Leica should offer film processing..

Archlich said:
... for each $8,000 camera they sell you are expected to upgrade in 5 years or so (with older models no longer serviceable), while the film cameras you keep for a lifetime. ...
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As far as I can tell, M8s are still being serviced, other than the LCD panel which is no longer available. M9s too. So that's service running back about a decade now, the M9 is seven years old too. I've heard nothing about discontinuing any of these service offerings yet either. Batteries, chargers, etc, all still available new.

G
 
SaveKodak said:
The FIND lab, Indie Film Lab, Little Film Lab, State Film, Richard Photo Lab, ProDPI, North Coast Photographic Services, etc etc...
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It might suffice to have Leica recommend one of the above labs, either on their website or from their personnel at the Leica stores. Using Leica as a middle-man between photographer and processing lab is unnecessary and is just another rung on the pricing ladder in my opinion.
 
Godfrey said:
As far as I can tell, M8s are still being serviced, other than the LCD panel which is no longer available. M9s too. So that's service running back about a decade now, the M9 is seven years old too. I've heard nothing about discontinuing any of these service offerings yet either. Batteries, chargers, etc, all still available new.

G
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Hi Godrey,

I was referring to mainly the DMR ($5995 when new), and yes also the M8's LCD panel and cover glass.

(Although not digital, the Made in Germany Leica CM, which was released in 2004 and discontinued in 2007, was no longer serviceable in 2008.)

These are natural occurrence for any digital/electronic products, as no longer could manufactures make every components in-house - which is fully understandable. Not even Leica could go against the tide.

This is drifting away from the main topic so I'd just stop here.


css9450 said:
It might suffice to have Leica recommend one of the above labs, either on their website or from their personnel at the Leica stores. Using Leica as a middle-man between photographer and processing lab is unnecessary and is just another rung on the pricing ladder in my opinion.
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Now that's the most sound move possible for Leica! Would certainly welcome that.
 
SaveKodak said:
The FIND lab, Indie Film Lab, Little Film Lab, State Film, Richard Photo Lab, ProDPI, North Coast Photographic Services, etc etc...
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css9450 said:
It might suffice to have Leica recommend one of the above labs, either on their website or from their personnel at the Leica stores.
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Archlich said:
Now that's the most sound move possible for Leica! Would certainly welcome that.
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I did mention that, sentence #2, in the post that started this thread
:)

Awesome thread starter said:
Even if they just collect it and ship it out to a contracted vendor.
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Of course there are already labs that people ship film to, but the vast majority of people do not know of this service. Hence the response when people see me shoot film about not knowing film still existed and/or did not know you could get it processed anymore. Even Costco in the US pulled the plug on film processing last year.

Leica offering a film service of sorts creates promotion and awareness of film usage for everyone. They are still making spare parts for Leica cameras from 60 years ago, no other camera mfg does that. It demonstrates a company that respects tradition of the original process.
No-one is buying Leica's cameras that are not the M , Q or SL. Maybe even the S. The rebadged Panasonics and the T collect dust as they are the victim of smart phones, just like the rest of the consumer digital camera industry.
Fuji and Olympus have not made a profit in aeons selling digital camera equipment. Sony makes it's digital imaging money from selling sensors to other mfgs and their CCTV systems. Canon's and Nikon's profits shrink every year with no signs of abating.
The consumer digital market will be dead soon to non smart phones. What will be left is the luxury/pro camera end and.... film users.
 
Huss said:
Of course there are already labs that people ship film to, but the vast majority of people do not know of this service. Hence the response when people see me shoot film about not knowing film still existed and/or did not know you could get it processed anymore. Even Costco in the US pulled the plug on film processing last year.
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Lets keep it quiet people (about film still being processed), so film cameras prices remains low ;)
 
If Leica USA's film processing is anything like their M9 sensor replacement, it'll take six months before you get your film back.

Just buy some Rodinal and a tank.
 
Huss said:
In it's Leica Shops. Even if they just collect it and ship it out to a contracted vendor. It will give people more reason to shoot film, Leica has three current production film cameras, it will draw more people into their stores, Leica users or not.
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What you demand is real in Europe :)

E.g., Leica Store Vienna, 1010 Wien, has a «Printservice».
 
Maybe some of the members of the forum should offer their services to develop films. I do not believe the professional labs left are doing a great job. I can see photos developed here by members and are superb (I know, the photographer etc.) but their quality is consistent. Not the same at the labs. That could be a good source income.
 
Huss said:
In it's Leica Shops. Even if they just collect it and ship it out to a contracted vendor. It will give people more reason to shoot film, Leica has three current production film cameras, it will draw more people into their stores, Leica users or not.

Digital is dieing in the non pro market thanks to smart phones. Film, while a niche market, is showing resurgence. Leica is a niche player no matter what. This will connect them directly to being all about photography. It will link their past to their, and photographers, future.

It has to be a quality service, not the junk that was offered in drug stores in the past. It can be offered for a reasonable price, considering that places like northcoastphoto etc can do it for a reasonable price with high quality.
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good idea
except they would charge Leica prices
$100+ for a developed and printed 24 exposure roll

but then if the prints came preworn ala Lenny Kravitz it might be worth it
 
pepeguitarra said:
Maybe some of the members of the forum should offer their services to develop films. I do not believe the professional labs left are doing a great job. I can see photos developed here by members and are superb (I know, the photographer etc.) but their quality is consistent. Not the same at the labs. That could be a good source income.
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What pro labs aren't doing a good job? Indie Film Lab, FIND Lab, PPI, RPL, PhotoVision, etc are all outstanding.
 
Why not Leica make a scanning jig for whatever cameras?

Piecing together old copy stands, light sources and holders are a bit of a pain- then inverting and post processing..
 
Leica will process your roll...$300- for color..$600- for B&W...
$500- more for deckle cut edges...just like the 50's...
Enlargements...
5x7 $400- ea
8x10 $800- ea
11x14 $1600- ea
16x20 and up...your 1st newborn child..
Double for B&W...
 
Emile de Leon said:
Leica will process your roll...$300- for color..$600- for B&W...
$500- more for deckle cut edges...just like the 50's...
Enlargements...
5x7 $400- ea
8x10 $800- ea
11x14 $1600- ea
16x20 and up...your 1st newborn child..
Double for B&W...
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VAT included?
 
If Leica offered film processing you would have to buy your film from Leica at greatly inflated prices, send it to Germany for developing, wait three months to get it back, have all your emails ignored, and take out a loan to pay for it.

Or, you could buy the chemicals and develop it yourself in an hour for a pittance.
 
Huss said:
Do u apply that logic to other items? Should fuel be free if you pay over a certain amount for a car?

:rolleyes:
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It SHOULD NOT but would be a good marketing trick :)
Volvo lease gives me free oil changes. Probably doable for them for $450/months :)
 
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