Bill Pierce
Well-known
The latest in the long, slow decline from greatness...
http://petapixel.com/2014/02/04/28k-ralph-gibson-leica-monochrom-cant-one/
http://petapixel.com/2014/02/04/28k-ralph-gibson-leica-monochrom-cant-one/
Thardy
Veteran
What's the problem? It was signed, endorsed and practically drooled on by Ralph.
zauhar
Veteran
The latest in the long, slow decline from greatness...
http://petapixel.com/2014/02/04/28k-ralph-gibson-leica-monochrom-cant-one/
Leica, Gibson, or both?
thegman
Veteran
The latest in the long, slow decline from greatness...
http://petapixel.com/2014/02/04/28k-ralph-gibson-leica-monochrom-cant-one/
I can't say I like the idea of making expensive 'Limited Editions' of digital cameras, as it all just reeks of consumerism. However, Leica needs to turn a profit, and that's their priority.
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
As long as there are snobbish and arrogant elitists with money to burn, Leica will be more than happy to help them burn it; after all, it is not Leica that is the fall guy in this transaction (the $28,000 camera sale).
That having been said, I agree with Bill's thoughts in his original post.
That having been said, I agree with Bill's thoughts in his original post.
Wburgess
Established
Decline?
I suppose Leica doesn't have a history of producing many limited editions... :S
I suppose Leica doesn't have a history of producing many limited editions... :S
michaelwj
----------------
I think its a bit naf really. Mainly the signature on the top.
Although, if it didn't have the signature on the top, and if it was not much than a standard kit, and if I had the money, then I would have snapped one up. I know thats a lot of if's, but I think it looks sweet.
Michael
Although, if it didn't have the signature on the top, and if it was not much than a standard kit, and if I had the money, then I would have snapped one up. I know thats a lot of if's, but I think it looks sweet.
Michael
daveleo
what?
So we have established that whats-his-name's autograph is worth $20k and the camera is worth $8k.
Isn't that sick?
Isn't that sick?
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
I think that Gibson in Nashville should issue a Gibson Les Paul guitar that is a Ralph Gibson signed edition.
It would be a Gibson Gibson Les Paul, a triple signature guitar that will sell for even greater money than the usual high price.
It would be a Gibson Gibson Les Paul, a triple signature guitar that will sell for even greater money than the usual high price.
jippiejee
Well-known
I rather see the rich invest in Leica than buying some sand island in the shape of their country off the Dubai coast. If these sort of collector series help to keep Leica as independent brand afloat, who's to complain?
Sejanus.Aelianus
Veteran
Hmmm, just for a bit, I thought this was about gibbons, then I read a bit further and realised what a dreadful insult that would be to to the Hylobatidae...

Bill Pierce
Well-known
Leica, Gibson, or both?
Leica. Ralph is a good photographer. One of his prints has hang in my living room for a long time. And I'm one of those terrible people who moves pictures out of the living room and into the closet when I get tired of them.
Brian Atherton
Well-known
Frankly I can't get worked up over it.
People with large amounts of disposable income have been buying shiny, shiny baubles for ever for 'investment'. Look at the art market.
If it helps Leica's bottom line, and Gibson's happy about it, fine.
People with large amounts of disposable income have been buying shiny, shiny baubles for ever for 'investment'. Look at the art market.
If it helps Leica's bottom line, and Gibson's happy about it, fine.
maddoc
... likes film again.
A "Gibson-edition" Leica WITH frame-line preview lever ? Wasn`t the special thing about the "Gibson MP" the omitted preview lever ?
Nevertheless, US$28K for a digital camera seems a little bit over the top, IMO ... but it seems there are enough people willing to pay this amount of money. Good for Leica, keeps them in business.
Nevertheless, US$28K for a digital camera seems a little bit over the top, IMO ... but it seems there are enough people willing to pay this amount of money. Good for Leica, keeps them in business.
wpm
Member
Really?
Really?
P.T. Barnum was right.
Really?
P.T. Barnum was right.
NY_Dan
Well-known
I agree it's silly to make a camera that won't be used to take photos. It will just be ogled by buyers who are trying to fill some emptiness through purchasing. And it doesn't endow the buyer with the creative ability unique to the person the camera is named after. However, if this puts more money in Leica's coffers, and helps camera stores, then I personally don't care. I'd like an M -- who wouldn't? But I wouldn't pay over 3K for one. And even then I'd need 2 appropriate lenses. It's kind of like buying an expensive limited edition guitar endorsed by this or that musician.
kshapero
South Florida Man
I was informed I was the 37th bidder. Could Bill have been the 36th? Just saying.



Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Leica could put a red dot on a turd and someone would buy it.
Sorry to be that vulgar but it's the truth. The same goes for any luxury good with a marque that is also a status symbol.
Back in 2003-2005, I hung out with a lot of bluegrass players. I got to meet a lot of the folks I had grown up listening to. There was a 14 year old kid who got a present; one of David Grisman's old, seasoned mandolins. The instrument sounded amazing when played well but when inexperienced players, myself included, tried to make music with it, it just sounded not as good. The same goes for this camera. Without Gibson shooting it, it is just another Monocrom.
Phil Forrest
Sorry to be that vulgar but it's the truth. The same goes for any luxury good with a marque that is also a status symbol.
Back in 2003-2005, I hung out with a lot of bluegrass players. I got to meet a lot of the folks I had grown up listening to. There was a 14 year old kid who got a present; one of David Grisman's old, seasoned mandolins. The instrument sounded amazing when played well but when inexperienced players, myself included, tried to make music with it, it just sounded not as good. The same goes for this camera. Without Gibson shooting it, it is just another Monocrom.
Phil Forrest
f16sunshine
Moderator
$28k... That's awesome! Why not...$100k ?
Seems $28k is arbitrary. Why aim so low with a "limited" edition?
Seems $28k is arbitrary. Why aim so low with a "limited" edition?
noisycheese
Normal(ish) Human
Leica could put a red dot on a turd and someone would buy it.
Sorry to be that vulgar but it's the truth.
Phil Forrest
If it were a turd that had been signed by Henri Cartier-Bresson twelve years ago and then flash flash frozen with liquid nitrogen, it would probably sell for a mid six figure sum.
I (and apparently more than a few others) find it distasteful that Leica cameras and lenses have come to be regarded as status symbols.... The same goes for any luxury good with a marque that is also a status symbol.
M cameras were born to run - created for photographic greatness, not to bolster the needy egos of mega-wealthy dilletantes and celebritwat posers.
Unfortunately those who run the home office in Solms have made mega-wealthy dilettantes and celebritwat posers their target market, much to the discomfiture of real photographers.
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