The Leica Predicament — 2014 Outlook and Beyond

[Koolzakukumba]

It'll be a sad, sad day if Leica disappears. I only shoot film so the digital stuff isn't of any real interest to me but it's as hard to imagine a world without Leica rangefinders as it is one without Tri X.

 

[anerjee]

My prediction: Sony will exit the camera business before Leica (though I expect Sony to remain a supplier of sensor & electronics). Won't happen soon, but give it a few years.

I am not sure what to make of this - any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated...

 

[Vince Lupo]

Just looked at the most recent annual report of Leica camera, and according to them they seem to be doing more than fine.

Aspects of this discussion kinda remind me of that Mark Twain quote: "The report of my death was an exaggeration."

 

[Bill Clark]

My experience:

One of the photographers who worked with me, she has been a pro for 30+ years, mentioned to me, at my office, that people at an event, like a wedding, will take notice of the equipment used. When I was 100% film based, I used mainly Hasselblad equipment. People expected that a hired photographer would have a "higher" "pro" type of equipment.

With digital, many folks would have the same and sometimes newer equipment that I brought. It wasn't until I bought one of the big Mark Canon cameras that people didn't have quite anything like it.

The last few gigs I did I would take a couple rolls of film with a Leica camera. People would look at it, smile, knowing that it was like how folks perceive a car like a Porsche or Mercedes.

At any rate, that's the perception many have of a pro photographer.

Like it or not them that pays the bucks expect something different than they have. And, of course, the photographs that are made with the equipment.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

hehe, To go to a shoot, have the ASSISTANT carry all the hassy etc equipment, I shoot with a couple leicas and occassional set up shot with that huge hasselblad...

 

[Dez.]

I'll worry about Leica's financial security the day that their equipment is discounted due to overstock and not a day sooner.

 

[Dez.]

The only reason to buy a Leica is the RF. Lots of other cameras accept Leica glass with an adapter.

There's only one non-Leica camera that performs nearly equal to a Leica camera with Leica glass, and that's the Ricoh GXR with A12 M module. All others have poor edge performance, and in some cases, even poor center performance.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'll worry about Leica's financial security the day that their equipment is discounted due to overstock and not a day sooner.

Ah, you've not been following closely enough... due to their desperate situation, all their equipment is currently being advertised at HALF the recommended price. For example the $22,000 50/0.95 is now being sold for a mere $11,000, and the M is going for a mere $7650 instead of more than $15,000.

Unfortunately they appear to have overdone the discounts as there are now very long waiting lists.

Cheers,

R.

 

[awslee]

PE firm is destroying Leica

 

[jsrockit]

Even with the success of the X series, Fuji's camera business is not profitable and they can't afford to sustain the R&D effort they have on so many models.

How about Fuji as a whole...is it profitable?

 

[willie_901]

How about Fuji as a whole...is it profitable?

Fujifilm Holdings as a whole does not depend on still-camera/lens revenue.

Fujifilm Holdings is a huge corporation with a diverse portfolio of products.The list includes pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, functional materials(including touch-screen components and LCD screens), optical devices (not including cameras), graphic systems an the Toyama Chemical Company.

Fujifilm Holdings' net income from March 2012-March 2013 was $577 million dollars (US).

Fujifilm can subsidize the X-Series for some time. Of course the Board could kill the entire camera operation with a single vote. It doesn't seem wild speculation to assume the X-Series unit of the Digital Imaging division is expected achieve revenue goals set by the Board.

 

[ian_watts]

I'll worry about Leica's financial security the day that their equipment is discounted due to overstock and not a day sooner.

Unfortunately they appear to have overdone the discounts as there are now very long waiting lists.

Jokes aside, there are plenty of discounts to be had at the moment in the UK and the only Leica product with a waiting list of any kind is the 50 APO.

 

[Clark.EE]

M Mount Sony A7

M Mount Sony A7

I have said similar things before.
(Mainly to upset the Leica Clowns)
When Sony release the A7 (not the 7r apparently) in M mount, with a few tweaks, I can see them selling 1 or 2?
Dedicated M mount camera for £1300.00!

Wouldnt be too different to Selling Sony Cameras with Zeiss glass.
As no one seems to rate the Sony glass?

Before anyone says anything I am a Leica Clown too.
Until I can sell my M8 anyway.
Currently listed in the Classifieds by the way.......

 

[airfrogusmc]

The problem I see with the original article is that Leica has never been one to stray to far into automation (and that seems to be what most call innovation. I don't) and I love that. When Canon and Nikon where producing auto focus this and that Leica didn't do all of that. They put their research and development into creating better glass not auto focus. If you like gadgets and getting yourself and your actual experience farther and farther away from the process then go with all the bels and whistles but I'm thankful I have a real alternative to that and this is nothing new. How long did it take Leica to put a meter in an M? The Winogrand's, Frank's and Eisendtadt's didn't need or use one. They knew from experience and they could see and read light.

So I see Leica being in a great spot if they don't screw it up and try to be something they are not. Why compete with them? They never have before why start now? Innovation is and has been for Leica in the simplicity. We now have an alternative to all of that one size fits all mentality that is in the mirrorless and DSLR markets.

 

[jalLee2001]

What blast from the past. The original post reminds me of the hysteria before the M8 and M9 were released. I think there must be a five year cycle on this stuff. Leica will never be able to compete ect ect. To my knowledge-Lieca has shipped more kit and has more profit than ever. But that is second hand.

But I do have one question. How much of Leica does the PE firm have? PE firms don't have an easy go of it in Germany🙂

 

[ian_watts]

But I do have one question. How much of Leica does the PE firm have? PE firms don't have an easy go of it in Germany🙂

49% if I recall correctly.

 

[ian_watts]

As no one seems to rate the Sony glass?

The prime lenses for the A7 (35/F2.8 and 55/F1.8) are second to none.

 

[jsrockit]

Fujifilm Holdings as a whole does not depend on still-camera/lens revenue.

Yep, that was my point.

 

[santela]

If Leica moves away from rangefinder and start doing autofocusing, then why not just get a Fuji? I'm sure by that time Fuji would have came out with its own fullframe offerings.

 

[Eric T]

Leica may evolve to become primarily a lens company. All or nearly all mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras these days can use an M-mount adapter. They are already making autofocus lenses with their S system. Leica is still a leader in optics but gave us leadership in the camera body business decades ago and their current M lineup is just not competitive.
Leica optics with autofocus on a wide variety of mirrorless cameras might be very successful - even at Leica prices.