Leica CEO on M9 quality control & Leica's future

[jreid]

After the M9 unveiling yesterday I spoke with Leica Camera CEO Rudi Spiller. The transcript is on my blog.

I couldn't ask everything forum members suggested but I hope some of his answers are interesting anyway.

I also spoke with Stefan Daniel. Look for that later today.

 

[Jeff Day]

After the M9 unveiling yesterday I spoke with Leica Camera CEO Rudi Spiller. The transcript is on my blog.

I couldn't ask everything forum members suggested but I hope some of his answers are interesting anyway.

I also spoke with Stefan Daniel. Look for that later today.

Thank you for posting this - very much appreciated. I have been using the MP, but now with the advent of the full-frame M9 I have decided to go digital and have an M9 on order.

Best,

Jeff

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I spoke also some people at a dealer: they say to wait for the M9.2 which is expected to come very soon.

 

[swoop]

I spoke also some people at a dealer: they say to wait for the M9.2 which is expected to come very soon.

If Leica is planning on releasing an M9.2 "soon." As in around the new year. And selling both the M9 and M9.2 simultaneously. Then the M9.2 will assuredly be more expensive. I'd say at minimum $1500 extra.

And the only thing I could imagine them offering with it is sapphire glass and a larger viewfinder magnification. It doesn't make sense to offer the M9.2 so soon. I'd say it's at least 18 months away. And that when it comes around it'll replace the M9 instead of selling alongside it. I think the M9 cut out the sapphire glass and large viewfinder to save costs for the initial release and get as many units out the door as possible.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

He seems to be saying that the M9 will be repairable for 20 years. So they will stockpile the electronics to replace defective components, I assume. That would be truly remarkable these days where five years is more the norm.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Well, I am very happy to see the M9 appear and the CEO realize that they have to get it right in order to move ahead into the future. It must have been very hard for such a staid company to come this far in such a sort time and they deserve praise in being able to do that. Now to buy a few more lottery tickets to be able to support them properly in their endeavor.

Bob

 

[Tuolumne]

Give us a break on the saphire glass. Pure bling. The same protection can be had for $20 or less from an after-market vendor. I think the big problem is what could an M9.2 or even an M10 have that would make M9 owners want to own one? It would have to be nothing less than a sensor revolution. Thats' sure to come, but who knows when. Certainly not "in the near future".

/T