Shocked by Kaufmanns performance in S2 video

[Richard.no]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

First let me say that this might be slightly off topic, but here it goes.

 

I visited Leica-camera.com curious to read and see more of the S2. What I found was a video I suppose all of you've seen long ago: A video monologue with Kaufmann and two other employees at Leica AG.

 

I'll make it short: echoes, eyes moving all over the place, looking at the camera, looking at the video assistant, looking at his notes, only to be relieved by an equally unsure employee that said something about where it's made and how well. To be honest I was hugely disappointed, and in my opinion the only one that made a figure in that video was the product manager.

 

I don't know what I expected. Maybe to be left with a feeling that they're committed to the S2 and the rest of the Leica Camera division, a feeling created by someone so committed that he/she didn't need notes or look like they're asked to participate because someone in the Marketing division came and said "hey, we need someone to talk about the S2 in a video for our site", "uhm, ehm, but we make kameraz.." (no offense, I like Germany and German and your products in general).

 

So I don't post here anymore (or not that much at least), so it might be strange to make a post like this. At least you can give me your impressions of the video and tell me whether I am crazy to think it just plain sucks.

 

Kaufmann, I should have sent this to you, but I didn't. Please don't disqualify me from the S2 pre-order list, because I have faith in your new system, just not the video.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[andybarton]

I presume you mean Dr Kaufmann?

 

 

Let's show him some respect. Remember, he is not speaking in his native language, so is bound to be less confident than if he'd been speaking German.

 

I really couldn't care less what he's like if front of the video camera, so long as he is getting the job done with his business.

 

Which, from what I can see, he is.

[Richard.no]

I presume you mean Dr Kaufmann?

 

 

Let's show him some respect. Remember, he is not speaking in his native language, so is bound to be less confident than if he'd been speaking German.

 

I really couldn't care less what he's like if front of the video camera, so long as he is getting the job done with his business.

 

Which, from what I can see, he is.

 

So you think that I, by speaking my opinion about their promo video, are showing him disrespect? Or is it my ignorance by leaving out his doctor title?

 

Honestly, I think I made it clear that I have faith in the outlines of the S2 system, and Dr. Kaufmann is probably a very intelligent and experienced man, something I don't doubt for a second. That being said, I felt that the video was a bit less than convincing so I started questioning what's the real purpose of it.

 

If you think their performance would be better in German (you might have a valid point), then they should make it in German, text it, and maybe it will have some charm on the top.

[rosuna]

I see Dr. Kaufmann performance as quite good.

 

He is the owner of Leica. He seems relaxed and precise.

[AlanG]

The woman on the video says, "developed by Leica from scratch... designed and built in Germany." She does not say it was designed and built by Leica in Germany.

[Richard.no]

Alan G.: I had a look at your webpages, and I must say you have quite a collection of good photographs. My tributes to you.

[ptomsu]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Well folks,

 

I think he does far better than many politicians from whatever country. And this is not his job to give great presentations, but do the best for Leica and his money.

 

So why do you care? Can you do better? I am really amused

[Rolo]

 

I'll make it short: echoes, eyes moving all over the place, looking at the camera, looking at the video assistant, looking at his notes, only to be relieved by an equally unsure employee that said something about where it's made and how well. To be honest I was hugely disappointed, and in my opinion the only one that made a figure in that video was the product manager.

 

Richard,

I agree with your observations and second that this is not a polished performance. However, I'm delighted that he delivered the message himself and showed his personality to the point where I know I'd like the man and feel that I could trust him. I am far more interested in the message than the media.

 

The last thing I want is a film star employed to tell us how good the experience will be, for a fee. These are real human beings.

 

The other two are employees responsible for delivering the product. I saw the passion they have for what they're doing.

 

I hope there are further videos coming from these people and would hate for my criticism to be responsible for not getting in front of the camera again.

 

Just my 40p.

 

Rolo

Rolo

[ptomsu]

BTW - what does Richard.no stand for?

 

Richard Nobody???

 

And Nobody makes such observations?

[fotografr]

I thought the presentations were all perhaps a bit stiff, but it would certainly be silly to draw any inferences about the S2 or Leica's dedication to the system based on the way three individuals handle themselves on camera. That's a pretty goofy criticism in my opinion.

[erg]

I agree that Kaufmann's keynote was nothing compared to a Steve Jobs Macworld Keynote, but I appreciate Dr. Kaufmann's rhetoric and gestural efforts. This is all irrelevant for the importance of the S2 announcement. It's good to see and hear the real minds behind the S2 development instead of a show-master.

[Richard.no]

I agree that Kaufmann's keynote was nothing compared to a Steve Jobs Macworld Keynote, but I appreciate Dr. Kaufmann's rhetoric and gestural efforts. This is all irrelevant for the importance of the S2 announcement. It's good to see and hear the real minds behind the S2 development instead of a show-master.

 

I have to agree with you that it's better that the real people behind the S2 concept are the ones in the video, and it might be I was a little quick when I ran over here to complain.

 

Anyway, I still feel that the video has the appearance of a "first take". I am sure it would have been better if they'd let Kaufmann (Dr. Kaufmann that is ) speak from his heart rather than following this manuscript (or whatever it is). Maybe that's my point exactly: it just doesn't seem sincere.

[Richard.no]

I thought the presentations were all perhaps a bit stiff, but it would certainly be silly to draw any inferences about the S2 or Leica's dedication to the system based on the way three individuals handle themselves on camera. That's a pretty goofy criticism in my opinion.

 

I will admit it, it was maybe a little "goofy". For my defense I think I said "maybe" in connection to the dedication part. As I mentioned to another poster here it's maybe more that it doesn't seem sincere, apart from the product managers part, which I think was good.

[AlanG]

Look, they basically say, "We've made a very fine system for photographers." What more can they say? I don't think the prospective buyers of this system really care about the polish of the pitch. This is not an impulse purchase. They will be judging the camera very carefully before purchase, regardless of what anyone at Leica says. Or how they say it.

 

Again, the only thing I've gathered from this video is information that has led me to conclude that Leica subcontracted the design and manufacturing of the camera and lenses. My guess is that they went to Schneider who already makes similar autofocus leaf shuttered MF lenses for the Rollei system. (They are very fine lenses too.) I can't guess who would be making the body.

[Richard.no]

Richard,

I agree with your observations and second that this is not a polished performance. However, I'm delighted that he delivered the message himself and showed his personality to the point where I know I'd like the man and feel that I could trust him. I am far more interested in the message than the media.

 

The last thing I want is a film star employed to tell us how good the experience will be, for a fee. These are real human beings.

Rolo

 

As I said in reply to another poster in this thread, I kind of agree with this. And as I also said in the other reply the "peeking in the notes" part of the video takes something away from this "real" and "trust" part - IMHO.

[Richard.no]

BTW - what does Richard.no stand for?

 

Richard Nobody???

 

And Nobody makes such observations?

 

It took you 4 minutes after your first post in this thread to gulp up this?

 

I thought some common geography knowledge would explain the .no ending of my nickname.

 

I guess you get annoyed by my goofy critisism of the video, but you should realize that it is just my response to what I see as an unfinished product.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

LOL Okay I have to say we had a video done at my last workshop with me talking . I'm a bumbling idiot in front of a video camera . The folks at Leica like me are not actors in the slightest. You just don't know how hard it is to be in front of a camera and actually TALK and try to be like it actually sounds good. Frankly i stuttered three times and still did not get it out of my mouth . Hell he did better than i did by a bloody mile. LOL

 

Frankly he was himself and so was the others and they got there message across and after that who cares. I am not buying them but there products. But i can understand someone's point it is not professional speakers that we maybe used too in advertising. Just because you own the company or a CEO does not mean you can speak at all in public and most can't. I worked at a company that had professional speaking instructors for there top executives and they needed it badly.

[AlanG]

Alan G.: I had a look at your webpages, and I must say you have quite a collection of good photographs. My tributes to you.

 

Thanks, I can use all of the positive support I can get these days - as the economy has crashed and taken most of my work with it. You wouldn't be in the position of contracting architectural photographers would you? ;) I'll travel to Norway or anywhere else in the world.

 

Unfortunately for Leica, this is a terrible time to bring out new expensive equipment. Whereas two or three years ago, it would have been much more appealing to me. Especially the 24mm and the 30 TS. By next summer,when the S2 is available, I may be working at McDonalds. :(

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[elansprint72]

Seems to me that Dr. Kaufmann has a far better grasp of the English language than some around here who would claim it as their native tongue.

[UliWer]

So you think that I, by speaking my opinion about their promo video, are showing him disrespect? Or is it my ignorance by leaving out his doctor title?

 

Honestly, I think I made it clear that I have faith in the outlines of the S2 system, and Dr. Kaufmann is probably a very intelligent and experienced man, something I don't doubt for a second. That being said, I felt that the video was a bit less than convincing so I started questioning what's the real purpose of it.

 

If you think their performance would be better in German (you might have a valid point), then they should make it in German, text it, and maybe it will have some charm on the top.

 

I agree with you. When I saw the video my impression was: oh, what are they doing? When they want to address an international and mainly English speaking audience they should try harder, or find other means.

 

On the other hand this showed the sympathetic side of Leica: it still is a very provincial german business. It's strength is craftsmenship and not public relation.