"Blackstone is not happy with Leica"

Since they are not the majority owners it is more or less irrelevant what they want if they sell their share to Panasonic it might be a good thing as Blackstone isn't known for their high morals or being especially good for the companies they have shares in quiet the contrary in fact. They are after money at all cost and they should, being a private equity firm. Low volume camera production and Blackstone simple doesn't add up. Panasonic or any other halfway decent japanese camera maker would be a better fit imo. Many high net worth individuals in japan seem to like Leica and the tradition behind it.
 
DominikDUK said:
Since they are not the majority owners it is more or less irrelevant what they want
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The rights of a minority owner (under German law) are negotiable. If they can kick out the CEO, they obviously have a contract that gives them more rights than the legal minimum. Knowing venture capital companies, probably far more than that...
 
I think it more likely that Blackstone, if they want to get (partially) out would try and force a return to the Stock Exchange.

The person selected makes it a probability that they are want Leica to push the Leica T direction, as he is an advocate of consumerism.
 
Leica has a huge problem.

To compete they have to become much more cutting edge...cutting edge and keep the same quality to differentiate.

Hm...but then they wouldn't be Leica and would lose the appeal to their base...

Major league squeeze. They are better off staying boutique and keeping the quality and their base in my view...

Tom
 
As long as Leica respects and understand most Leica users want to still be involved in the process even if it is digital and shouldn't try and play to the least common denominator and keep making products like the MM which is a true alternative then they will probably be OK but if they start worrying about the next quarter and try and chase the fast money like I'm sure Blackstone wants they will be only in museums at some point moving forward.
 
SausalitoDog said:
Leica has a huge problem.

... and keep the same quality to differentiate.

... keeping the quality and their base in my view...

Tom
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What is this quality that you speak of? I do not see it in any of the modern bodies.
And yes, I own an M-E, as well as a few Leica film Ms.

Even the 'new' 50 Apo had serious issues with flare, until they made a mfg change and baffled the interior. But I would say the only quality I see is with the lenses.
 
Huss said:
What is this quality that you speak of? I do not see it in any of the modern bodies.
And yes, I own an M-E, as well as a few Leica film Ms.

Even the 'new' 50 Apo had serious issues with flare, until they made a mfg change and baffled the interior. But I would say the only quality I see is with the lenses.
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The MM is a really beauty.
 
jaapv said:
The person selected makes it a probability that they are want Leica to push the Leica T direction, as he is an advocate of consumerism.
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Now that Kaltner is officially the inbound new CEO, I would think that the special M's would still be a big push -was he not directly involved with the recent launches?
 
LCDs mean little to me and I haven't had any issues with my sensor. The sapphire screen almost looks new especially for as hard as I am on stuff. 2 1/2 years and over 30K and no problems. I had issues with all 4 of my Canons by 2 1/2 years and 30K frames.
 
airfrogusmc said:
LCDs mean little to me and I haven't had any issues with my sensor. The sapphire screen almost looks new especially for as hard as I am on stuff. 2 1/2 years and over 30K and no problems. I had issues with all 4 of my Canons by 2 1/2 years and 30K frames.
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Need I point you to the CCD thread where Leica acknowledges the issue, and are 'apparently' working on it?
 
That one has quite a number of "facts" that are no more than baseless wild guesses...
 
Leica has it's marketing all over the shop, and it is now showing with the dissent of the owners. They have a product...(good or bad, let us leave that alone for now)...which has mainly appealed to the photographer of the past, the dentist, the gynecologist and the snooty nose tweed jacket brogue wearing hobbyist..ok, a little tongue in cheek :)............now they are trying to get that over priced product to the new age comer by letting you believe that Lenny is the one....it won't work, you might as well give a leica to Brittany Spears and Justin Bieber :bang:
Money is a small part of trying to build a product in the market, and leica has not evolved in the market place.... Dr Kaufmann should go back to medicine or whatever he got his doctorate in.
 
Huss said:
Need I point you to the CCD thread where Leica acknowledges the issue, and are 'apparently' working on it?
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I've contacted Leica and I was told to send it in if I experience an issue or send it in and they will see if my sensor has the issue.
 
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