Leica in trouble?

[bobkonos]

In trouble? Only if you contemplate buying something new from them. Around here, the MP and M6s work as they should, and the older M4-P, M4-2, M4, M2, M3s, and IIIF RD get exercised regularly and used, too. Lenses are not in trouble here either. Now, if DAG or Sherry decide to retire, then you've got trouble.

 

[dof]

Now, if DAG or Sherry decide to retire, then you've got trouble.

Here here on that. I've often wondered if either of them are training an apprentice to carry on once they do decide that enough is enough.

 

[John Camp]

The full discussion of L-Camera revealed that there would be some kind of future for R glass, most likely a FF Panasonic with an electronic viewfinder. Not what most Leicaphiles had in mind, but something that would keep the R glass going for a while.

Not only is the R10 gone, but I suspect the S2 will follow after, and fairly quickly. The combination of the economy (and the downturn has quite a way to go, yet, I believe) and the competition will squeeze the S2 hard. Some people will pay $40,000 for an untested system from a shaky company, because they like the brand so much, but I think the average MF-using pro will take a pass...

Leica's salvation could be a high-end rangefinder that could combine heritage glass with a modernized body that would include focus confirmation and in-body IS. A nice little company could be built around such a concept, selling a few thousand Ms every year, and four or five lenses each, but only if the company stops throwing money down every rathole it can find.

JC

 

[Keith]

The full discussion of L-Camera revealed that there would be some kind of future for R glass, most likely a FF Panasonic with an electronic viewfinder. Not what most Leicaphiles had in mind, but something that would keep the R glass going for a while.

Not only is the R10 gone, but I suspect the S2 will follow after, and fairly quickly. The combination of the economy (and the downturn has quite a way to go, yet, I believe) and the competition will squeeze the S2 hard. Some people will pay $40,000 for an untested system from a shaky company, because they like the brand so much, but I think the average MF-using pro will take a pass...

Leica's salvation could be a high-end rangefinder that could combine heritage glass with a modernized body that would include focus confirmation and in-body IS. A nice little company could be built around such a concept, selling a few thousand Ms every year, and four or five lenses each, but only if the company stops throwing money down every rathole it can find.

JC

Interesting prediction for the S2 ... I could imagine the frustration in shelling out the hefty asking price for this camera and discovering that the market preparation was as thorough as the M8's! 🙄

 

[johnastovall]

In trouble? Only if you contemplate buying something new from them. Around here, the MP and M6s work as they should, and the older M4-P, M4-2, M4, M2, M3s, and IIIF RD get exercised regularly and used, too. Lenses are not in trouble here either. Now, if DAG or Sherry decide to retire, then you've got trouble.

There are lots of others repair Leicas and doing just as good a job as DAG or Sherry K.

Take a look at the LHSA Repair Services.