[Leica] Re: Leica bashing

["Roger Beamon" <roger@beamon.org>]

On 14 Nov 98, Walter S Delesandri wrote, at least in part:

> Well, I found the article summary amusing, but not offensive.

<snip>

Whew! Considering that I have been accused of being vaccinated 
with a Victrola needle, I can't carry your lunch, Walter, but I'll try. 
Interesting, though provocative, well written and, for this day and 
age, well spelled; I wade through your musings and obvious 
professional envy.

As W3BFM, I must clarify your Collins Radio analogy. Collins ham 
equipment (much like Leica gear 35 years ago) was treasured by 
*users* (collectors nearly unknown) during its hay day. There 
was absolutely no competition for it during its span of 
manufacturing years. All the Globe, Hallicrafters, Drake etc. 
equipment could not begin to match the specs. of the Collins line, 
albeit at a price. Leica both collected and used concurrently is 
different.

Only when Collins terminated manufacturing of ham equipment 
(when was it - late 70s, maybe? Damn CRS!)) did their equipment 
become sought after by collectors. These collectors were mostly 
in the U.S. at the outset, but, as time passed, the collector 
market transferred to Japan. By then, and continuing through the 
present, Collins lost its reputation in today's U.S. ham shack. The 
modern Kenwood, Yaesu and Icom equipment, using today's 
technology, have long ago eclipsed Collins' specs and continue to 
rewrite the specs on an ongoing basis.

If Leica discontinues production, for whatever reasons, the 
collectors will quickly buy up all they can find available and only  
OFs like us will mourn our loss and continue to use Leica in spite 
of what Canon/Minolta/Nikon et.al. will offer. Already, Leicas are 
being snapped up by the Asian collectors (not many users among 
them). Do they know something that we don't?

I pray that this scenario is incorrect, but it must be difficult to 
continue slinging rocks at the giants. Leica needs an "A bomb" and 
our continued support and evangelism, from both users and 
collectors.

Lastly, (finger pointed) listen to me, I did not have sex with that 
camera...er...Leica camera.
- --
Roger
mailto:roger@beamon.org

     If we can prevent the government
     from wasting the labors of the people
     under the pretense of caring for them,
     they will be happy.
               -- Thomas Jefferson