$$$$$

[charjohncarter]

I think Canon, Nikon, Leica and other high end digital products will be hurt. But Canon and Nikon will survive. Not because they better products but because they have low end products that will carry them.

 

[FA Limited]

I don't think this will be a problem for "the M8", because (#1), the target market is people who can afford it. People who can afford it, more often than not, come from a different segment of the population, than, say, the artist.

If you were to ask the question about, I don't know...a Big Mac vs. Beluga caviar, and if Beluga caviar were a food staple in the majority of homes, then I'd say, yes, for sure, Beluga caviar is bound to die a swift death, if its target market were Joe The Plumber, Joe Six-Pack, and Joe "Who-Cares!" Doe.

if even luxury car makers are taking a hit, then i wouldn't be surprised if leica takes a hit too. although it could be argued that the rich would substitute these cars with cheaper luxury goods like leicas, but i doubt it

 

[Dogman]

I bought all my Leica film-based equipment used. It was still expensive but it was within reason for me at the time. Looking at the M8--even used M8's--the prices are not within reason whatsoever. If I were still a working photographer instead of a photo hobbyist and I was trying to survive in this crappy economy, I would pick my tools very carefully with a close eye on return on investment.

All my digital equipment is Canon. I would like to buy another dSLR body eventually but I've downsized from a possible 5D to a "maybe" XSi. Unless I decide to buy a lottery ticket and it happens to win, no Leica digital will ever be in my future.

I believe a lot of people worldwide are looking at a bleaker economic future than I am. If they are realistic, they will reassess their priorities and find they simply can make do with something less than their previous expectations. After all, this consumer-driven, credit-based economy has proven to be a fast ride to nowhere in a rocket that's run out of fuel.

Given that rosy forecast, can anyone really believe Leica won't be hurt by the economic downturn?

 

[benkelley]

I wonder if the current yen price will help Leica, by finding more Japanese buyers for not only the M8 but also new lenses(luxes), and potentially the S2. I don't know what the economic situation is there right now, but I wonder if the value of the yen won't make it cheaper to buy new Leica in Japan. I also wonder if it will make Japanese goods more expensive elsewhere, perhaps slowing the dSLR wars down a hair?