Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Keith,
Not many soulless automata at Leica, fortunately. And besides, it's quite easy for them to make more film cameras if demand rises.
Cheers,
R.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
That's a comforting thought Roger ... anyway if you believe what some the real Leica diehards tell us they stopped at the M3! 
Jaques H
-
I recall reading that M9 output was 35 units per day.
That leaves little % space for film cameras.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
I don't understand the problem. Give Keith a TIG wielder and some brass stock and he'll make all the Leicas you want!
degruyl
Just this guy, you know?
well, you have to admit that the production of the eminently expendable digital cameras is a good marketing plan. (Obligatory planned obsolescence reference). The M9s in production now are replacing 5 year old M8s, rather than 40 year old M3s.
On the other hand, I am of the opinion that this is a cruddy translation. Something I deal with on a daily basis. If you can order the cameras a la carte, they are not "out of production" in any meaningful way.
On the other hand, I am of the opinion that this is a cruddy translation. Something I deal with on a daily basis. If you can order the cameras a la carte, they are not "out of production" in any meaningful way.
Spyro
Well-known
Maybe if people stopped holding on to 70 year old cameras there will be a reason for Leica to make some new ones
I read the article. It's very clear. At a meeting on May 30th arranged by the Japan Camera Industry Institute (JCII), Andreas Kaufmann announced that Leica is no longer making film cameras.
flip
良かったね！
If true, I don't see cause for surprise or concern insofar as there are plenty of high-quality Ms that can be brought up the speed for less than a new MP. The move would be one way to migrate users to the digital age and cover the sunk costs of developing that sensor that was thought to be impossible not long ago.
No reason to believe the Leica CEO is lying
Kaufmann is also quoted in the Asahi Camera article as saying even if Leica did offer a successor to the MP, the price would be around 500,000 - 600,000 yen and its main competitors would be used Leicas.
Jaques H
-
It's the sensible option.
All bases are covered now with S2, M9 and X1. Something for everyone.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If this is true it's huge and the logical flow on will be a knee jerk reaction in the used Leica market ... prices will likely climb steadily!
Hang on to your hats!
Hang on to your hats!
flip
良かったね！
Prest_400
Multiformat
Why not ask someone at Leica? I bet someone can contact them and ask.
I guess Leica would always manufacture the cameras in Batches, new M's aren't the same as cellphones.
Might be possible that they suffer as the same as Rollei F&H, they went bankrupt because of the competition; that was the older models. In this case it would be just stopped production.
It would be bad, I don't own a Leica, but they are the legend. Anyways, there are many used Ms around.
I guess Leica would always manufacture the cameras in Batches, new M's aren't the same as cellphones.
Might be possible that they suffer as the same as Rollei F&H, they went bankrupt because of the competition; that was the older models. In this case it would be just stopped production.
It would be bad, I don't own a Leica, but they are the legend. Anyways, there are many used Ms around.
flip
良かったね！
If this is true it's huge and the logical flow on will be a knee jerk reaction in the used Leica market ... prices will likely climb steadily!
Hang on to your hats!
If I have learned one thing in my short life it is that markets react irrationally, if at all.
In this case, I think that you'd be right if the world still was focussed on film and a major player like Leica was dropping out. As the world has largely moved-on, I can only wish well the collectors who want to build-up a surplus of stock on gadgets that are just as likely to go up in value as to face a collapsing market. I think rarities will hold value as fetish items, but there's a lot of Leicas out there.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
We always knew the axe would fall one day ... I didn't think it would be just yet though!
Deinitely never selling my M2 and M3 now.
Deinitely never selling my M2 and M3 now.
dogberryjr
[Pithy phrase]
If this is true, what a shocking development (pun intended). It's difficult for me to conceive of Leica unceremoniously abandoning film, but I suppose stranger things have happened.
As long as they don't lose their skilled labor, I suppose they would always have the ability to fire up the line again.
As long as they don't lose their skilled labor, I suppose they would always have the ability to fire up the line again.
hipsterdufus
Photographer?
While the concept of Leica abandoning film camera production saddens me, I can't imagine paying $4500+ for a new film camera. Not going to happen. I can't imagine most normal photography hobbyists paying it either. That price tag says to me that the MP/M7 are intended primarily for professional photographers, most of whom have now gone digital. Given this, it would make sense for Leica to switch to digital only to satisfy the professional market.
Spyro
Well-known
Of course not. That never happens.
haha touche.
i should have added there's no reason to believe he's lying about this
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Assuming it's true, and as others say, it seems to be so, then (a) I am indeed surprised but (b) I suspect they'll go on offering à la carte for a good while yet. Film cameras take a lot longer to assemble than digital, incidentally. From a factory visit I seem to recall 11 hours and 8 respectively.
How many of those bemoaning the disappearance of new film Leicas have ever bought one?
Cheers,
R.
How many of those bemoaning the disappearance of new film Leicas have ever bought one?
Cheers,
R.