Leica Sales Up 6.7%

Man, 4million Euros ain't a whole lot of dough for research. I assume that also includes all the sports optics, as well as the digital M's and R's.

No wonder they're behind the times, eh? Let's hope for the future. It'd be a real shame to lose Leica.
 
Leica Sales Figures

Leica Sales Figures

I have for years wondered what the sales figures were for the M Series camera body. Anyone out there have a feel for this? I am interested in recent annual M-Body sales quantities, as well as a guess at the total quantity of M-Bodies (of all kinds) that have been made over the years.

Thanks!

John Magnuson
 
Whilst I agree with bobofish, the sales are not quite as bad as the headline suggests.

Thanks for shareing this Jason.

The release is worth reading as it puts these figures into perspective, there are mitigating circumstances for the fall in sales.

Interesting point John, I don't know if there are public figures available for the numbers of M bodies sold, personally I'd be interested in the ratio of MP to M7 purely out of curiosity.

It would also be interesting to see which body is stopped (if any) to provide production capacity for the digital M when it arrives. Last chance to get an M7 anyone?
 
Does someone think Leica is seriously in the camera biz? Camera sales figures are irrelevant to the future of the company. They're like claiming Corvette sales figures have to do with the future of General Motors.

www.cabelas.com is undoubtedly more financially significant to Leica's future than are the cameras.
 
Djon,
I think you're right on...I think many people would LIKE to think that Leica is still in the camera business, but it doesn't bear out really with their sales figures and presence.
It's pretty easy to find Leica sport optics, and every sportsman's show I've ever been to has had a number of people selling them like hotcakes. They're high quality, and competitive in price with the other great brands.

Unfortunately they've priced themselves right out of most people's wallets in the camera division (with the perceived cache that exclusivity brings) and their M line is unfortunately for them just about perfect the way it is, and has been for 50 years.

It may well be that all of our flustering little arguments on the web about Leica's camera tactics are foolish and pointless...it could well be that Leica is largely phaising out the camera division as anything but a figurehead for their business.
 
Djon,

You've probably hit the nail on the head. Maybe that are still making cameras and lenses... because thay can. Certainly as a major player in the photography market thay are not in the (excuse the pun) picture.

However, it has to be said that they do produce (and have produced fo some time) some wonderful cameras and even better optics. I for one am very pleased that they still do release new lenses like the recent 50 Summilux and the 75 cron that have arguabely raised the bar for quality.
 
Leica builds camera for collecters, and these collectors are dying off. ;)
 
they need replacement collectors. i wonder if they'll start marketing in youthful culture/fashion/art/design/photo rags.
 
They are not just building cameras for collectors, the M7 is not a collectors camera but a users camera IMHO. I think its fair to say that they are still selling cameras to people who intend to use them - maybe not in large numbers - but there are plenty of users out there as well as collectors, who are most definitely not dying off BTW. :)

 
Owning a Leica is a double-edged sword. I'm never paid much attention due to the camera and often thought of as just another tourist, albeit where I live; however, this exposes the problem: Leica has lost much market share and, here, has little market presence, and even though they charge a premium their sales numbers are relatively low giving them little revenue and slim profit from the camera division.

Now, before you all do the splits, all I mean to suggest is that Leica is still dedicated to the consumer camera market and pours some funds into R&D but at a rate which could be higher with greater market capitalization. Keeping this is mind R&D will cease before camera production. Luckily, though, seeing as Leica users care not for technological advancement but for excellence, if R&D were to stop then the, at the time, present plethora of superb camera and optical equipment would last users some time yet before camera production winds up.

As long as the production and sale of cameras and lenses is profitable it ought to survive. This division is also backed by a strong presence elsewhere which is excellent news as expressed by sales figures. Leica have insured themselves from insolvency by noticing a shift and capitalizing where they could, when they could and with whom they could - i.e. forget going at it with the Japanese giants but look for a market untapped with room for expansion - all whilst not dropping the camera division.

Really, we have nothing about which to worry. Only when cameras stop turning a profit shall we have reason for fear. This is highly unlikely given the large margins able to be charged in luxury goods as customers are often loyal, wealthy and dedicated.
 
While the optical performance of the new lenses can be compared and graphed as being superior I do not believe that the quality is what it used to be. My 90 Summicron has such a silky smooth feel to it. While my 75 Summicron and 50 Summilux feel "cheap" in comparison. The performance is up to standard but they do not have the same feel to me. Could be that Leica has been cutting corners and trying to save on the production side.

It is good news that they are making some money on the sport optics side of the business. I wonder though if we will every see a lens produced like the 90 Summicron BP ever again (and have a price tag below 6,000 US).
 
I think the outcome of the digital M is going to answer some of these questions. This body will be a good barometer for us to gauge the future plans for us Leica fans.
 
aizan said:
they need replacement collectors.
Click to expand...

China is working on making replacement collectors right now.
The problem is by then the Seagulls will be just as good as Leicas.

Maybe Leica can open a showroom on Rodeo Drive.
Some stick-on bling should really dress up those old cameras.

And what does 6.7% of Leica sales amount to, anyway?
One body or one lens?

Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen;
you've been a charming audience.

What? Jealousy? Me? Nah! I'd never even want to own a Leica... ;-)

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-
 
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