09/09/09: an M9 or a Pany Re-Badge?

Frank Petronio · 09-02-2009

My hunch is on a Leicasonic or a Panaleica.

(Sheez it should be an "an" not an "a" before "OEM", sorry.)

Ken Ford · 09-02-2009

IMO, both.

mabelsound · 09-02-2009

Frank, Frank, you're not spending enough time on the internet.

Frank Petronio · 09-02-2009

Ehh that X1 is so fake. Unless the Argus C3 designer was cloned.

Pickett Wilson · 09-02-2009

Nice serial number on the lens, though: 1234567

Collectors edition!

Matus · 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickett Wilson

Nice serial number on the lens, though: 1234567

Collectors edition!

Based on the available info about Leica serial numbers this lens was produced around 1954 ..

Olsen · 09-02-2009

The M9 looks real enough. This could well be it. It seems to be the new M we see on the Leica info video, though hidden among video clips of M8s. This top plate seems to match the video. Still it could be a fake.

Ronald_H · 09-02-2009

You forgot to mention the S2.

X1 seems fake to me. And I can photoshop a '8' into a '9' in about 30 seconds.

Roger Hicks · 09-02-2009

1234567 is not unknown as a 'serial number' on genuine Leica product shots.

Tashi delek,

R.

Pickett Wilson · 09-02-2009

Cool. So Leica photoshops their own stuff?

jke · 09-02-2009

I thought this post's heading said "Panty Re-Badge".

buzzardkid · 09-02-2009

The X1 is a fake for sure.

Why? It has not a single element in common with the current line of Leica camera's. I cannot believe a company would not at least use existing strap lugs, shutter collar or release button, etc. BTW, the strap lugs on that thing are huge, so the camera must be tiny, cell phone size. Why put strap lugs on that at all?

No, I'm still sticking to my story (see my website, front page): The M9 will be a scaled down M8 with the ISO and IR-cut issues resolved. Sort of like a Digital CL.
Calling it an M9 would actually be a good move, marketing-wise: the increased number clearly shows it's an improved model (isn't newer always better?), while offering it at an equal or lower price.

The M9 shown in the shots leaked today looks the thing, but I cannot fit it in with the Leica movie clip voice-over that promises a product for novices. The Digital CL type of camera would fit the bill.

Meantime, it does remind me to get GripTac coverings for my M8, instead of the asphalt paper that's stuck to it now

Roger Hicks · 09-02-2009

The M9 must be a significant advance on the M8.2 or the launch will be a farce. Only a rebadged Panasonic on 09/09/09 would be a bad joke.

How will it do this? Damned if I know. But for an M9 to be a cut-down M8.2 would fly in the face of the hoop-la, and be a truly appalling move 'marketing-wise'.

We'll know who's right in a week.

Cheers,

R.

sevo · 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLE-RF

The X1 is a fake for sure.

Why? It has not a single element in common with the current line of Leica camera's.

It is more relevant whether it has elements in common with the current Panasonic line. It has not - which makes it extremely unlikely it is a real product. But it has its elements aligned with those on the GF1 - a body with about that knob and wheel placement could share the same innards. So it could be indeed a product study for the Leica version of the GF1, and it is not entirely unlikely that that (not quite like in that image - more refined and more similar to the Panasonic, but perhaps retaining two knobs for aperture and time control) will be unveiled on the 9th.

BillBingham2 · 09-02-2009

That picture of the X-1 has me interested. Shutter speeds on top? I might be able to live with such a camera and a 14/2.8 lens very well. Now if there were two strap lugs on the right side (one on the additional grip) and if the grip had addtional batteries built in.......

B2 (;->

Roger Hicks · 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLE-RF

The X1 is a fake for sure.

Why? It has not a single element in common with the current line of Leica camera's.

Quite unlike the S2 when it appeared, then.

I'm not saying it's real. Just that it's not necessarily a fake.

Cheers,

R.

buzzardkid · 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

...and be a truly appalling move 'marketing-wise'.

...

I fail to share your views on this.

It is quite a common practice in modern marketing to keep customers interest in products up. The Canon G11 is a scaled down G10. The Nikon 5000 series are numbered higher, but specifics-wise situated below the three-digit series of camera's.

Is it trickery? Possible. But presumably only to those that are watching a manufacturers line of products closely. Other customers simply do not know and do not even care to know. They just want a new camera.

I feel like you do up to a certain point, it would be sad (not 'appaling') if Leica would play along with this marketing game.
But then again, we all want a strong and healthy company to create these future miracles for us, right? And this approach has proven successful for other companies already...

The controllod leakage of the new Leica camera so far resembles the controlled leakage prior to the revealing of the Olympus EP-1.

I say, Leica have adapted their own marketing strategies to the current standards in marketing, and at the moment they seem to be doing a fine job, it's generating a lot of interest. Calling a Digital CL an M9 would fit into a marketing strategy like that pretty neat.

Like you said, we'll know it all in a week. Even though I will not be able to afford an M9, (since not willing to sell lenses or film M's) I'm very curious as to what the rabbit from the hat will look like.

Pickett Wilson · 09-02-2009

The problem with exciting managed mania is that your product can then never live up to the hype and speculation generated before its release. Kinda, uh, like the EP-1.

Roger Hicks · 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLE-RF

And this approach has proven successful for other companies already...

Dear Johan,

Not for companies with this baggage. Re-labelling a Ford as a Rolls-Royce, or making the new 'flagship' BMW a 250cc single, ain't gonna work.

The highest-numbered M has always been the flagship (which is why they moved the MP sideways without a number).

The M9 MUST be a spitzenmodell, or they are throwing away 80+ years of marketing. And as I've said before, they ain't stupid.

Cheers,

R.

Richard Marks · 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Hicks

Dear Johan,

The M9 MUST be a spitzenmodell, or they are throwing away 80+ years of marketing. And as I've said before, they ain't stupid.

Cheers,

R.

Roger the M8 launch concealing the IR problem then a few months delay unitl IR filters were available was very stupid in my opinion.

Stefan Daniel said quite definately that they had closed the door on 4/3 system cameras. It will look pretty silly if this is not the case.

Also I am seriously unsure about the commercial prospects for the S2. A Hasselblad HD3 + standard lens is currently under £10k. It is going to take a serious amount of justification at twice the price + can not shoot film / no interchangeable back upgrades / unproven in medium format arena. Why o why no R10? Do you think this is clever?

Any how some think we have 1 week to wait to find out about an M9. I did predict a few months back after the launch of the 24 1.4 that the next model would not be full frame. I really hope I am wrong. You can call me stupid with the greatest of pleasure then.

Richard

bwcolor · 09-02-2009

I'm saving my money..fake, or not.

Jamie Pillers · 09-02-2009

Johan,
Thanks a LOT.... I'd been wondering what I could do with the left-over asphalt paper in my basement. And I've still got about a half a can of roofing glue! :-)
Jamie

Rob-F · 09-02-2009

It would be so easy to fake the M9 by changing the "8" to a "9" that I don't find the picture credible. As for the "X1" it seems that since there is a handgrip, the camera is meant for a heavier lens than the tiny one shown. That would imply interchangeable lenses. But is there a release catch? Can't tell from that angle. Then again if it is a fixed-lens model, then once again, why bother with the bulky grip? It would not be needed for such a small camera.

I am not convinced that either picture is real.

Jamie Pillers · 09-02-2009

MY hunch is that Leica will be announcing two cameras. First, a full-frame DRF... the "MF" for the 'pros'. It'll be a special addition stamped with the ADI logo (Academy of Dentistry International). It'll be covered in a pink leather product similar to the color of healty gums. Cost.... $10,000 +/-

The second camera will be a throw-away DRF in a box. It'll come with a battery, one of the sensors from that stash that Cosina was going to use for the RD-1x, and a cheap memory card from China. You'll be able to shoot a 100 exposures, then send it off to Solms for processing. The camera will come with a lens made by Holga, to give the images that "Leica glow". Cost... $25.99, including the mailer.

sevo · 09-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Marks

Stefan Daniel said quite definately that they had closed the door on 4/3 system cameras. It will look pretty silly if this is not the case.

He might. But then, he is the M system product manager, and not anybody immediately involved in compacts strategies. Even if he had inside knowledge in what compacts they wanted to OEM, things do sometimes change, and the managers of another division aren't always notified immediately.

Sevo