David,
I agree with most of your views you pointed out
regarding Leica and what if any future they may have.
But I want to mention though, a point no one has
brought up about the possible investors Leica may have
to bring the other foot out of the grave.
You mentioned that no Japanese brand would be
interested though you did mention Cosina and
Panasonic. Has anyone thought that with the recent
release of the F6 and future release of the SP, Nikon
is still very well interested in providing film users
with the best possible equipment? Albeit the new SP is
more of a collectors item with an exuberent price tag
(similiar to Leica Anniversary Titanium perhaps?).
But if they do so, I can only see them furthering the
M line of cameras and lenses; which possibly may spark
more interest in making the S rangfinders in greater
numbers and in new variations. They probably would
not continue with the R series bodies (unfortunately),
but they may keep the R lens as an alternative Manual
Focus F mount line.
I too will continue to use M and R equipment for as
long as I can access them. I can only hope the few
qualified technicians will continue to perform their
magic on restoring these cameras for decades to come
as my Leica's will definitely last longer than I.
Maybe I've had a wee bit too much coffee this
morning...
Gary
