Its market? As I said, exchangeable-lens cameras intended for professional use.
It has always been pitched as a photojournalist's camera (even if the majority of sales are not to photojournalists - but that is probably true of most other photojournalists' cameras), and its reputation is based on its use in photojournalism. Consequently I think it should be compared with other photojournalism cameras. This means the Nikon F and D series, and the various Canons which have been prominent in that market. If we include Pentaxes which were big in photojournalism then all we really have is the Spotmatic, with the LX at a squeeze. They're both bigger than the Leicas. What 35mm SLRs were around in 1954 when the M3 was introduced? At best you'd be comparing it with TLRs, which are much bigger than the Leicas. Here's a story from last week about the unobtrusive M3. People were gathering on the terrace for a barbecue in the evening. I wandered down with my M3, hoping to take a few discrete snaps as the light faded. I raised the camera to my eye to grab a shot of man & pork in perfect harmony, and before I could press the button some uncouth, mastodon-like teenager bellowed "Bloody 'ell is that a Leica? - let's 'ave a look!". -- Cheers, Bob > -----Original Message----- > From: Shel Belinkoff [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: 07 August 2005 18:22 > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: Enough Already! > > What is its market? If the market is interchangeable lens > rangefinders, both the Bessa R series and the Konica Hexar > are lighter, the Bessa is smaller as well, and the Konica, > while similar in size, actually has less volume. Why does > the Leica have to be compared with the top-end Nikons and > Canons. Why not an earlier SLR, made about the time of the > M-series introduction through the advent of the huge Nikon > and Canon bodies? > > Shel > > > > [Original Message] > > From: Bob W > > > I would say it has always been at the small end of camera & > lens sizes > > in its market. > > > > Among exchangeable-lens cameras intended for professional > applications > > it has been at the small end since it came out, and > continues to be. > > Some Pentax M and Olympus OM cameras don't change the overall > > tendency. It has > to > > be compared with the top-end Nikons and Canons. > > > > >
