Will you pay $7,195 for the new 50 'cron Asph?

[Araakii]

Its not small beans to professional artists. Why should we support a company that won't serve us? I'd rather support those who do. No different than refusing to eat at a restaurant with expensive food and poor service. Our money is our power in a free market economy. Intelligent people realize that and make use of that power.

I don't think Leica needs the support of these "photographers". They ARE making the best tools for photographers, but that doesn't mean they should let just any one to buy them for cheap. However, if you are famous, you could even get one from them for free (like some of the bloggers or photographers out there).

We all know that Photography is not an easy way to support yourself unless you get to the top. But since you have chosen to become a full time photographer, you should've long realized this aspect of it. Holding grudges against all the people out there with good gears does nothing to enhance your photography, or to get more people to buy your art.

 

[Viktor Sebastian]

Oligarchforum.com > Indulgences > Leica > How many new Leica's will you buy this week?

Oligarchforum.com > Indulgences > Leica > Dilemma: Which village should I bulldoze to make room for my new lens cabinet?

Dang, I was hoping that was a real forum. I would have loved to partake in the responses.

 

[braver]

I get a kick out of the apologists for the wealthy who think nothing of dropping this kind of money on a lens (or watch, or pen, etc.).
The wealthy obey the dictates of Consumerism as much as people who shop Walmart. What makes it more disgusting for me is the self-satisfied, unapologetic privilege it speaks of: I got mine, you can go %#^@ yourself.

What nonsensical negative energy and what a weird thing to get a kick out. Why not take a beautiful picture and get a kick out of that?

 

[Jockos]

I just had a quick look at the EF LENS WORK III, and the 'cron outperforms all the Canon 50s in the MTF charts, the 60 macro however looks sharper wide open than the cron at 5.6.. Is this blasphemy?
The 60 macro is an EF-S lens however, so it's only for APS-C..

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I don't think Leica needs the support of these "photographers". They ARE making the best tools for photographers, but that doesn't mean they should let just any one to buy them for cheap. However, if you are famous, you could even get one from them for free (like some of the bloggers or photographers out there).

We all know that Photography is not an easy way to support yourself unless you get to the top. But since you have chosen to become a full time photographer, you should've long realized this aspect of it. Holding grudges against all the people out there with good gears does nothing to enhance your photography, or to get more people to buy your art.

I have a Hasselblad, two Leicas, and a Canon 5DmkII (plus a lot of other very nice gear) I bought the Canon new, as well as my collection of ZM lenses. I have nothing against people who own nice stuff, because I do too.

My problem is with Leica basically abandoning working photographers. For that reason, I will never buy a new item from them. That's my right in a free society, and if you don't like it, well too damn bad. The people who buy my work don't give a damn about who I buy my gear from; my attitudes toward Leica have not hurt me a bit.

I find it fascinating how many people will blindly defend businesses. We owe business NOTHING. We're the customers, they owe US. I've said this time and again: people who fall all over themselves to defend the actions of businesses only hurt themselves through the higher and higher prices they end up paying when corporate leaders realize that their customers are idiots who will pay ANYTHING.

I'll continue to buy Canon gear because they make great cameras and sell them at realistic prices. Same with Nikon. They actually see professional photographers as a market worth serving. Why should I buy anything from a company that is not committed to serving me? Anything else is a bad investment. This is business for me, I have to make a profit from my work, so I have to be smart about what I buy.

 

[steveyork]

Virtually no professionals, which is what I meant when I said I couldn't afford one because I'm a photographer, buy new Leica gear. I have two M6 bodies, both bought used. No way will I even consider buying anything new from them. Ever. Even if I won the lottery. Their pricing shows a gigantic contempt for those who make photography their life's work, and I refuse to support it. I make sure my Leica purchases do not benefit them one cent.

No top end gear is cheap, no matter the company.

 

[robbeiflex]

Will you pay $7,195 for the new 50 'cron Asph?

Nope, I've got other priorities. It sure would be nice to have the spare change around to do it though. Meanwhile, in the real world I call my own the C-Sonnar rules for my M6 and I'm very happy with that combo. Now it's back to work as a non-photographer to make the money to afford these nice toys. 😉

Cheers,
Rob

 

[Araakii]

My problem is with Leica basically abandoning working photographers. For that reason, I will never buy a new item from them. That's my right in a free society, and if you don't like it, well too damn bad. The people who buy my work don't give a damn about who I buy my gear from; my attitudes toward Leica have not hurt me a bit.

I find it fascinating how many people will blindly defend businesses. We owe business NOTHING. We're the customers, they owe US. I've said this time and again: people who fall all over themselves to defend the actions of businesses only hurt themselves through the higher and higher prices they end up paying when corporate leaders realize that their customers are idiots who will pay ANYTHING.

Leica is the ONLY company that cares about protecting its consumers. Canon/Nikon/Sony pumps out new models every freaking year and they want you to always buy the latest stuff and dump your old gears. Leica on the other hand, "promises" their customers that their gears will not lose a lot of values, and they stick to a production cycle that makes sense to the users. Only Leica and Hasselblad still have parts for all those old cameras that you have from the 50s.

I hate businesses myself in general. Most of them do nothing but harm. But Leica is one of the rare few that actually does what's right and treats their workers fairly. If you list the 20 worst companies in the world. US probably has the majority of them.

 

[bob338]

If you list the 20 worst companies in the world. US probably has the majority of them.

Douche-baggery abounds!

If the US is so horrible, stop buying things that are made here.
I would guess that China has a slightly more horrible track record with employee working conditions, environmental issues, and fair pricing.
The US is under a microscope because our businesses and trade practices are out there for inspection, unlike the vast majority of the rest of the world.

 

[whitecat]

Just too much!

 

[Araakii]

If the US is so horrible, stop buying things that are made here.

Haha, the US is horrible precisely because most things are not made here.

 

[back alley]

i see we are about ready to close this thread...

 

[braver]

We owe business NOTHING. We're the customers, they owe US.

You're not a customer until you pay though. People are paying Leica, Leica is giving them what they want, exchange complete.

Companies don't work for anyone but themselves, which is kinda cold and unpersonal but the other way around doesn't work out either. Companies that think they owe stuff to people who aren't their customers don't last long... in the end people that are customers are no different that people who run companies (in many cases people are both, imagine that!). Leica can't sell their cameras for cheap because artists have no money, artist without money (like myself by the way) should buy cheaper cameras. If you don't agree, try communism and see if you like the quality of cameras that produces.

Makes me think about a recurring pattern with bands, especially on the forums about the bands. I always hate it when bands 'listen to their fans', it makes them churn out crap instead of risking their neck and trying something new. They soon stop being relevant. Still lotsa fans think the band owes them stuff just because their fans and downloaded all their music.

 

[veraikon]

I won´t. 😉 But comparing the data on paper. http://de.leica-camera.com/assets/file/download.php?filename=file_6720.pdf vs e.g. http://www.zeissimages.com/mtf/zm/Planar2.0_50mm_ZM_e.pdf I can say the Apo Summicron is impressive. I wait for real photos. But I´ll never buy it - I ´am far out side the target group 😀

 

[bob338]

Haha, the US is horrible precisely because most things are not made here.

You got me there.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

You're not a customer until you pay though. People are paying Leica, Leica is giving them what they want, exchange complete.

Companies don't work for anyone but themselves, which is kinda cold and unpersonal but the other way around doesn't work out either. Companies that think they owe stuff to people who aren't their customers don't last long... in the end people that are customers are no different that people who run companies (in many cases people are both, imagine that!). Leica can't sell their cameras for cheap because artists have no money, artist without money (like myself by the way) should buy cheaper cameras. If you don't agree, try communism and see if you like the quality of cameras that produces.

Makes me think about a recurring pattern with bands, especially on the forums about the bands. I always hate it when bands 'listen to their fans', it makes them churn out crap instead of risking their neck and trying something new. They soon stop being relevant. Still lotsa fans think the band owes them stuff just because their fans and downloaded all their music.

Most businesses want to expand their customer base. Leica doesn't even try. I'm not 'without money'. I bought a Canon 5DmkII in January for $3000. That's 3 months wages for the average person where I live, so it was not chump change. Canon wanted my business, Leica loses it because when I do buy Leica gear (remember my two M6 bodies and 50mm Summicron?), I buy USED, which gives them zero benefit.

 

[bob338]

Most businesses want to expand their customer base. Leica doesn't even try. I'm not 'without money'. I bought a Canon 5DmkII in January for $3000. That's 3 months wages for the average person where I live, so it was not chump change. Canon wanted my business, Leica loses it because when I do buy Leica gear (remember my two M6 bodies and 50mm Summicron?), I buy USED, which gives them zero benefit.

What makes you think Canon wants you so badly? They're interested in moving as many units as possible, not nurturing clients.

 

[splitimageview]

Most businesses want to expand their customer base. Leica doesn't even try.

Businesses are for profit-making to benefit the shareholders. Market share might be important to some, but not all.

Leica simply cannot compete against Canikon. They have a niche all to themselves, it would be folly to try to court yours (or anyone else's) business with a DSLR for $3k.

 

[Ken Ford]

What makes you think Canon wants you so badly? They're interested in moving as many units as possible, not nurturing clients.

Same = same.

 

[Araakii]

I buy USED, which gives them zero benefit.

Buying used still indirectly benefits Leica, because the other person who might want to buy your used would have to buy a new one if there's no used in the market.