Sonnar2
Well-known
Comparing the production output of leading camera companies, I've worked through production data given in Dechert's Canon RF book for each model and allocated them per year (some guesswork if a model was produced for a longer period; but quite precise for the years with fast model change). Dechert was precise in the range of 25 pieces with most models whereas my aim is precision in the range of 2000 in each year, and getting the most likely allocation.
What is seen is a rapid increase in the early 1950's (successfull Leica-III copies) to a plateau of ~37.000 at 1954 (launch of Leica M3), a slow grow until 1961/62 (Canon P, 7 sales success) and a fast running-out after discontinuation of the Canon 7.
What astonishes me is a break in 1957 of 10.000 pieces, for which I miss a sound reason. 1957 was the year of the "new generation" model V/L. What the data told us is that these were sold worse(!) than the Leica III copies and I don't see a reason for this except probably the price was too high, but that was something to correct Japanese companies took months but not years. Even 1957 was the "Pentax SLR" year I doubt this could decrease production at this rate for just one year. I worked to arrange the model data to the most even production curve but the break still exists. Most simple reason could be wrong data in Dechert's book for a certain model build in 1957? He probably had access to the original production figures when compiling his book, but I probably 20 years later they don't exist anymore! Anyone has his eMail address to ask him directly??
cheers Frank
my raw data (xml can be opened with common spreadsheets): http://www.geocities.com/taunusreiter/Canon_Stueckzahlen.xml
What is seen is a rapid increase in the early 1950's (successfull Leica-III copies) to a plateau of ~37.000 at 1954 (launch of Leica M3), a slow grow until 1961/62 (Canon P, 7 sales success) and a fast running-out after discontinuation of the Canon 7.
What astonishes me is a break in 1957 of 10.000 pieces, for which I miss a sound reason. 1957 was the year of the "new generation" model V/L. What the data told us is that these were sold worse(!) than the Leica III copies and I don't see a reason for this except probably the price was too high, but that was something to correct Japanese companies took months but not years. Even 1957 was the "Pentax SLR" year I doubt this could decrease production at this rate for just one year. I worked to arrange the model data to the most even production curve but the break still exists. Most simple reason could be wrong data in Dechert's book for a certain model build in 1957? He probably had access to the original production figures when compiling his book, but I probably 20 years later they don't exist anymore! Anyone has his eMail address to ask him directly??
cheers Frank
my raw data (xml can be opened with common spreadsheets): http://www.geocities.com/taunusreiter/Canon_Stueckzahlen.xml
