Thorsten Overgaard on the M10

[dave lackey]

Very interesting!

http://www.overgaard.dk/leica-M10-di...ngefinder.html

[hausen]

I really like Thorsten's style. Thanks for posting Dave, was a good read.

[daveleo]

Originally Posted by hausen

I really like Thorsten's style. Thanks for posting Dave, was a good read.

Agreed an both accounts.
Thorsten has always struck me as a low key guy who puts his cards on the table.

[buzzardkid]

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!

I knew it

[buzzardkid]

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?

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

[dave lackey]

That BW M9 sounds too cool and it would be even better without a screen!

[willie_901]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

That BW M9 sounds too cool and it would be even better without a screen!

Don't forget to mention a base ISO of 25 maxing out at 125.

[kmallick]

+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.

[furcafe]

AF, yes, & the accessory shoe, yes, but not the hot shoe (I think that was Bell & Howell for their Foton in 1948).

Originally Posted by kmallick

+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.

[Nomad Z]

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?

One wonders in what way this B&W M due in May can be a pre-edition of an M10 coming out at Photokina.

[Ryan1938]

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.

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by Ryan1938

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.

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.

[Ryan1938]

Originally Posted by Araakii

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.

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...

[dave lackey]

Originally Posted by Ryan1938

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...

Leica has shown record profits in the last few years because they know what they are doing. IMO, anyone who wants Leica to change their direction is both ignorant of Leica's own research, marketing and business strategies in a real world and also not able to grasp the complex world in which Leica must operate to not only survive but to keep this wonderful business prospering in an ever-changing world.

I know that I would never try to second guess Leica about Leica. YMMV.

In regard to the price, whatever.... not an issue for me.

[Florian1234]

No comment on this from me.

[Ryan1938]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Leica has shown record profits in the last few years because they know what they are doing. IMO, anyone who wants Leica to change their direction is both ignorant of Leica's own research, marketing and business strategies in a real world and also not able to grasp the complex world in which Leica must operate to not only survive but to keep this wonderful business prospering in an ever-changing world.

I know that I would never try to second guess Leica about Leica. YMMV.

In regard to the price, whatever.... not an issue for me.

I know... Its prolly the silly value proposition of the red dot Panasonic that even allows them to go to market with the M8, M9, and M10. That, however, doesn't mean I have to like the fact that they are openly becoming more and more fashion focused.

The whole thing kind of reminds me of Breitling watches in a way.

We all know it will never happen, but you do have to wonder what would happen if Leica provided an m-solution of somekind for under $3500. A tool built to be used by professionals and priced dependent on value/cost.

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Ryan1938

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.

Good thing you don't run things over at Leica... (jokes)

[Jobin]

He is like a knowledgeable and skilled Ken Rockwell.

[dct]

Originally Posted by Jobin

He is like a knowledgeable and skilled Ken Rockwell.

This is a good one!

[ramosa]

Originally Posted by Jobin

He is like a knowledgeable and skilled Ken Rockwell.

Best quote of the day. No question.

[Hosermage]

Hehe.. +1, Araakii

[MikeAUS]

Very interesting read. Thanks for posting!

[semilog]

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.

And that, right there, is the antithesis of Art. From Hell's heart I stab at thee, Leica.

[lemalk]

Originally Posted by semilog

And that, right there, is the antithesis of Art. From Hell's heart I stab at thee, Leica.

Yep. But it'll need to be a gold-plated dagger...and commerce has no heart. And the whale ultimately wins, right. ?

[benlees]

Originally Posted by semilog

And that, right there, is the antithesis of Art. From Hell's heart I stab at thee, Leica.

This might be the best thing I've read on RFF!