noimmunity
scratch my niche
It was said the greater China market was the decisive factor in the inclusion of video capability on the M240.
Sources report China sales occupy over 50% of Leica's market
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johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Been saying it all along, that Leica stuff ends up mostly in China.
Only a year ago, people on this forum were strongly disagreeing with me on the subject.
I've spoken to owners of two Dutch Leica second-hand shops independently in the last year, both told me that all good quality stuff that they buy never makes it into their stores, salesmen visit them on a weekly basis and buy it all to ship it out to China. One said he truly regrets it but the money offered was too good to pass up on it.
Only a year ago, people on this forum were strongly disagreeing with me on the subject.
I've spoken to owners of two Dutch Leica second-hand shops independently in the last year, both told me that all good quality stuff that they buy never makes it into their stores, salesmen visit them on a weekly basis and buy it all to ship it out to China. One said he truly regrets it but the money offered was too good to pass up on it.
thegman
Veteran
Why does he regret it?
I'm not suggesting you think this, but sometimes I get the impression that Western Leica buyers are seen as 'real photographers', but Chinese buyers are just 'new money' looking for some bling gear.
Not accusing anyone of anything, but does anybody else get this impression?
Bill58
Native Texan
That may change as the gov't there says it is cracking down on gifts (bribes) to gov't officials.
raid
Dad Photographer
A nation like China is wealthy, and with the buying power being there, it is not strange that a luxury item is bought there.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Indeed my post does not suggest that.
My first thought would be that he regrets it because when people offer it for sale again, it will unlikely be at his place and he would eventually be left with a shop full of the stuff that wasn't good enough to go to China.
jsrockit
Moderator
Most likely because it never gets seen in his store by his regular customers. And because it isn't seen, his shop may not be viewed the same way, by the locals, as it may have been if he had all of the good stuff in store.
JMQ
Well-known
I suppose it's no different than all the good stuff going to Japan in the 1980s. Our capitalistic market promotes the flow of goods to the highest bidder. Now it's the Chinese who are willing to pay the high prices for the good stuff.
jsrockit
Moderator
Robert Lai
Well-known
Let the Chinese keep buying. At least it keeps Leica alive!
JMQ
Well-known
I couldn't agree with you more. It also keeps the used market alive for those of us who are already in.
dave lackey
Veteran
As a humorous aside...
There may be fewer Leica bashers in China.😛
But, seriously, it really doesn't matter who buys the products, does it?
There may be fewer Leica bashers in China.😛
But, seriously, it really doesn't matter who buys the products, does it?
JMQ
Well-known
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I don't see that as a particularly healthy position for any manufacturer ... too many eggs in one basket IMO.
raid
Dad Photographer
It was a smart move by Leica.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
And if the Chinese economy turns its toes up where does that leave them?
Australia's current economic success is based largely around a resources boom ... and a lot of this we owe to China's insatiable appetite for raw materials to feed it's frantic manufacturing industry. Same story IMO Raid.
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
China is now the most important market in the world for nearly everything not just luxury goods and not just Leica. Out of the 1.3 billion people 20 percent belong in the middle class so the buying power is enormous.
Mackinaw
Think Different
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In the exact same position as they were when the U.S. economy tanked in 2008 and the E.U. tanked in 2010.
Leica, wisely, sells camera everywhere. You have to if you're going to survive in a global economy.
Jim B.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Hm ... the Leica gear went US -> Japan -> China ... next stop will be India I guess ... 🙂
mike_j
Established
It's not just Leica. A huge number of collectable cameras go to China. I have recently sold two MPP TLRs and a Zeiss Super Ikonta. all went to Chinese buyers.
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