Ororaro
Well-known
Then it was Taiwan… then it was China… it’s all economics-101 as presented in all the universities across the globe.
Polar-Solaron-M
- Thread starter Ororaro
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Then it was Taiwan… then it was China… it’s all economics-101 as presented in all the universities across the globe.
sojournerphoto
Veteran
Ah yes - my father in law had a distinctive description of my Kawasaki, as well as an oil drip tray sitting under his Velocette😉
panatomic
Member
Polar’s policy for dealing with QA issues isn’t great, only offering repairs but not taking returns or replacements, but OP needs to chill with the gatekeeping. There’s enough snobbery and anti-Asian sentiment in the Leica world, it’s gross.
To bring the conversation to something productive, here’s the original post of Polar customers in China who are calling for better handling of the situation:
www.xiaohongshu.com
To bring the conversation to something productive, here’s the original post of Polar customers in China who are calling for better handling of the situation:
小红书
Cascadilla
Well-known
I don't have a dog in this fight--my RF cameras are Zeiss Contax from the 1930's and 50's, with Zeiss and Nikkor lenses, but this does remind me of the kind of denigration of Japanese cameras and lenses post WW II. Of course many of these were derivative of or outright copies of German models, but everybody has to start somewhere and copying successful designs has happened in almost every industry at some point. I'm not endorsing outright theft, since patents should mean something for legitimate advances in technology or concept and people should be rewarded for their contributions to the advancement of products that make our lives better. But I do think that Leicas, while excellent cameras with excellent lenses, have become what economists refer to as Veblen goods. Their high prices have become a feature rather than a bug for many buyers since the mere possession of the new Leica and lens becomes a way of demonstrating wealth and position above most other people.
sojournerphoto
Veteran
I’ve wondered whether Leicas are Veblen goods. I’m not quite there yet, but the point is well made. It’s interesting that other manufacturers are catching up or surpassing Leica prices, which perhaps suggests otherwise. Also, an M11P is a lot less conspicuous than a Lamborghini.
Also, luxury clothing and ‘accessory’ brands have been offering significant (50%) discounts in the Asian market to try and drive demand following a slowdown. I don’t think Leica has. This may be an indication that Veblen goods either don’t exist, only exist in certain circumstances or that Leica is ‘more Veblen’ than a Burberry coat, for example.
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
While we’re at it, we should check out Dior bags 🙂
www.forbes.com
Italian Court Reveals Dior’s Unethical Supply Chain And Puts Other Luxury Brands On Notice
An Italian court finds contractors for LVMH's Christian Dior brand engaged in human rights violations and alleges such abuses are systemic in the luxury supply chain.
www.forbes.com
sojournerphoto
Veteran
While we’re at it, we should check out Dior bags 🙂
Italian Court Reveals Dior’s Unethical Supply Chain And Puts Other Luxury Brands On Notice
An Italian court finds contractors for LVMH's Christian Dior brand engaged in human rights violations and alleges such abuses are systemic in the luxury supply chain.
Ugh! Disgusting but, sadly, unsurprising. Pity LMVH owns Leica - whose human rights policy can be found here
https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/388-20-scdda-policy-statement.pdf
Edited to add - to be honest, I’ve always been a bit uncomfortable about the ownership, not because I had or have reason to think poorly of Leica operations but just that I don’t really own luxury stuff. I just happen to like the tools they make. The WW2 Leica train helps in terms of history too. Of course, given rangefinders are a niche product, the ownership probably makes sense.
Duofold RF
Well-known
These lenses exist because there is market for it. People who are unable to get the real one will be attracted by these knock off copies. The artisans are better than these one man operated brands. At least, the artisans have better quality control. If you like replica/knock off stuff go for it, this is a free market. Chinese companies have a long way to go, compare to Japanese companies. The culture and mentality are totally different, do not expect magic will happen.
Freakscene
Obscure member
Leica Camera Ag is 55% owned by Austrian investment firm ACM Projektentwicklung GmbH and 45% owned by The Blackstone Group. It used to be partly owned by Hermès, in the early 2000s. At that time, LVMH owned 4.9% of Hermès.
If you have ethical concerns maybe don’t investigate Blackstone.
sojournerphoto
Veteran
Thanks for the correction Freakscene. Appreciate that. I work closely enough to ‘capital’ to see good and bad in that world. I don’t belong to it however!
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
What's interesting is that several years back (2017), Blackstone tried selling their stake in Leica Camera, but I cannot find a reason why that never transpired? Perhaps they couldn't find an appropriate suitor, or perhaps they had a change of heart since Leica Camera's financial performance improved - post-covid.
From 2015:
leicarumors.com
From 2015:
Blackstone is not happy with Leica - Leica Rumors
The German website manager-magazin.de published an article about the potential replacement of the current Leica Camera CEO Alfred Schopf. I was told that this is not the first and it is not going to be last change in top management. There are rumors that Blackstone is not happy with the current...
leicarumors.com
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