Thorsten Overgaard on the M10

For the reason of life continuity and the ability to continue to spit out Leica M cameras and M lenses, the M10 has to come out in a not so distant future. It would be stupid of Leica if they didn't have a plan to meet the rumors in the market about a Leica M10 (which automatically slows down the sale of Leica M9). Photokina 2012 in September would be a good occasion, because it's not coming on May 10 2012!
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I knew it :D
 
oh, and:

Leica seem to know these cycles and when to introduce what. So what if ... the black & white Leica M9 is actually a pre-edition of the Leica M10. Wouldn't that have a lot of us discuss with our self how it might actually be necessary for us to have the M10 now, and then one more M10 later when it comes for color?
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I'm betting a B&W M9-P in 72 hours and an M10 on Monday 10th of September (M-10, again), a week before PhotoKina
 
+1
Thorsten's is a great read as usual. Very well written.

"It was Leica that invented the auto focus since 1960 (and also some unnamed Leica executive who said nobody would want it why they sold the rights), and it was Leica that invented the hot shoe for flash. And the list goes on..."

I didn't know that the auto focus and hot shoe were Leica's contribution to the photography world.
 
Leica seem to know these cycles and when to introduce what. So what if ... the black & white Leica M9 is actually a pre-edition of the Leica M10. Wouldn't that have a lot of us discuss with our self how it might actually be necessary for us to have the M10 now, and then one more M10 later when it comes for color?
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One wonders in what way this B&W M due in May can be a pre-edition of an M10 coming out at Photokina.
 
The idea of the BW camera, especially in this price range, kind of baffles me. Sometimes Leica frustrates me so much with their countless special editions, strange market intros, etc...

I wish their business directives were as simple as the M3. Sometimes, I think they should have stopped right there.
 
Ryan1938 said:
The idea of the BW camera, especially in this price range, kind of baffles me. Sometimes Leica frustrates me so much with their countless special editions, strange market intros, etc...

I wish their business directives were as simple as the M3. Sometimes, I think they should have stopped right there.
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I don't know why these frustrate you because you don't have to buy them and the fact that they are sitting on someone else's shelves has absolutely no impact on you.
 
Araakii said:
I don't know why these frustrate you because you don't have to buy them and the fact that they are sitting on someone else's shelves has absolutely no impact on you.
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Totally agree. I'm not being a Leica basher at all. Promise. My main camera is an M6 and Ive owned an M8. I love the idea of Leica... Honest.

Sometimes, however, I wish they would take themselves a bit more seriously as a producer of tools is all. Lose the Panasonic cameras, lose the special editions, etc... And instead, focus on making the best rangefinders in the world. I know they got bit once before doing that (the m5), but I'd love to see them try again.

Just my opinion. I don't think you are an idiot if you pay 9k for a BW Camera. Hell, if I had the dough I prolly would too! I'd certainly own an M9 anyhow...
 
Kaufmann who took over the majority of the stocks, in fact almost all of them, just a few years ago, like to present Leica as the worlds only luxury brand in cameras. And in the same breath he will state that people keep asking that Leica will lower the prices so more can buy - "but that will never happen," he promises.
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And that, right there, is the antithesis of Art. From Hell's heart I stab at thee, Leica.
 
Fashion. That's the word that bothers me so. I don't want fashion. I want a tool... And I'm willing to pay for it!
 
I like Thorsten. I enjoy his insight and his balanced perspective.

... And I know he's essentially correct in his forecast. A Leica is now more than ever an aspirational product.

In the past, photographers aspired to have a Leica. NOW, unfortunately, even current and past Leica users are priced out. It's unfortunate that Leica owns this space in that there isn't a real digital M alternative. A photographer's alternative.

Unlike Hermes, a Leica is a tool to create - not merely extravagant consumption. But that's not where the brand is heading, it seems. And it may be the key to their survival.

Good luck with the B&W rangefinder. I'll be putting my 'old' Leicas to use in the meantime and saving my pennies. I don't think I have a dog in this particular fight anymore.
 
Ryan1938 said:
Fashion. That's the word that bothers me so. I don't want fashion. I want a tool... And I'm willing to pay for it!
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I disagree. Fashion brings more color and fun to life. There are a lot of people with a lot of cash that does nothing to them, so having a very nicely designed and painted Leica for merely $40,000 can bring more joy than a number in the bank account.
 
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