Full frame M8 on auction site.

f6andBthere

f6andBthere

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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
 
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:D
 
I wonder why they marked them M8?

So they could test them in the boutiques and cafes without arousing interest possibly! :D
 
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 ...
 
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I remember reading a few accounts where the first testers of the M9 were delivered actual M9s but housed in M8 shells.
 
if you google 'whats in your bag Chris weeks' video he had one of the prototype ones and you get a good look.
 
Fraser said:
if you google 'whats in your bag Chris weeks' video he had one of the prototype ones and you get a good look.
Click to expand...

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
 
CameraQuest said:
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
Click to expand...

Leica had a little rubber insert to hide the indent. Maybe that is why Ms. P.H. noticed it.;)
 
diagularax said:
I wonder why they marked them M8?

So they could test them in the boutiques and cafes without arousing interest possibly! :D
Click to expand...


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. :rolleyes:
 
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.
 
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
 
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