[LRflex] Re: why leicas are expensive
- From: Douglas Sharp <douglas.sharp@xxxxxx>
- To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2005 17:31:50 +0100
Javier,
one of the main problems is still the fact that the cost of employing
someone (to the employer) in Germany is exorbitant.
Social security, half of the health insurance, pension contributions,
unemployment benefit contributions etc etc
Leica is of course strung up by the goolies because they can't really
afford to give up the "Made in Germany" aspect of the business.
At present they are trying to reduce their workforce again, a hard
battle with the workers council over "golden handshakes" and other
benefits is very much the order of the day, supposed to be going to be
resolved today, so we can expect more news in the paper tomorrow or on
Monday..
At present there are about 400 people at Leica in Germany (nearly a
thousand total around the world includig Germany), I expect Leica will
attempt to halve this number. In the middle of the last crisis Leica
management mentioned that it would be more expensive to lay people off
than to keep them working, this gives a little insight into the
economics of the thing.
Douglas
Javier Perez wrote:
>I think the reason has changed over time. Ms were more
>expensive to build, largely because of the RF. But
>that feat of the 50s could be duplicated by any
>competent optical firm today. The Leicaflexes were
>another story. They are easily the most sophisticated
>mechanical SLRs ever designed. They leave the
>Contarexes in the dust IMHO. Not sure what the parts
>count is but I would guess it set an SLR record. I
>would also guess that a flex built today would easily
>cost 5000.
>
>Today, though, I think it's more snob appeal than
>anything else.
>They still make the best camera bodies but the only
>competitors in the class are the Cosinas the Zeiss,
>maybe the Hexar and I guess the Nikon fm/4.
>
>Of course, the lenses are absolutely great and there
>is no other R entry point except an R or a flex!
>
>Javier
>
>
>
>
>
>>sub mani <kpsubramani@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>I checked many cameras for price. I found leica
>>>cameras are very expensive than Nikon or canon.
>>>Could anyone tell me what could be the reason. Is
>>>
>>>
>>it
>>
>>
>>>because of sheer brand image
>>>
>>>
>>There are numerous detractors of the brand who claim
>>it's all because of the brand image.
>>
>>Consider the cost of small-volume, hand manufacture
>>vs. high-volume automated manufacture; also consider
>>the cost of planned non-obsolescence: Leica
>>maintains stocks of repair parts for many decades
>>beyond a product's discontinuation, which few other
>>manufacturers do.
>>
>>The lenses are in a class by themselves. Other
>>manufacturers make selected lenses that may equal
>>Leica lenses at moderate apertures while the vast
>>majority of Leica lenses outperform other brands at
>>full aperture. In order to take full advantage of
>>Leica lenses, it's best to use a Leica body.
>>
>>Also consider ergonomic design; it's not something
>>you can put into numbers to compare with competing
>>brands.
>>
>>I was a detractor until I tried the Leicaflex SL and
>>400mm f/6.8 Telyt. The ergonomic design is a
>>delight, the results on film were clearly better
>>than I had been getting with Nikon equipment, and
>>now 30+ years later Leica still services and
>>re-warrantees the SL. Each of us must decide
>>individually whether the higher initial cost of
>>Leica equipment is worthwhile. It has been for me.
>>
>>
>>Doug Herr
>>Birdman of Sacramento
>>http://www.wildlightphoto.com
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>
>
>
>
>
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