How many of you have not bought an M9 but would if a real chrome one came out?

[eleskin]

I am happy with my M8, and although I have tested the M9 twice, I see some improvement over the M8 but not thousands of dollars worth in actual picture taking and printing, especially in Black and White. In a way I am waiting for the M9.2 or M10. There is another issue, however trivial to actual picture taking, for me. I would plunk down the cash right now if the M9 came in a real chrome finish. Paint just doesn't do it for me. Some may like it , but for 7K, I think Leica could do better. It cant be an issue of the chrome process polluting because Leica produces small numbers of cameras compared to Canon and nikon (they still chrome the M7 and MP, so what the hell?).

So who would buy right now (as economically painful as it is for some, including me) if Leica announced at Photokina that the M9 wold also be available in real chrome?

 

[drewbarb]

Forgive me- but is this a serious question?

 

[semilog]

^-- What drewbarb asked.

 

[sojournerphoto]

does it really matter?!

 

[Richard G]

Come on guys, it's a Leica. Fair question. No. I would like that option though. I just bought a chrome M5. I had only ever seen one before, in the Leica manual. I would like one black camera again some day.

 

[maggieo]

I'm with the others... "Huh?" What difference does the camera color make?

Well, if you look at prices for black M4s, M2s and M3s on eBay, I'd say a couple thousands dollars of difference. 😉

I'd like to see a chrome M9, myself. I like chrome cameras. Ideally, I'd have a chrome M9 with an old school Vulcanite-style covering. My chrome M8 is wearing very nicely, as is my chrome 1964 M2.

 

[nonot]

Come on, camera aesthetics play a huge part to many many people, pros and amateurs alike. Personally I couldn't care less, I'm partial to black cameras however also decidedly not partial enough to pay any extra for the exact same product finished a certain way.

 

[shadowfox]

Pardon me, but I'm with the 'huh?' crowd up there 😀

 

[user237428934]

"Man, if they built a real chrome one, I bought it instantly" sounds better than "Hm. Would like to, but I don't have the money for it". Thank you for this brand new excuse 🙂

 

[tightsqueez]

I always yearned for a black paint Leica M. After owning a black paint M9 for some time now, I must say I absolutely loathe the way it wears. It's borderline gaudy. However it is a tool and I'll use it until it's dead.

Now if they offered a flat dark gray or black chrome finish, I may jump on something like that.

A Beryllium M9 would be perfect for work though!

 

[E.M]

For me it wouldn't make a lot of difference , but if I had a choice , I'd choose for the chrome .

http://www.etiennemichiels.com

 

[Pherdinand]

LOL LOL
yea, that's the only thing that stops me. If there was a real chrome one i would buy two.

And a rhodium one too, please.

 

[LeicaTom]

I'm waiting on the RLM Grey one............. LOL!!!!!!! 😀

No really honestly, they need to GET BETTER PAINT on the M9's the black paint ones look real crappy as they wear, doesn't look like a good wear as on the vintage M3/M4 black paint, paints were, the new paint's too thin.......you'd expect more from a $7,000+ camera - sigh! 🙁

I'm hoping the M10 is done in real chrome and has all the bugs worked out ala full frame - finally!

Tom

 

[maggieo]

I like the black chrome on my M4-P. It's cool and wears well.

 

[MartinP]

Assuming that all the chrome-loving M9 owners will immediately sell their current models in order to buy the 'real chrome' version, then the second-hand price will fall to almost nothing and I'll buy two not-chrome cameras. Thanks.

 

[250swb]

I'm proud to say I have never purchased a camera based on the surface finish. I can't think of anything more shallow and fickle, why do you need the camera anyway? Obviously not to use for making photographs, but perhaps to accessorise with a nice fitted leather case and a poodle dyed to match the Leica logo?

If you need the camera buy it, if you have to wait for a chrome version you don't need it or are just wanting a collectable. This shouldn't be a consideration for photographers.

Steve

 

[kevin m]

I need a new computer, but I'm holding out for a chrome iMac.

 

[Vickko]

If a real chrome M9 came out at $2250, I'd buy it immediately 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

And how many would have refused to buy one if there had been no black paint version?

Yes, I prefer black paint. Would this stop me buying chrome if that had been the only option? Get real!

Cheers,

R.

 

[rya]

Here is how I bought mine:

I called the dealer on the phone and said, "do you have an M9?"

"Yes, I do. What color do you want?"

"Oh, I'm not sure. How does the grey one look?"

"I don't know either, but you're getting a black one."

I thanked and paid him.