[LRFlex] Re: Leica article.

Douglas Sharp posted:

"Leica Camera AG announced on Monday that their banks have partially closed the
companys credit lines. The basis for this decision is the announcement dated
17th of February in which Leica expects that the losses, calculated to March
2005,will comprise one half of the company capital. 

<<huge snip>>


In a private note to me, Douglas said the only error in this translation was the Date... which should have been 31 May, not 31 March.

Still, this is not good news. Sadly, not unexpected either.

Speculating on potential buyers... Cosina springs to mind as the most able to use the Leica brand-name to advantage. However, Matsushita (Panasonic) has the funds and could be interested, if only to continue using the name on their lenses.

I agree, I cannot see Hermes pouring more money into Leica. More likely they'll be looking to bail, recovering what they can.

Hasselblad has no money. They own Imacon, and will take a big enough hit from the DM-R.

None of the major Japanese brands have any need for the name, as I see it.

I'd like to see Leica survive on their own, though I don't think it is likely.

Without a major partner magically appearing, I think Leica will soon join Voigtlander as a wonderful German name, but nothing more. :(

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All that being said, I have no intentions of stopping using my Leicas. They are built well enough to last my lifetime.

Nor will this list disappear, for I think most of us feel the same way.

LeiCanon's and the photos made with them, have been and will continue to be welcome here. And if someone comes up with a way to use Leica glass on any other brand of body, discussion and photos from that will be welcome, too!






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David Young,     | égalité, liberté,
Victoria, CANADA | fraternité et Beaujolais.

Personal Web-site at:
        http://www.horizon.bc.ca/~dnr
Leica Reflex Forum web-page:
        http://www.horizon.bc.ca/~dnr/lrflex.htm

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