[LRflex] Re: Leica's latest figures
- From: Steve Barbour <steve.barbour@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 23:21:42 -0700
On Aug 7, 2009, at 10:56 PM, Philippe Amard wrote:
Thanks David
I knew most of it yet there are times I'd like to have an S2 of
course.
But I can't see myself carrying so much along (lb and U$ or kg and
euros) on my trips.
A G1 sized camera would do nicely then such as here
http://tinyurl.com/nebtvh
a totally magnificent , beautiful, technically correct image...
I don't know what it was shot with, nor do I want to know...
Somehow I'm thinking how silly and full of hubris we are, ie anyone
is, who thinks their images are inherently so important, so valuable,
so good, that they (the person and the images) are worthy of an
S2...it all seems so/yes laughable...
If HCB did it with an M3, and we are all so clearly in a different
league, how funny is it that we think if we had an S2, our images
would be that much better, or more important...that we would be
famous. Hey friends, let's get real.
Yes, it makes me laugh, and no I haven't had a drop of alcohol...but
with an S2, our images might be, in fact, more technically secure,
more correct or even impressive, but they will be forgotten tomorrow,
all the same, just as readily as yesterday's which were shot with
whatever...
since it's not about the lens, or the box, it's about the eye...
seems clear now...
tomorrow may be different.
Steve
Best from Metz
Amitiés
Philippe
David Young wrote:
Philippe wrote:
Thanks Douglas,
let them get a Digital R out and I break the piggy bank for them
at once.
Listed my R8 on Ebay this morning BTW
Good Morning, Philippe!
You may have missed this, in reading the digests from when you were
away, but Leica have cancelled all plans for the R line, offering
only an "adequate solution" for using existing R glass on a digital
camera, "eventually".
Their original plan was to build the S2, and then adapt it's
technology to the mythical R10. However, in these hard times, the
S2, itself, is proving to be a struggle. When it was envisioned,
it was a marvellous idea ... compete with Mamiya, Hassy and other
medium format cameras, with a camera no larger than a Nikon D3.
It would save a photographer from having two systems - and, in the
end, save him money. And it would impart a huge cachet to the
consumer "R" line.
But, like all things Leica, it is now late to production and over
budget. It is that over-budget problem which has forced the
cancellation of the R10 and the delay of Leitz Park, in Wetzlar, by
two years.
When they committed to it, the grand plan made sound financial
sense. The economy was good and the idea, brilliant. They would
show the world that, once again, Leica was an innovative company
with superb engineering. (The reports I have, from those who've
seen early units, say it is an amazing camera.)
But now that we are in recessionary times, I wonder how many
photographers will turf their existing Hassy/Canon combinations to
flock to Leica when they're having trouble making ends meet, like
everybody else.
BTW, if you an LHSA member, and attending the Seattle convention
this coming October, you'll be able to "borrow" an S2 for the
measly sum of just $450 per day. Of course, if you actually
purchase an S2, they'll apply the US$450 to the purchase price.
(Very decent of them!) As of the other day, demand for trying the
S2 was so strong that if you counted each "borrower" on the fingers
of one hand, you'd still several fingers unaccounted for!
True, they can still book the S2 until the end of August, but this
level of interest does not bode well for a firm which has "bet the
farm" on the S2.
For myself. The S2 is simply beyond my financial capabilities ...
no matter how much I save. The cancellation of the R line has me
resigned to the fact that I will never own a Leica again. I will
continue to use the Leica glass I have, on whatever bodies I can
adapt it to, but it is unlikely that I will buy any more.
And, if most are like me, the future of Leica does not look good.
Cheers!
PS: Thanks, Douglas, for providing the info. Somehow, I'm not
surprised.
---
David Young
Logan Lake, BC
Wildlife Photos: www.furnfeather.net
Rodeo Photos: www.galleries.furnfeather.net
Personal Website: www.main.furnfeather.net
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best,
Steve
steve.barbour@xxxxxxxxx
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