Leica AG CEO has replied

[airfrogusmc]

Thanks for posting that. Very interesting. Glad to hear they are fully committed to the M as a rangefinder.

 

[raid]

The rangefinder feature is very special to many people. I like it a lot myself.

 

[paulfish4570]

you asked questions important to the community you represented; your questions largely drew specific responses, with some company speak thrown in, and you avoided throwing in your own opinion. all in all, sound interview technique.

 

[VertovSvilova]

Thanks very much for taking the time to do this and posting it for everyone to read.

 

[Lss]

Well, at least the current CEO is clearly saying he cares more about a retail experience than lowering the entry barrier. In other words, you still needs to pay if you wants to play. This means you also increasingly need to pay for the retail experience of other Leica owners if said retail experience is not successful enough to offset the associated spending.

 

[uhoh7]

I think he needs to review history:
http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Pierpaolo_Ghisetti/14/00_pag.htm

Give us a small M field body, and once again you will reap the rewards of great alpine and remote imagery, advertising no money and no gimmicks can ever buy.

If he thinks it can't be done digitally, he should have a look at his iPhone.

 

[raid]

I am using my iphone. Maybe this is the answer? Use both?

 

[robert blu]

I think he needs to review history:
http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Pierpaolo_Ghisetti/14/00_pag.htm

Give us a small M field body, and once again you will reap the rewards of great alpine and remote imagery, advertising no money and no gimmicks can ever buy.

If he thinks it can't be done digitally, he should have a look at his iPhone.

Thanks for the interesting link about a photographer I didn't know and who made an excellent work with his Leica and his ability to use it.
robert

 

[oftheherd]

I doubt I will ever have a Leica, but I will continue to use cameras (mostly film) as long as God gives me opportunity. As a camera fan, I am interested in all things camera, so I read the interview and responses with much interest.

Thanks Raid and Stephen.

 

[raid]

Like other luxury items, not all people like what they are getting for the money spent.

 

[raid]

Many years ago, I was complaining to a senior colleague at my university about my low salary. I told him that I would request from the VP to meet with me to discuss this "unacceptable situation". His response to me was "Go and meet with the VP. He will say nice things to you. You will feel better after you leave his office. Just don't expect any changes to your salary".

This reminds me of what we are seeing here, in response to having contacted the Leica CEO. Some people will feel better, while others will see only "no changes". This is life.

 

[Lss]

There are several reasons I won't use Leica products. This attitude is just one of them.

There is no negative attitude in refusing to discuss confidential roadmaps on Internet forums. Sure, some companies make some of their roadmaps public (and may even end up living to the promise of delivering), while some may have leaks of internal roadmaps by disgruntled employees or subcontractors. The latter is frowned upon within those companies and people get fired.

I haven't followed the S system very closely, but I thought Leica actually has discussed that lens roadmap at least on some level. The Leica M lens system needs no roadmap unless there is a major change such as introduction of AF. The T lens system probably should have one available. I don't think there is one, but I haven't really followed that one either.

 

[CameraQuest]

Hey Naysayers,

What is wrong with you guys?

Which camera manufacturers have you been CEO of? Oh, right, none.
So you know nothing of the often conflicting demands and criteria that he has to operate under.

Leica's CEO is taking the time to reach out and have a conversation with RFF members.
That gives you something to complain about?

This guy is making an effort. This is an opportunity for you ask more questions and find out more about Leica.
How often do you get such a chance?

Stephen

 

[uhoh7]

Hey Naysayers,

What is wrong with you guys?

Which camera manufacturers have you been CEO of? Oh, right, none.
So you know nothing of the often conflicting demands and criteria that he has to operate under.

Leica's CEO is taking the time to reach out and have a conversation with RFF members.
That gives you something to complain about?

This guy is making an effort. This is an opportunity for you ask more questions and find out more about Leica.
How often do you get such a chance?

Stephen

I think the new CEO may be part schnapps, because he has certainly had a strong effect on the Bartender LOL

Now he is defending Leica!!! 😀

I love it 🙂

PS: Raid, it may be obvious, but what I mean about the iPhone, is that there really is no excuse for such large M bodies today. Much tech can be packed into a very very small form. Now some people like the M240 footprint, which is fine, make cameras for them. But good lord, some of us really try to take them where Barnack envisioned, for good reason. The lens set is simply untouchable. But for me and many others, the body is like an anchor, even the M9. No excuse today for the lack of alternative, if the users really are important.

This is tough love, not whining, because it's advice that could make Leica some extra money and "grow the pie".

 

[raid]

It took several years before my salary improved.
Leica needs time too.

 

[uhoh7]

It took several years before my salary improved.
Leica needs time too.

LOL I understand and I'm hopeful, but until they up the ante in this regard, I will crow 🙂

Squeaky Wheel 🙂

Anyway I think it's great you have taken the trouble to establish a dialog, and the effect on our leader is simply miraculous 🙂

 

[toyfel]

I'd be curious to know if Mr Kaltner sees a future market for a digital medium format mirrorless camera (made by Leica or any other company)

 

[raid]

My feeling is that consumers want small and light cameras.

 

[toyfel]

Even more exotic (and perhaps impossible due to patent issues), would it be an unthinkable insanity to make a high-quality digital medium format TLR ? Again, I am more interested in his general view on that topic, not necessarily from the viewpoint of Leica AG.

 

[toyfel]

My feeling is that consumers want small and light cameras.

Sure, but sometimes its good enough to just make it significantly smaller than competitor products of the same format (think Mamiya M7 versus SLR). And I wouldn't limit the scope of the interview to consumer cameras, after all Leica makes the S-type cameras.