Full frame M8 on auction site.

[f6andBthere]

Not really a full frame M8 but certainly an odd ball M9. Described as having an M8 top plate ... which it isn't of course because they are completely different.

LINK

 

[elmer3.5]

Hi, very interesting, but the oddity is in fact the m9 top has m8 engraving but no other mark such as the leica logo.
Perhaps the cnc mill got confused and engraved the first batch with the m8 markings😀

 

[Pete B]

I've seen one listed previously. The prototype M9. I think it's genuine.
Pete

 

[f6andBthere]

I wonder why they marked them M8?

So they could test them in the boutiques and cafes without arousing interest possibly! 😀

 

[efix]

Definitely a prototype M9, I've seen several of these (not in person, though) before. It's like with the prototype M7s, which were marked "M6-A" (for "Auto", I presume).

EDIT: Now that I come to think of it, I believe I have actually once seen an M9 prototype in real life in a camera store in Cologne -- if my memory is not playing games with me ...

 

[Chyn]

I remember reading a few accounts where the first testers of the M9 were delivered actual M9s but housed in M8 shells.

 

[jsrockit]

I wonder why they marked them M8?

So people could test them in public without fanboys drooling all over them...

😀

 

[efix]

So people could test them in public without fanboys drooling all over them...

😀

This might actually be very close to the truth!

 

[Fraser]

if you google 'whats in your bag Chris weeks' video he had one of the prototype ones and you get a good look.

 

[CameraQuest]

if you google 'whats in your bag Chris weeks' video he had one of the prototype ones and you get a good look.

yep.

Chris had a great time shooting with the M9 prototype. Hardly anyone noticed the indent on the end of the top plate - which a M8 does not have -- except a well known female TV star.

Stephen

 

[Shade]

So people could test them in public without fanboys drooling all over them...

😀

Same case happens with iphone when they are testing the iphone 4 but guised it as 3GS..

 

[Fraser]

^ And we all know who that is... 😉

no who?...........

 

[johannielscom]

no who?...........

PARIS HILTON!


Whuhahahaha

 

[jaapv]

yep.

Chris had a great time shooting with the M9 prototype. Hardly anyone noticed the indent on the end of the top plate - which a M8 does not have -- except a well known female TV star.

Stephen

Leica had a little rubber insert to hide the indent. Maybe that is why Ms. P.H. noticed it.😉

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I wonder why they marked them M8?

So they could test them in the boutiques and cafes without arousing interest possibly! 😀

They would have called it a Nikon, no doubt. Because, you know, that's the sort of thing that people interested in an M9 don't look at in boutiques and cafés. 🙄

 

[CameraQuest]

Leica had a little rubber insert to hide the indent. Maybe that is why Ms. P.H. noticed it.😉

Not on his M8 / 9. and of course, not PH either.

Stephen

 

[f6andBthere]

I wonder how many of these were made?

I read somewhere that BMW tests a lot of it's cars in outback Australia. One in particular (can't remember what model) was heavily disguised to look like another make of car.

I'm surprised that these protoype Leicas make it out into the retail market, I couldn't see any other company allowing this to happen but no doubt Leica have their reasons. Catering to the collectors I guess because they'd know damned well that they'll be sold well above the M9's suggested retail.

 

[f6andBthere]

They would have called it a Nikon, no doubt. Because, you know, that's the sort of thing that people interested in an M9 don't look at in boutiques and cafés. 🙄

Unless it's the new V1 Nikon of course because that's where I'd expect to see that camera! 😀

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I think when I send my M9 in next time for service, I'll have them engrave a second "9" right next to the first so I can have my own "Get Smart" a-la-carte edition.

Phil Forrest