Is the ME ugly?

[jsrockit]

Looks great to me.

 

[denizg7]

Looks great to me.

it would look even better if the red dot was replaced with a black dot..just my 2 cents..

 

[Roger Hicks]

it would look even better if the red dot was replaced with a black dot..just my 2 cents..

Dear Dennis,

This is a fun one. Under the terms of using the Leica name (shared with microscopes and surveying instruments) they can put black dots ONLY on black cameras. Then, it isn't a dot: it's Leica written on an all-black camera. Strange but true. But they don't go out of their way to prosecute dot-swappers.

Cheers,

R.

 

[denizg7]

Dear Dennis,

This is a fun one. Under the terms of using the Leica name (shared with microscopes and surveying instruments) they can put black dots ONLY on black cameras. Then, it isn't a dot: it's Leica written on an all-black camera. Strange but true. But they don't go out of their way to prosecute dot-swappers.

Cheers,

R.

Oh wow I did not know this. Thanks for telling me about this. It's certainly interesting for them to stick with their principles on this one.

 

[faris]

No it is not.

And the images it makes...depends on me.

 

[Marc G.]

Dear Dennis,

This is a fun one. Under the terms of using the Leica name (shared with microscopes and surveying instruments) they can put black dots ONLY on black cameras. Then, it isn't a dot: it's Leica written on an all-black camera. Strange but true. But they don't go out of their way to prosecute dot-swappers.

Cheers,

R.

when I was in solms on november 6th/7th I was told that nowadays they only put black dots on special edition cameras where they originally were when these cameras were built. so they return them to the original state when repairing/fixing them but otherwise it will always be a red dot

 

[Roger Hicks]

when I was in solms on november 6th/7th I was told that nowadays they only put black dots on special edition cameras where they originally were when these cameras were built. so they return them to the original state when repairing/fixing them but otherwise it will always be a red dot

Quite possibly, but the two stories are not necessarily mutually exclusive. I got my version from two Leica repair techs in 2012 at photokina -- the guys who actually do the dot swaps.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Marc G.]

chief of customer care and the leading technician told me...

they said they get many requests, especially from users of black leicas.

the background for that issue is that they arent allowed to put new black dots on leicas anymore. their reference were law issues. they didnt went any further. it was during a guidance through the factory and customer care while having a look at the latest products

 

[jaapv]

Leica camera does not own the logo, it is owned by another, separate company, Leica Microsystems (microscopes) and licensed to Leica Camera . The owner wants the logo exclusively in red. As simple as that.
Btw, it is logical that the Microscope company ownes the brand. It is much older than the camera division.

 

[douglasf13]

DAG sells black dots, FWIW. I put one on my black M9.

 

[kshapero]

If you think yours is ugly, I'll take it off your hands.

 

[gustavoAvila]

Voted ugly - for $5,500 I would expect a choice of colors!

 

[Marc G.]

taking mine home on saturday 🙂 can't wait to do the first exposure!

strongly disagree, beautiful camera

 

[menthel]

Saw one in the flesh the other day and they are very nice indeed, the colour is unusual but looks good.

 

[macfiend]

I don't think its ugly or I wouldn't have purchased one.

 

[jtm6]

Voted ugly - for $5,500 I would expect a choice of colors!

What would you expect for $8,000? :angel:

 

[alphonse2501]

Disagree, and it needs IIIc K outfits.

 

[colonel]

The M-E is a beautiful fresh approach to M design
I like the gun metal colour and lack of frameline selector so much I have swapped my M9 for an M-E (cash difference of course, but i see that as giving me two years more warranty!)

Perhaps the ugly votes are M9 owners protecting their investment?

 

[ktmrider]

I just ordered an ME so I obviously don't think it is ugly. Have both silver and black lenses so looking forward to seeing how the new finish looks with both types. Won't have trouble distinguishing it from my chrome M2.

 

[noimmunity]

Looks good with either chrome or black lenses.


M-E005 by areality4all, on Flickr


M-E001 by areality4all, on Flickr

The one I got was listed "display model" and came with 96 actuations from the dealer--less, if I remember correctly, than what my new M8 came with. Save big, buy at the end of a cycle. Get the peace of mind of the full warranty and all the bugs ironed out. Definitely not ugly!