$26,500!!!! Leica M9 Titanium

I think there is incredible entertainment value in this video, it's hilarious! To be honest, I don't get why people are upset about Leica trying to sell this thing for 26k. If there are people willing to buy it for whatever reason, even to take pictures, then Leica is there to meet that need. Personally, if I had the 26k for gear I'd go for an M9 an MP and a selection of great lenses, but who am I to fault someone for how they spend their own money?

It's something like the Vertu mobile phones that people pay tens of thousands of dollars/euros/pounds for when they all know full well that the free one their mobile provider gives them does the same thing.
 
f16sunshine said:
This video shows clearly that Leica does not understand that Photographs are what photography is about. If they want to continue with the "Luxury Brand" theme eventually they will lose photographers completely. If Leica focuses the energy they waste on branding these special edition cameras to elite citizens. They may actually get back to the core of what Cameras and lenses are for......Photography.
Click to expand...

We being here in this forum shows that at least for us photography is about more than just photographs. For some it is about gear, or social interaction, for some it might even be about social status. For Leica it's probably mostly about making a profit.

This m9 will not change how well your camera takes a picture, so it should not affect you if you feel that photography is just about photographs. Leica's strategy will not loose them photographers, because they tend to care mostly about photographs.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
So very very lame.

Anyways, the video has it's own built-in contradiction: you can whip out the camera quickly, but then you have to slowly focus the thing!

If speed is of the essence, then the guy should be using an auto-focus system.
 
That video is so genius. It rivals the Windows Launch Party videos by Microsoft (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cX4t5-YpHQ). I would love to be a fly on the wall in the room when the producers were dreaming this video up...

"Lets cut to his hand removing the camera from the holster 3 times!"
"No Hans, 5 times, that's the trick!"
"No, actually, lets go with 9 times, symbolic of the M9!!!"
"Franz, you are a genius!!!!"
 
The look on his face at some points disturbs me. Then again, there will be (and already are, from the sounds of it) 500 people to which this video appeals immensely.
 
The camera looks over the top. Do they build these things for investors only?.... the holster reminds me of the english version of the TV series, "The Office" where the guy keeps his mobile phone in a shoulder holster similar to this. Accessories seem to sell to some people. Horses for courses. Maybe it might be useful if you were a mountain climber, or a war photographer? Off to make some scones on Keith's advice now. Do Leica boffins read this forum?
 
Gosh. I hope no one who ordered one of these did so because of the video. "Gotta spend $26,500 so I can be like that guy." I hope anybody who's getting one did so primarily because they love the camera.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The camera will have it's admirers. $26,000 + is a lot of money for an artist I suspect so it won't attract many artists.

I would be curious to see what it will be worth, compared to my scruffy little M2, say 20 years from now.
 
M9 looks beautiful, but it is very very expensive, a lot I think.
But we know Leica makes itself a elite image and with a high price.
Thanks for share video Rob.
 
The M9Ti is very interesting - I am quite a bit gear oriented, resulting in immediate click on a link presented like this on a piece of camera gear.

The M9Ti though, leaves me completely cold. I don't even experience the slightest desire, clicking the link - this really makes me wonder …
 
Roger Hicks said:
Am I the only person here who has actually handled this thing?
Click to expand...

I opted to forego attenting Photokina with other LHSA group people, in preference of strolling around Cologne actually taking pictures with the M9 which recently disemboweled my bank account :D So no, I didn't handle the M9T. I did however have breakfast with a guy who had placed himself on the pre-order list as soon as it was announced. This is not the first limited-edition Leica has offered, just (perhaps) the most expensive. From an economic standpoint, Leica would be foolish not to exploit such a lucrative market. Watch manufacturers sell 6-figure limited-run editions based on their plebian models, usually timed for Baselworld. If not for the problem of safety and emissions certification, I'm sure the auto manufacturers would gladly sell their show cars in limited runs too. I don't see what's the big deal.
 
What the clip isn't showing is that the holster is one silly idea when combining it with the finger strap.

You need to slide your fingers between the camera and your body to get through the finger strap. Mine don't bend that way very easily.

The guy in the video is time after time pulling it out, but his fingers are through the strap already every single time.
 
Ben Z said:
I opted to forego attenting Photokina with other LHSA group people, in preference of strolling around Cologne actually taking pictures with the M9 which recently disemboweled my bank account :D So no, I didn't handle the M9T. I did however have breakfast with a guy who had placed himself on the pre-order list as soon as it was announced. This is not the first limited-edition Leica has offered, just (perhaps) the most expensive. From an economic standpoint, Leica would be foolish not to exploit such a lucrative market. Watch manufacturers sell 6-figure limited-run editions based on their plebian models, usually timed for Baselworld. If not for the problem of safety and emissions certification, I'm sure the auto manufacturers would gladly sell their show cars in limited runs too. I don't see what's the big deal.
Click to expand...

A very fair analysis. Except that I don't think I'd go to Cologne except to cover photokina. Mind you, I've been going there since 1982 as part of the job, so I've seen quite a bit of the place.

Cheers,

R.
 
Good point! I watched the video again though, and it looks like it might not be an issue because of the way the finger strap rotates. I am guessing that as you take your hand out of the camera your natural inclination is to rotate the finger strap and pull out your hand. When you put it back in, the same operation would happen in reverse. So you would not really need to jam your hand between your body, just rotate your hand a bit as you are taking it in and out. You can kind of see him do it around 1 minute in the video.
ANYWAY, the holster still would not be my choice, but I do like the idea of having a finger strap option, as long as it is not at the expense of regular strap lugs. It would kind of be like the hand strap on the R9 motor drive or DMR, or the strap on the Rollei 6008/Hy6 series cameras, all of which were quite convenient.
 
Roger Hicks said:
A very fair analysis. Except that I don't think I'd go to Cologne except to cover photokina. Mind you, I've been going there since 1982 as part of the job, so I've seen quite a bit of the place.

Cheers,

R.
Click to expand...

It was my first time there. I thought about going up the 400+ steps to the church belfry...for about half a second :D...and then we decided to just stroll around. The bridge with the hundreds of padlocks was...unique:rolleyes:
 
Ben Z said:
It was my first time there. I thought about going up the 400+ steps to the church belfry...for about half a second :D...and then we decided to just stroll around.
Click to expand...

This one ?

2325440919_8cebb36dbc.jpg
 
Ben Z said:
It was my first time there. I thought about going up the 400+ steps to the church belfry...for about half a second :D...and then we decided to just stroll around. The bridge with the hundreds of padlocks was...unique:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Not entirely. The first time I saw 'love padlocks' was a good few years ago in the university city of Pecs (pronounced, more or less, 'Petch') in Hungary, where they've apparently been doing it since the 1980s. I was intrigued to see this rather charming custom exported.

Cheers,

Roger
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom