So ... how much longer will Leica manufacture film cameras?

[Keith]

I realise they are only making them to demand these days basically but I'm curious to see if they continue to do so. Maybe just a small batch every couple of years or so to be sold as collector items?

They now have all bases covered with the new Monochrom and have released a stripped down M9 in the guise of the M-E ... which isn't that much dearer than an MP or M7.

Will demand for their two remaining film cameras drop even more than it is to the point where they just call it quits and utilise the space being taken for assembly of these for something more productive?

Looking at eBay and our classifieds ... does the world really need any more film Ms?

 

[Bob Michaels]

The last new film camera or lens I bought was a Canon AE-1 probably 30 years ago. There are just too many good deals out there in used but almost new equipment to buy new. I suspect the supply of used film cameras and lenses will be sufficient to last for the rest of my lifetime. So I have no problems if no one ever manufacturers another film camera.

 

[peteography]

They've kinda done it with the M3, M2, MP & M7. For me at least.

I'll stick to feds till I can afford one.

 

[bugmenot]

Well, given Leica will still take your more than half a century old Leica M3 and repair it (for a rather significant repair cost), and replace components on it, I don't think producing a small amount of film cameras for Leica will be a problem in the future. They still have a market for it in Asian countries after all ...

 

[jschrader]

maybe they stopped already and have some 100 left to sell. They will announce the end shortly before it's over.

No, they would produce another "the last 100" series with engravings for collectors.

But You are right, there are enough cameras around in the world, no one needs a new camera.

 

[benmacphoto]

I thought for a second today that the M-E was a new film camera.
Ha.

Once 2015 comes and movie theaters in America switch to digital projection, film production will come to a grinding halt.
Just before that point, I think Leica will announce that it will no longer make 35mm film cameras.

 

[zuiko85]

I doubt even Leica knows how much longer they will make M film cameras. I can just imagine them sitting around the home office and debating that question as much as the RFF crowd here. Tradition may demand at least some continued trickle of legacy film RF's.

 

[kokoshawnuff]

They may soon just offer them special order. But I think Leica is the one brand that can sell enough $5k film cameras to at least make a profit when it comes to production cost.

 

[zuiko85]

Even with "enough" used film M's for the proletariat there must be some folks well off enough to want a new MP. They have the disposable income and using film is hip and of course it has to be a Leica for the name recognition.

 

[Archlich]

Even with "enough" used film M's for the proletariat there must be some folks well off enough to want a new MP. They have the disposable income and using film is hip and of course it has to be a Leica for the name recognition.

Want a metered black paint M4? You can either wait for years or save up and shell out for it.

 

[Brian Legge]

They seem to be boutique enough that as long as there is demand (willing to put down enough cash) I can imagine they'll keep doing it.

As long as they have parts on hand for repair (and are any common with the current digital Ms?) I imagine making new cameras makes sense.

 

[sazerac]

That's why I bought my MP when I could - I knew the camera will outlast me! Based on the prices of the new digital bodies, I still have decades worth of film that I could buy before I would come close to the cost of a digital body.