The fact is none of us know why Leica shipped defective cameras. It could be due to financial pressure, it could be short-sighted greed (as in employees' bonuses depended on meeting a deadline), or it have been simple incompetence. Or, perhaps Leica simply made a very clever business decision.
Likewise, we do not know why Leica did not spin the M8's unusual IR sensitivity as an advantage. All Leica had to do was leak commnets about how the M8 sensor has resolution that almost violates the laws of physics because they use IR filters on the front of the lens, and not in front of the sensor. This propganda could have easily been parceled out bit by bit. The "reviewers" would have taken the bait hook, line and sinker. By the time the camera shipped, Leicaphiles would be bragging that they use IR filters (and that Leica IR filters are like no others).
What we do know is – Leica's initial M8 shipment has defective electronic components and defective firmware. This means either Leica did not carefully test the first run of production units, or they ignored these issues and hoped for the best. More troubling is the possibility that Leica could not afford to properly test the first batch of M8s.
None of the above matters at all. Here's why.
It seems some M8 owners could care less about these issues. Some are pleased that they can receive compensation (30% lens discount). Some spent hours of their time and their money to buy IR filters. Others wrote post-processing profiles just to obtain more pleasant color images. It seems to me the response of these M8 owners indicates Leica was very clever. Perhaps Leica gambled that the photographers who rushed to be first in line for delivery would also be generous, forgiving customers. If so, this was a good bet. After all, two IR filters at cost is well worth the cash flow (let's assume $3,800 gross per unit). Also, while a 30% lens discount is very nice gift for any M8 owners, these $600 - $2,600 lenses (after discount) will still bring cash flow into Leica's business. In fact, it is not silly to assume more new M lenses will be sold because of the offer. Less inventory is good business for Leica.
The behavior of the early M8 owners shows Leica had nothing to loose by shipping defective units. And, they barely received a "flesh wound" for mishandling the IR color distortion issue. Leica got the product out on time and the early adapters love them.
In the end, Leica wins. The early adapters believe they won. Leica knows that most of the RF enthusiasts who my be aliened or disgusted by the M8 introduction are not in their customer base now, and probably never will be Leica's M8 customers. The early adapters behavior proves Leica made the right business decision by either knowingly, or unknowingly, shipping a defective camera to the early adapters.
