[mst]

Well, the majority of Leica's customer base can probably be described as "very conservative". They still make a lot of money with their film cameras, for example. And I don't think any other manufacturer would have had any success with a camera like the M-D.

 

Their business works because of their long-standing reputation, the build quality of their products (undeniably outstanding), both combined with above mentioned customers, and lack of competition in their niche.