Wow! As a digest reader, there certainly is a lot to
"digest" in today's post. Thanks for the many thoughts about
the direction of Leica and its cameras.
I think the S2 is the only move that Leica could make that
might have a chance in the marketplace. If one prices the
available digital offerings from (or for) Hasselblad, Rollei
and Sinar, the S2 body falls right in line, and I doubt that
Hasselblad can cut their costs enough to make a big
difference. So, the competition is in the difference between
lens lines. In that area, Hasselblad has no advantages over
Rollei and/or Schneider, and certainly not Leica. Lenses
that live up to Leica performance standards should fare well
and be attractive to professionals. Service is another issue
that may impact decisions, and in that area, Leica may need
some help based on the experiences reported in this list. My
own experience is limited to one repair done by Sherry, and
I am thoroughly satisfied with her work and turnaround time.
I'm a bit more skeptical about the R10, though. Even if it
arrives as an R7 sized body with a FF sensor, its price will
have to fall in line with FF bodies from N and C to stand a
chance. But, one issue that I haven't seen discussed is the
possibility that the R10 could stifle S2 sales (or vice
versa). By the time the R10 is a reality, a >20 megapixel
sensor is likely to be the standard. As FF 35mm digital has
already eaten into many medium format applications, more
products in that area may only serve to further erode that
market. Alternatively, those who buy into the S2 would have
little or no reason to invest in an R10. I sense that we R
afficianados are by and large an aging bunch who are not in
a position to give our retirement funds to Leica. ;-) So,
who are the R10 customers 3 years from now?
