaves, I think what Leica is trying to do is focus their in-house expertise on the really high end, flagship stuff where they excel, and leave Panasonic to do the consumer products for the rest of us. Sounds like a good strategy, if so.

 

Indeed it does. While it would be wonderful to see PHASE ONE technology "trickle down" into a lower-cost device, I think Panasonic are doing an excellent job with Leica right now. It would also impact greatly on Panasonic if they stopped being a development partner, as the Lumix range has dramatically improved due to the Leica lens. :)

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Guest guy_mancuso

I give Leica a lot of credit on this move with Phase one, my words brilliant comes to mind. If your going to pick a MF company to bed down with Phase One is just top notch for sure. As owner of a Phase One bodies and backs they are extremely good at what they do with regards to software, firmware and customer service . Plus they have the channels in the MF market to help Leica. Not saying Hassy or Sinar would not have been bad choices but they needed the help in the area's that Phase One can provide with exceptional quality of products and services. This really should have no effect on there relationship with panasonic. This is a Pro level camera that needs Pro level support. Panasonic just is not in that area of expertise, although very good at the consumer level.

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