That is if Leica Camera survives that long. Their prices did not come down with the advent of the other rangefinders...it won't be coming down now.
Blah blah blah blah...
Leica Camera AG Q1 financial results for 2011/2012 fiscal year are out | Leica News & Rumors
"Leica Camera Group maintained its growth during the first quarter of the new fiscal year. At EUR 72,313,000, sales were 28.7% up on the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year (EUR 56,176,000), while the consolidated net income for the period under review, influenced by such factors as a higher contribution margins, rose by EUR 1,403,000 to EUR10,829,000 (previous year EUR 9,426,000).
Due to the continuing strong demand the number of people employed by the Group rose to 1,152 (previous year 1,083).
For the 2011/2012 fiscal year the Board of Management anticipates further sales growth, pushing our EBIT well over the 20 million euro mark."
Leica Camera AG with record sales for 2011, intends to pay dividend | Leica News & Rumors
"Leica Camera AG announced record sales for the fiscal year 2011: EUR 248.9 million (compared to EUR 158.2 million for 2010) - this is an increase of more than 57%. The operating profit is EUR 42.4 million (compared to EUR 7.4 million for 2010). Net income rose to EUR 30.4 million (previous year: EUR 3.2 million)."
Prices are up at least from the US standpoint because world wide demand is up, supply is limited due to labor intensive process, and the dollar is down. Lots of expensive items are going the same way.. in part due to the rising middle and affluent classes in China. Glad I bought almost all the glass that was of interest to me more than 5 years ago. Couldn't afford it now. Btw... look at BH and
Adorama stock of Leica M glass. They've been out of stock for months now because of the demand.
As I said the M-mount camera was built as intended for the current Leica M-users. They didn't want all that technology. What they want is a digital version of the Leica film M's. It doesn't mean that the company itself doesn't embrace change. They did exactly that with the discontinuation of the R-series (not enough resources to keep it going plus start new ventures) and the creation of the Leica S2.... which is by all means forward looking (Ex OLED top information panel). Also, have you ever looked at the insides of a M8/M9? Its TIGHT!! Bigger screen, bigger battery? what space. Smallest full frame camera really does mean that space is limited.
I didn't agree with the closet Leicaphile comment that Helen made at first... but ... now i'm starting to agree with it. lol Lots of blanket statements being made with little understanding behind them.
Small camera with large sensor and interchangeable lenses...yup...
Both do that. ergo...functionally they occupy the same niche.
Clueless... yup. Fuji has a crop sensor... NEX is smaller than the both.
Crop sensor + interchangeable lenses yup... means that DSLRs are functionally and occupy the same as Mirrorless cameras? The Fuji X100 is functionally the same as a P&S. etc... ?? You can keep repeating it and its still illogical statement.