giganova
Well-known
Problem is that everyone thinks information should be free, so nobody is willing to pay money, even if it's only $25/year.
B-9
Devin Bro
Information is free 
The beauty of our digital age, just about anything is available at our fingertips via our smart devices.
The beauty of our digital age, just about anything is available at our fingertips via our smart devices.
Brian Legge
Veteran
Information has value because it drives eyes to webpages. It's difficult to keep information people want to see from becoming free. And with publication taking minutes, for-pay info can become free quickly.
People pay for the promise of information they wouldn't get elsewhere, for curated information to reduce the time needed to consume it and for time sensitive information.
People pay for the promise of information they wouldn't get elsewhere, for curated information to reduce the time needed to consume it and for time sensitive information.
KM-25
Well-known
Information is free
The beauty of our digital age, just about anything is available at our fingertips via our smart devices.
It's not entirely "free"...in some cases, it costs someone revenue or even their job and when that happens, that person no longer consumes as much of *your* product or service or the product and or service of *your* employer.
In the coming years, there will be more and more job loss and personal costs associated with the "Freeconomy"....then the information age hangover will truly set in, badly.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I'm on the fence.
I'm pretty sure I can afford the 25 fee, but as stated elsewhere, I'm not sure what I gain from membership (let alone the fee) that pegs my interest and desire with Leica stuff.
All said, I'd probably join and see what its like. Then make a decision after a while...
There have been some positive suggestions/ideas among the posts so far. e.g., I'd love to see a twice-annual (or so) publication with example work, tips from folks who know more than I how to use Leica gear, announcements related to the Leica world, etc. However, such things cost more $$ than many folks think.
And, while many can afford a fee greater than $25, I must say its always easier to spend smaller amounts on "intangibles" (no offense to the society concept). And besides, at $50 and above my wife starts asking questions...
And one last thing that threads like this make me think about....I wonder if the general public realize that websites (including forums) are not free of cost? Examples I'm associated with have been able to absorb those costs and they have been relatively low the last few years. But, higher traffic and higher maintenance needs can raise the cost. Mostly its electricity and physical location (rent), but also the occasional need for hardware replacement/upgrade can be substantial. Then there's time.... Ask Stephen about that part. I'm appreciative of the existence of RFF.
I'm pretty sure I can afford the 25 fee, but as stated elsewhere, I'm not sure what I gain from membership (let alone the fee) that pegs my interest and desire with Leica stuff.
All said, I'd probably join and see what its like. Then make a decision after a while...
There have been some positive suggestions/ideas among the posts so far. e.g., I'd love to see a twice-annual (or so) publication with example work, tips from folks who know more than I how to use Leica gear, announcements related to the Leica world, etc. However, such things cost more $$ than many folks think.
And, while many can afford a fee greater than $25, I must say its always easier to spend smaller amounts on "intangibles" (no offense to the society concept). And besides, at $50 and above my wife starts asking questions...
And one last thing that threads like this make me think about....I wonder if the general public realize that websites (including forums) are not free of cost? Examples I'm associated with have been able to absorb those costs and they have been relatively low the last few years. But, higher traffic and higher maintenance needs can raise the cost. Mostly its electricity and physical location (rent), but also the occasional need for hardware replacement/upgrade can be substantial. Then there's time.... Ask Stephen about that part. I'm appreciative of the existence of RFF.
rgeorge911
Established
Info only
Info only
I'm a member of LHSA, and find the benefits to be more than online information. But, I'm not here to, nor will I participate in a debate; this is for each person to consider and decide on their own.
For information purposes, however, I'll point out that my membership is the electronic option, which gets me the Viewfinder in pdf form, and access to all older issues. That membership cost is $60 per year.
Best,
Reed
Info only
I'm a member of LHSA, and find the benefits to be more than online information. But, I'm not here to, nor will I participate in a debate; this is for each person to consider and decide on their own.
For information purposes, however, I'll point out that my membership is the electronic option, which gets me the Viewfinder in pdf form, and access to all older issues. That membership cost is $60 per year.
Best,
Reed
pepeguitarra
Well-known
What happened to LHSA?
What happened to LHSA?
Can we use the experience of LHSA as a guide? Have them been successful? I do enjoy buying their magazines (old) with very good articles. Is belonging to a Leica society going to make me a better photographer? Probably not. Give status, probably not. Get some discounts somewhere? Probably not. So I expect nothing from such an organization. Therefore, I am in. Put me down for up to $25 per month.
BTW, I used to lead an organization that helped unemployed colleagues find jobs through networking, contacts, etc. If you are looking for a job, let us know where to read your resume. We can include that in the new organization. The more jobs people have, the more Leica they buy.
What happened to LHSA?
Can we use the experience of LHSA as a guide? Have them been successful? I do enjoy buying their magazines (old) with very good articles. Is belonging to a Leica society going to make me a better photographer? Probably not. Give status, probably not. Get some discounts somewhere? Probably not. So I expect nothing from such an organization. Therefore, I am in. Put me down for up to $25 per month.
BTW, I used to lead an organization that helped unemployed colleagues find jobs through networking, contacts, etc. If you are looking for a job, let us know where to read your resume. We can include that in the new organization. The more jobs people have, the more Leica they buy.
PMCC
Late adopter.
scigeek
Well-known
Yep (3 characters) .
Eric T
Well-known
Stephen - great idea. Such an organization could be very helpful. I would join.
And the cost is NOT high. It costs money to organize and collate ideas.
But I agree with Lasse - please dont' put it on Facebook.
And the cost is NOT high. It costs money to organize and collate ideas.
But I agree with Lasse - please dont' put it on Facebook.
nickthetasmaniac
Veteran
Ah, but it's not paying $25/year for information, it's paying $25/year to give information away...
I'm not sure if I've missed the primary function of this society, but I'm not sure why I would pay money so that I could give Leica advice? End of the day, Leica is a for-profit business - if they want to do market research they can pay for it themselves.
ajramirez
Established
I would join.
Godfrey
somewhat colored
I still don't see the point.
The LHSA does a good job of tracking Leica historically. Other Leica forums have relationships with Leica that already provide beta testing and early access to new products from time to time. Any user can send their suggestions and frustrations to Leica via their customer service, bug reporting, and direct messages to head honchos as desired. In my experience doing so, Leica folks have been responsive and candid.
Why should anyone pay for yet another forum/organization doing the same thing again? Why would anyone want to start such a thing other than to promote their own personal agenda?
Sorry, not for me.
G
The LHSA does a good job of tracking Leica historically. Other Leica forums have relationships with Leica that already provide beta testing and early access to new products from time to time. Any user can send their suggestions and frustrations to Leica via their customer service, bug reporting, and direct messages to head honchos as desired. In my experience doing so, Leica folks have been responsive and candid.
Why should anyone pay for yet another forum/organization doing the same thing again? Why would anyone want to start such a thing other than to promote their own personal agenda?
Sorry, not for me.
G
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
I could go with paying $25 to keep the clubhouse bar stocked.
Seriously (?), it seems like a "society" like this should be a membership of folks that enjoy sharing ideas. That shouldn't cost money. If any expenses did occur, like paying for a event/meeting place, then the membership would share cost equally. I belong to a society that operates like this and it feels perfectly democratic, with no notion of hierarchy. Everyone in the group feels like an equal with everyone else, including the volunteer responsibility sharing.
Seriously (?), it seems like a "society" like this should be a membership of folks that enjoy sharing ideas. That shouldn't cost money. If any expenses did occur, like paying for a event/meeting place, then the membership would share cost equally. I belong to a society that operates like this and it feels perfectly democratic, with no notion of hierarchy. Everyone in the group feels like an equal with everyone else, including the volunteer responsibility sharing.
radi(c)al_cam
Well-known
Bill Clark
Veteran
Quite a few pages on Facebook are on photography.
Leica has a nice representation along with many others.
Quite a few pages on visual arts, like this one:
https://www.facebook.com/Arte.Art.Arte/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Whatever.
I enjoy FB. I can pick and choose my friends and what I like. It's easy peasy to upload photos and videos.
Of course, you can forget it all and not join.
Leica has a nice representation along with many others.
Quite a few pages on visual arts, like this one:
https://www.facebook.com/Arte.Art.Arte/?ref=ts&fref=ts
Whatever.
I enjoy FB. I can pick and choose my friends and what I like. It's easy peasy to upload photos and videos.
Of course, you can forget it all and not join.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Information is free
The beauty of our digital age, just about anything is available at our fingertips via our smart devices.
Given enough time to sift through the 70 - 90% of non-relevant or incorrect information one finds tangled up in the truth.
I did LHSA for a short time, never found it to be of any use. Wouldn't join.
mslatfly
Member
I'm a new Leica user, and would be interested.
vladimir
vladimir
New Leica Society would be a good idea, but it would have to have a J.V. Stalin style elections as too much democracy is counter productive. Even that great democrat W. Churchill said so. Also only $25 annual due is much too low to be taken seriously.
Pioneer
Veteran
This is the cost of a magazine subscription. Will it result in my receiving as much useful information as I get from my current subscriptions? If so then it is worth the subscription, if not then I would cancel.
I am interested and would be willing to subscribe for the 1st year. Anything longer requires the information and benefits to have been worth at least $25. If this society gets up and running then feel free to include me in the founding group.
As for advising Leica, not too sure that is necessary in my case. The M-A was targeted right at me and I bought it the minute it was available. If it holds up like the rest of their film cameras I probably will not need another Leica camera for the rest of my life.
I am interested and would be willing to subscribe for the 1st year. Anything longer requires the information and benefits to have been worth at least $25. If this society gets up and running then feel free to include me in the founding group.
As for advising Leica, not too sure that is necessary in my case. The M-A was targeted right at me and I bought it the minute it was available. If it holds up like the rest of their film cameras I probably will not need another Leica camera for the rest of my life.