Is the ME ugly?

[crispy12]

Originally Posted by gho

I voted "strongly disagree". To my eye, the M-E does not look ugly at all. That does not mean that I find it pretty, by the way.

Let's make this a bit more informative. What do I like? Clean, classical M design, the color scheme is to my taste.

What do I not like? If you are asking, the top plate is a bit too high, slimming it down would make more space for a larger display. It looks, as if the design of the proportions centered a bit too much around the display than the other way round. The body is a bit too thick also, the upfront Leica logo, the "eye lid" like silver stripes at the viewfinder window. Compared to the film Ms it is all looking a tad unbalanced, but still no way bad looking.

This is exactly what I think as well. I'm thinking of getting one too.

[gavinlg]

I disagree. I like the body much more then the M(ilestone) but I don't really like the blue-grey paint very much. I would shoot/own one if I could, but i'd probably try and get a black m9 instead.

[ronnies]

Is that the Pentax ME? I prefer the MX myself.

Ronnie

[D.J.]

Ugly. It looks like one of those blue Bessa's from a few years ago.

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Clearly I am not alone in being unable to understand the question.

Cheers,

R.

Eh?
That's not what you wrote in AP this week.

"The Final Frame

The aesthetics of cameras transcend mere functionality, says Roger Hicks, which is why we should care what they look like"

[bugmenot]

Okay, now I am starting to seriously doubt the intelligence and observation skills of people here. The M-E looks almost exactly like the M9 ... It's just the colour scheme that's changed ... and a missing lever on the right side of the front plate ... I don't see many articles calling the M9 ugly ... Sure, there were a few back in 2009, but it is a universally liked camera here it seems.

[maggieo]

I find the top plate's color off-putting and the silver dials look misplaced. The M9 and especially the M9-P are, to my mind attractive cameras, but the combination on the ME looks ill-considered and ugly.

[IEDEI]

i absolutely LOVE the look of the M-E.....perhaps the best looking M camera i've ever seen! Really dig the dark grey/anthracite colour and the functional look of it. I think it looks brilliant with a black lens.

[grapejohnson]

Is the RF patch bigger, or is it an illusion?

[gho]

Originally Posted by crispy12

This is exactly what I think as well. I'm thinking of getting one too.

Oh well, that I do not find it ugly does not mean that I want to get one. And that I do not want to get one does not mean that it is a bad camera. Frankly speaking, I have too many cameras already and with time I learned that buying a new camera does not make me a better photographer. So since quite some time I am quite set.

[MikeAUS]

This is it - for people who had no idea what an M-E is - like me

[tekst]

One thing I do like about it is the fact both black and chrome lenses would look good on it, besides that, I think its pretty ugly. Having said that I'd be perfectly happy with it or any other m9 variant.

[Chyn]

Held an ME in my hands back when it was first unveiled in September, and it felt subjectively no different than my M8. The grey color scheme made it seem like it was a miniature warship.

[bumgardner]

I think it looks really cool. I like the color scheme.

[PatrickONeill]

how much does an M9-P top plate and bottom plate cost?...

[willie_901]

Of course it is in no way ugly. It kind of looks like a lot of other M bodies. It looks minimalist and functional compared to about a hundred other camera forms that have popped up in the past five years or so.

[denizg7]

honestly this is a step backward in leica history but not a bad one..

if it was up to me , I would make the Leica M9P in production instead of the ME but then again it is a unique look , either way the ME won't harm Leica it's a safe move on their part

[Vincent.G]

I think the M-E looks fine.
I am saving up for one... at the same time deciding what to sell...

[grantb]

It looks so cool when I hold my finger over the red dot....

[shadowgun]

Butt ugly, or FUGLY

[vitaly66]

The styling is ridiculous. It looks like it was designed by Fisher-Price.

[jarski]

"sandpaper" leather on original M8 was aesthetic mistake Leica made with their regular M's, IMO. pic above, cannot understand why slight change on dark color tone and silver dials are jumping on some peoples faces all the sudden. everything else remains same. if it was pink, I might be joining them on boo-crowd

[rxmd]

That's like saying Grace Kelly was butt-ugly when she painted her nails in the wrong colour.

+1 for "I don't understand what the fuss is about".

[jtm6]

I like the color. I personally don't like the contrasting silver/chrome knobs — I wish they were black, but that's just my own preference. I guess I'll have to wait for the ME-P.

[shadowgun]

Originally Posted by rxmd

That's like saying Grace Kelly was butt-ugly when she painted her nails in the wrong colour.

+1 for "I don't understand what the fuss is about".

She could be butt ugly if you don't like her looks, regardless of what color her nails were.

[c.poulton]

Originally Posted by crispy12

This is exactly what I think as well. I'm thinking of getting one too.

Exactly my thoughts, although I'm not in the market for a digital M just yet, but if I was....

I must admit that I've only seen pictures of the M-E and would love to see it in the flesh so to speak, just to confirm my thoughts on the colour scheme, but so far I really don't mind the grey at all. Horses for courses.......