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A Little Known Fact I Didn't Know About Leica:

12.72.248.54
Posted on May 20, 2004 at 17:48:12
Vinylly


 
Well, let's just say it was 'little known' by me.
Apparently Leica is really just a small company without much cash. Apparently this is why Panasonic is making all their digital cameras for them. Leica does not have the technical facilities to make their own digital cameras. I just read in one of the photo mags that Leica will be selling bonds to raise cash so that they can come up with the money to develop their own digital cameras. What they have on their drawing table and making the plans for is a digital camera that looks exactly like their old M6, even the same size. They want to make it themselves. This must mean that they are not entirely satisfied with Panasonic. My hunch is everybody agrees with them and they know it.

 

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True, posted on May 21, 2004 at 08:59:43
Leeka


 
Leica has never been a large company. Since they spun off the different divisions into separate companies (Leica Geosystems, Leica Microsystems, Leica Camera), the camera/opical group (cameras, binoculars, spotting scopes) hasn't had a large corporate structure to dip into for funding.

Also, as a small camera company, they don't have a large cash coffer to to back trial forays into various market segments. This means they have to be very, very carefully to assess their marketing choices and pursue only those that appear to have a nearly 100% chance of success.

The D2 has been highly successful for them. They are selling more D2's than anticipated. The Leica rep for my area is moving a minimum of 2-3 cameras per month through all of his photo stores in his sales area (and these ARE NOT large stores). Yes, when compared to Canon S-50 sales this isn't a startling amount - but then the competing 5 MP cameras aren't at the same price point either.

The digital back for the R-8, R-9 is being demonstrated in New Jersey at a Leica rep meeting in June. I hope to get some TIFF files back from that to look at & see what kind of images the setup will make. My Leica friend already has dealers with deposits for these backs. While they won't rack up Canon 1ds level sales, they will have a very interesting product to sell. Remember, Leica has never had the SLR sales volume of a Nikon n90, F100 or Canon EOS either in film cameras.

They are truly a "niche" manufacturer that appeals to a small segment of a large market. Nothing wrong with that if you keep your customers happy with quality products.

 

A Little Known Fact I Didn't Know About Leica: An upcoming auction, posted on May 26, 2004 at 19:35:42
Joe M


 


Undated file photo of a Leica 250 GG camera with electric motordrive MOOEV from 1944 in excellent condition which is to be auctioned, Saturday, May 29, 2004, at the
Westlicht gallery in Vienna. With a start prize of 80,000 euros, it will be the most expensive 35 mm camera ever sold in an auction. More information about the camera
and the 'Photographica Auction' can be found on the web at www.westlicht-auction.com . (Westlicht/Marco Pauer/ho)

 

can i say ****er ****er on here?, posted on June 1, 2004 at 17:40:15
Dominic


 
that's freaking crazy. can i ask how? and i thought the 16 000dollar de rosa bikes were too much.

 

Re: Yes, they are the same camera...., posted on June 4, 2004 at 15:54:56
SET Man


 
Basically a Panasonic with Leica's lens on it. Yes, this is hard to swallow for hardcore Leica fan since the same camera with Panasonic baged cost $500 less... I think. Good camera by the way but quite expensive. For that price I would check out other like Minolta A2 or Sony 818, and etc.

This is not the first time Leica use other mgf cameras. Did you know that older Leica SLR are acturally a modified Minolta camera? For example the Leica R3 is based on Minolta XE7 and Leica R4-R7 is based on Minolta XD-11. I believe it started in the late 60's or early 70's, Leica and Minolta (Konica Minolta now) had a joint verture that lasted until late 80's I think. Also, I have read that some Leica zoom lens are made by Minolta also. Oh! and who forget the cute CLE,CL!

Well, you get the idea... And if you wonder, Yes I am a Minolta user.

Buddy
NYC

 

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