Jono,
I agree that they will sell....maybe not to the market they claimed to have targeted so much, but the others you mention will buy. That will not a success make, in my opinion. If they are fortunate to sell a body and lens, maybe two lenses, to that group, it is done. On the other hand, were they to sell the bodies nearer cost, they could get more into the market, and make up ground on the lenses. There is no other option for lenses to work on the S2, so a buyer is locked in. If the body were more affordable to those that may actually use it, there would still be good lens sales for them. The lens prices are not too far beyond what folks sort of expect from Leica, and if they deliver, as expected, there will be folks wanting those optics.
I understand your point about selling for margin, but I think that should be applied more to the lenses, and not the body at this point, but that is just my thinking on this. Fair to say, more disappointment on my part, as I was seriously thinking about the S2 to become a serious system for my needs, but at nearly $75K to get in (couple of bodies plus the glass), it is too much for me. If the price were closer to $45-50k for the same two bodies and all the glass, it would be a much more realistic consideration in my mind. Leica could still charge full fare for the glass, as it may really be worth it, but the bodies are most likely going to be used and replaced more often, so they need to be more affordable. Again, just my thinking on this. I understand your perspective, but remain disheartened by Leica's chosen scheme. It more or less worked for the M8, but there was a huge installed lens base and alternatives to help fuel the drive for the body. That is not the case with the S2.
LJ