New Leica M digital Monochrome camera announced

[Keith]

The trouble is that we all know Leica's idea of a mid level camera would still be something that's going to be a financial leap for the average consumer.

I don't have a problem with Leica personally as I don't with Mercedes or BMW ... these are items that aren't made for the average income earner, it's a fact of life that us bottom feeders have to deal with!

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by Keith

The trouble is that we all know Leica's idea of a mid level camera would still be something that's going to be a financial leap for the average consumer.

No doubt about it, but a $3000-4000 camera still seems more, and I cannot believe I'm saying this, reasonable. We're creeping steadily towards $10,000 for Canon's, Nikon's, and Leica's top 35mm digital camera.

I don't have a problem with Leica personally as I don't with Mercedes or BMW ... these are items that aren't made for the average income earner, it's a fact of life that us bottom feeders have to deal with!

The average income earner in each of our countries can afford one if they really want it... it would just take some sacrifices. There are many countries where the average income can never ever dream of owning a $10,000 camera. We are still lucky even if we cannot continue to buy luxury cameras.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

The average income earner in each of our countries can afford one if they really want it... it would just take some sacrifices. There are many countries where the average income can never ever dream of owning a $10,000 camera. We are still lucky even if we cannot continue to buy luxury cameras.

That's it exactly .... these things aren't quite out of reach but they do require a level of sacrifice. Most people can afford to own an M9 if they're prepared to drive a two thousand dollar car and make other decisions about what they really need to get by!

[DRabbit]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

No doubt about it, but a $3000-4000 camera still seems more, and I cannot believe I'm saying this, reasonable. We're creeping steadily towards $10,000 for Canon's, Nikon's, and Leica's top 35mm digital camera.

I know... the $3-4K thing seems hard to swallow, but at least it feels more within reach. An M8-3 at $4K... at least I could sell some gear, save my pennies and have one in six months. $8K and above, that's like "oh yeah, when I win the lottery" or "let me sell my car..." LOL

Originally Posted by jsrockit

The average income earner in each of our countries can afford one if they really want it... it would just take some sacrifices. There are many countries where the average income can never ever dream of owning a $10,000 camera. We are still lucky even if we cannot continue to buy luxury cameras.

Very true -- and good to keep perspective. The fact we can even discuss this, likely from nice laptops and computers on high-speed connections from the comfort of home, makes us lucky.

[Audii-Dudii]

Originally Posted by Michel154

some one could send there M8 to have it converted to black and white
nothing new... this guy have been doing it for years
http://www.maxmax.com/b&w_conversion.htm

Maybe, maybe not. I don't know whether they can convert an M8 or not, but I was in communication with them just last week about the possibility of converting my X-Pro1 to pure B&W and they said that while they're happy to give it a shot, the cost will run between $1,500 and $2,500, depending upon how much work is involved, and there is a good chance they'll ruin a sensor or three while figuring out how to remove the color filter layer from the X-Pro1 chip, as they haven't worked with one of them yet.

If they could guarantee the price would be $2,500, I would be tempted to have mine converted, but I imagine the cost of a replacement sensor will approach the cost of the body, and as such, destroying even one of those will ultimately push the pricetag a bit too high for my comfort.

[DRabbit]

Originally Posted by Audii-Dudii

Maybe, maybe not. I don't know whether they can convert an M8 or not, but I was in communication with them just last week about the possibility of converting my X-Pro1 to pure B&W and they said that while they're happy to give it a shot, the cost will run between $1,500 and $2,500, depending upon how much work is involved, and there is a good chance they'll ruin a sensor or three while figuring out how to remove the color filter layer from the X-Pro1 chip, as they haven't worked with one of them yet.

If they could guarantee the price would be $2,500, I would be tempted to have mine converted, but I imagine the cost of a replacement sensor will approach the cost of the body, and as such, destroying even one of those will ultimately push the pricetag a bit too high for my comfort.

VERY interesting. I'd be more tempted to try it with one of the much cheaper Olympus Pens... like this:
http://maxmax.com/olympus_e-p2.htm

[Lss]

Originally Posted by BobYIL

What the majority M shutter counts show in one year, some real professionals do in ONE day..

Don't you mean all real professionals?

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

The average income earner in each of our countries can afford one if they really want it... it would just take some sacrifices. There are many countries where the average income can never ever dream of owning a $10,000 camera. We are still lucky even if we cannot continue to buy luxury cameras.

Very glad to finally hear something like this. The glass is always half full and you really got to know when to be satisfied.

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by Keith

When was the last time you saw any digital M in our classifieds with a high shutter count ... the majority of them seem to have 10,000 or less ... people don't shoot them like Nikons or Canons by rule. They buy the damned things, molly coddle them until they get bored with them and then move them on for the next incarnation of their photographic fantasies!

When did shutter count become a measure of photographic excellence? If that was the case, the old guy with trembling hands that takes 8 frames per second at 1/500 must be the best in the world.

[print44]

Imagine this was the first Leica. Great! Such exquisite quality. And then a few years down the line someone comes along and invents the M3. A monochrom Leica that can do colour as well!