The best camera commercial ever?

[Nelson Tan]

This is an old Leica M8 commercial, but it was one that enthralled me for the longest time. I decided to write a post about it because I believe this is the best camera commercial I've seen in a long time. It communicated everything what Leica needed to say about their tradition and foray into the digital world, and manages to stir the viewers' loins with its sensitive treatment and execution.

Here's my deconstruction of the brilliant TV commercial...

http://thefstopshere.tumblr.com/post/50920042241/the-best-camera-commercial-in-the-world

 

[maitani]

That's really well made, the commercial shows why the Leica are in some way unmatched for decades.
thanks for the link, it makes me even happier that I didn't sell my asph lux at the end, I'd be hunting for another one right now,
the M8 is still my favourite digital cameras, after having tried tons of cameras over the years, the files, have some timeless quality to them, if you know to work around it's limitations

 

[sevres_babylone]

Thanks for posting; I haven't seen it in a long time. I am a big Wim Wenders fan, and I especially like the documentaries he made where he does voiceovers (iike Tokyo-Ga). But my favourite photo of Wim was in the Village Voice, where he's in the middle of a street in NYC with his camera...a Minox🙂

 

[Aristophanes]

It's a little too self-congratulating. Most cameras with manual capabilities can do exactly what is advertised here, and some have better shutters!

It's just as an ad!

 

[Nelson Tan]

Aristophanes, that is exactly my point. Many cameras can do exactly the same or more, but Leica has mastered the craft of positioning their brand so well that I am in total awe when I deconstruct the ad. I hold a day job in a marketing communications agency, and I meet many clients who have either no idea on what features to sell in a product, or how best to present their wares. In contrast, every single line in the Leica commercial presents a product attribute or frames an flaw so beautifully it becomes a feature, that one cannot help but realize the amount of work that goes into the 90 seconds of video that subconsciously softens consumers' resistance against the perceived shortcomings of the M8. The Leica marketing mechanism for this commercial is just awesome IMHO.

 

[dave lackey]

+1 ...Nelson that was indeed a very good commercial and I think Leica should do a lot more of this sort of thing.

Living in The Deep South all my life, Leica was an unknown camera brand to me until, well, I was shown the way with the M3. Since then, I have been amazed at how much history and Leica-ness I have missed. But I am working hard trying to make up for it!😀

 

[cz23]

That is wonderful. Great script and images. Thanks, I hadn't seen it before.

Reminds me why I bought an M9 and fills me with regret for having sold it.

John

 

[Spicy]

All that commercial does for me is remind me how badly digital Leica has lost their way... Such a shame, really.

 

[sgtnikolaix]

Its a nice advert, but more so than the camera I'm fascinated by his glasses!

 

[Snowbuzz]

Wonderful! Thank you for posting!