Leica's Future Plans

bob cole

bob cole

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Leica has just issued the August 2006 issue of Leica Fotografie International, which has an article by Steven K. Lee, new Director for Strategic Planning...It can be read in several languages, including English, French and German...

He says the M8 -- ''no matter how well made'' ... ''will not save Leica for long," noting that it the "top of the range." Signalling what may be in store, he added: "To survive, Leica must free itself from its niche and serve other market segments, as well.''

He said that the Kaufmann group, headed by Dr. Andreas Kaufmann, Leica's governing body chairman, " is solvent. Very solvent" and that Kaufmann "does not buy with the intention of splitting up the parts and selling them at a profit. It buys and aggregates strategically.''

Mr. Lee gave a clear signal that Leica would soon be coming out with lower-priced Leica cameras and that ACM of Austria would remain for the long haul...

You can get a PDF of the Leica issue here:


http://www.leica-camera.us/news/publications/lfi/
 
a lower priced Leica?
this might save them, a Leica ala CV R3M
with a Copal shutter similar to the CV, but with a better quality rangefinder.
 
A lower priced Leica would be nice if the quality was as good as the models out now.

Would lower priced mean Made in China?
 
Robert said:
A lower priced Leica would be nice if the quality was as good as the models out now.

Would lower priced mean Made in China?
Click to expand...

Would it matter as long as the image quality is still up to Leica standards?
The pace of technology means digital cameras are outdated in 2-3 years no matter how well made. Instead of buying 1 Leica now at $5000 and wanting it to last >10 years, would it be so bad to buy one every 2-3 years at $1500?
 
IMO "made in China" is no longer a bad thing. There's lots that is "made in China" and is superior to anything Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the US or Europe makes.
 
Robert said:
A lower priced Leica would be nice if the quality was as good as the models out now.

Would lower priced mean Made in China?
Click to expand...

assembled in Portugal from chinese and japanese made parts.
 
The whole essence of a Leica is a camera that should be able to last more than a lifetime.

I know the market is calling for cheap quality cameras but as seen by Leica M8 demand, discerning digital photographers are willing to invest a lot of money to buy a camera that would produce excellent image quality for the lifetime of the photographer and beyond.

In 50 years time will the digital cameras of today be still operating, even the M8. I would very much doubt it but I bet there will still be film Leicas from now, around then.
 
RML said:
IMO "made in China" is no longer a bad thing. There's lots that is "made in China" and is superior to anything Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the US or Europe makes.
Click to expand...
My two dead digicams, a few useless toasters, and countless other stuff I'm getting rid of that's Made in China counters the "cheap" argument.
 
Robert said:
In 50 years time will the digital cameras of today be still operating, even the M8. I would very much doubt it but I bet there will still be film Leicas from now, around then.
Click to expand...

The M8 is an awsome piece of kit and I would not be surprised if it lasts 20+ yrs. The problem is that no matter how well built it is, unless I am a Leica collector, I will have no use for it in the future, it will be a photographic relic. Unlike a film camera that lasts a lifetime, and whose basic technology does not change, anything digital has an imposed longevity.

The only way I can see myself buying a high quality digital body like the M8 is if it has upgradable electronics. Personally, I think "cheap" Leicas would be a bad idea, and contrary to what Leica is all about, upgradble Leicas on the other hand... 🙂
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
My two dead digicams, a few useless toasters, and countless other stuff I'm getting rid of that's Made in China counters the "cheap" argument.
Click to expand...

Samething happened with Japanese and Korean goods, just a bit earlier

You forget one thing, importers (ie, Walmart) have their own QC standards, if they can get it cheaper elsewhere they will...

In the next ten years, you have have breaken digicams, toasters etc from India...

Remember China just have two manned space mission in 2006, building Su-27 fighter planes, and rearming 2 russian aircraft carriers. The technologies are there, but can you (I assume american consumer) afford it (or whoever importers consumer goods to the US)???

Don't tell me USA only build Caddy with 16 cylinders engine in the 1920s..
 
bob cole said:
Leica has just issued the August 2006 issue of Leica Fotografie International...
Click to expand...

If they just issued the August 2006 issue, I'd say they've got fundamental problems beyond product cost...
 
Will said:
Samething happened with Japanese and Korean goods, just a bit earlier

You forget one thing, importers (ie, Walmart) have their own QC standards, if they can get it cheaper elsewhere they will...

In the next ten years, you have have breaken digicams, toasters etc from India...

Remember China just have two manned space mission in 2006, building Su-27 fighter planes, and rearming 2 russian aircraft carriers. The technologies are there, but can you (I assume american consumer) afford it (or whoever importers consumer goods to the US)???

Don't tell me USA only build Caddy with 16 cylinders engine in the 1920s..
Click to expand...

My sentiments exactly. In North America we may not be getting top tier made in China products but then again we are not paying the premium either.

Bob
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
My two dead digicams, a few useless toasters, and countless other stuff I'm getting rid of that's Made in China counters the "cheap" argument.
Click to expand...

CPU's in servers used the world over, electronics, car parts, industrial parts, etc. are proof that "made in China" does not equate with "cheap". Perhaps you bought rubbish but that doesn't mean everything is.
 
jlw said:
If they just issued the August 2006 issue, I'd say they've got fundamental problems beyond product cost...
Click to expand...

My feelings exactly! But back to Made in China, if they honor their warranty with regional service (rather than shipping to Solms) can't see a problem with cheaper manufacturing if they will service when necessary.
 
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