Has Leica alienated photographers?

[jaapv]

After reading all this I remain wondering:

1) how to register at Leica as a pro Dentist, and
2) if Leica has alienated photographer's wives.

Roland.

1. Just be a regular customer for four decades...
2. Yes.

 

[chikne]

Has leica alienated photographers?

" Leica has paid homage to its 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M lens by launching a £110 keyring and a £575 fountain pen.
Read more at http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14472662750449&key=ebcd42a6fe063fd7c4aedf286a490098&libId=igv4yzs50100noz5000DA9m91zu6d&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rangefinderforum.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D152926&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amateurphotographer.co.uk%2Flatest%2Fphoto-news%2Fleica-launches-110-keyring-and-575-pen-65504%23AerRT8l7JwzUgTHm.99&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rangefinderforum.com%2Fforums%2Fforumdisplay.php%3Ff%3D208&title=Unique%20opportunity%20for%20Noctilux%200.95%20gear%2C%20%C2%A3110%20get%20yours%20now%20-%20Rangefinderforum.com&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amateurphotographer.co.uk...8l7JwzUgTHm.99 "

 

[Roger Hicks]

Has leica alienated photographers?

" Leica has paid homage to its 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M lens by launching a £110 keyring and a £575 fountain pen.. . . [/URL] "

And?

1 What has this to do with photography or photographers?

2 How would it alienate anyone who wanted to buy a Leica to take pictures, i.e. a photographer?

Sure, I think it's silly and in bad taste. But "alienated"? How? Why? How does it make my Leicas bad cameras?

Cheers,

R.

 

[Pioneer]

Has leica alienated photographers?

" Leica has paid homage to its 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M lens by launching a £110 keyring and a £575 fountain pen.
Read more at http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...ww.amateurphotographer.co.uk...8l7JwzUgTHm.99 "

I think this is called branding.

Look at it this way, you have been wanting a Leica for years but you and your wife still can't make ends meet with both of you working. Now you can own a Leica keychain to show your love of Leica for way less than a camera would cost. Meanwhile you can continue to shoot your Spotmatic that your wife's Dad gave you.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I think this is called branding.

Look at it this way, you have been wanting a Leica for years but you and your wife still can't make ends meet with both of you working. Now you can own a Leica keychain to show your love of Leica for way less than a camera would cost. Meanwhile you can continue to shoot your Spotmatic that your wife's Dad gave you.

Oh, you cynical fellow, you.

Not wrong. Just cynical. It also helps if people are too stupid to realize that if they didn't buy things like £110 key-chains, quite soon they'd have enough money to buy a Leica.

Of course, there are those for whom this will be a joke purchase, or (worse still) a joke gift for a friend. See paragraph 2.

I know one or two very, very rich people who might find it amusing and who could afford it easily. Or maybe not. Afford it easily, yes. Find it amusing, no.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Frankd]

I guess I'll put my 2 cents in, but I think it has been said before.

I don't shoot jobs with my Leica. I use Canon digital and sometimes medium format film for "fine art" that I sell. I don't think I have ever sold any of my Leica photos. But I love shooting with a rangefinder and shooting film.

I did a project on Chicago commuters with my Leica M4-P and am very happy with the results. I guess I could have used several other cameras and maybe got better results. One of my photographer friends said I should have used an iPhone. NO WAY. I enjoy shooting with my M4-P and am very happy with the results that I got.

I tried an M9 at a dealer a couple of years ago and liked it. Still a bit more than I want to pay. But I don't feel "alienated". Maybe prices will come down and I'll pop for one. No strong pull now.

 

[Alberti]

being un-alienated

being un-alienated

This week I saw a TV ad for Hyundai i-20.
The guy in the da was dressed as a modern gentleman. Walked like he should.
- And he had a Leica M-240, handling it exactly like a habitual shooter does.
One could easily associate with him. (Sociologists have a nice word for that.)

This is branding - and while it is not Spectre,it is still very effective. (Though my wife did not see it)

Now (big laugh) I might have look.

So, if you are involved, thanks Solms!

 

[Kent]

Leica has always been a brand for the "top 10.000", for wealthy parts of society - or for some kinds of professionals who accepted the prices as part of the game. There is no doubt about that.

Some photographers bought Leica gear without being rich or professional. Those guys have saved their money for a while to fulfill their dream.

In former days a Leica has set you back for about the double amount of an average wage. Today, it's perhaps four times as much.
But the reason for that it that the wealth gap between rich and poor has widened considerably. Rich persons still can afford the Leica price. Just for the "regular" guy those items have moved far out of reach. You need much longer when you save for a Leica.

Now, has Leica alienated photographers? No.
They perhaps have alienated the average earner. But those have never been Leica's target group.

I have never bought any Leica item new. All the Leica things I own, I have bought used. And I was able to because the rich Leica fans buy new thing more often now and thus generate an affordable used gear market.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Could we have a vote on:

A, This thread should be closed now or

B, there is no second choice.

Regards, David

PS I will vote for A once my head stops going round and round from reading it and seeing the same old points made over and over again..

 

[Ronald M]

I wish they would quit wasting money on consumer cameras and lower prices on what does work.

Leica Park. Give me a break. I wonder how many square feet I paid for.

They will price themselves right out of business if not careful

 

[jsrockit]

I wish they would quit wasting money on consumer cameras and lower prices on what does work.

Sounds good for you, but not for Leica.

 

[Alberti]

Hi,

Could we have a vote on:

A, This thread should be closed now

YES !
[we are] seeing the same old points made over and over again..
and it is errant rant unfit for this Forum.

 

[jaapv]

I wish they would quit wasting money on consumer cameras and lower prices on what does work.

Leica Park. Give me a break. I wonder how many square feet I paid for.

They will price themselves right out of business if not careful

Last time I looked Leicas were consumer cameras. As most cameras are except mid/large format and similar stuff (mainly)
Btw, Leica rents their premises.

 

[Addy101]

Why do people feel the need to have a thread closed when there is no fight going on?
If you don't like the thread, just don't read it.....

Btw, I'm with Kent all the way.

 

[willie_901]

Btw, Leica rents their premises.

Irrelevant. There is still a cost-per-square meter in their lease budget. The more space one leases the more it costs.

 

[photomoof]

Btw, Leica rents their premises.

Even Apple doesn't buy, how would Leica even consider such reckless behaviour?

 

[jaapv]

Indeed.:angel:

 

[Roger Hicks]

People who buy Leicas aren't alienated.

People who don't, say they are. But as they don't buy them anyway...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Just buy 2nd hand...
Yeah..its still hideously expensive...but not as hideously expensive...as new..
Let the other guy take the big hit on new..and when resold...2 years down the road..w/only 2k clicks on it..@$1- per click...discount..
You snap it up..

 

[Emile de Leon]

I just bought a 135mm Elmar F4 in very close to brand new cond...for $200-....
And man...that lens..completely slays the 135mm Hector 4.5... I got for free...
It has Lanthanum glass to boot..
So no..ok..so it took awhile..but..Leica..didn't alienate me..today..I luv Leica..today..
But tomorrow...is..another day...