M9: it's not a camera; it's a fashion accessory

[robklurfield]

Leave it the newspaper of record (NYT: "all that fits, we print"), to show the M9 in an article on men's fashion in the Thursday Styles section. Right next to the shoes, watches and man-purses. Given that fashion, by definition, is made to go out of style, what does that say for one's potential $6995 investment? Will it go stale next season?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/fa...ml?ref=fashion

[filmfan]

I think the placement of the M9 in the style section was more of a marketing strategy to advertise the M9 to those who can afford "style" and thus M9s...

[robklurfield]

filmfan, I was being tongue-in-cheek.... you are certainly correct... product placement is a great form of free advertising, so who could blame Leica and B&H for taking advantage of the opportunity during NYC's Fashion Week. However, Thursday is also the day that the Times prints articles in the biz section about technology, including digital imaging. I don't expect to see the M9 there. But, then again, I don't read the Times for its tech articles.

[Olsen]

It would be fine for Leica if the M9 would become a fashionable product among rich Americans. This has been a very important market segment for Leica up through the years. But 'everybody' talks of that US consumers will not play such an important part in the future as they have before. The future lies in Asia, Russia and the Middle East. But, rich consumers on these future emerging markets 'look to New York' to find out what is fashionable...

But...

Then there is all these Goldman Sachs employees and this 100 million $ bonus guy at CitiGroup. They should keep the Leica desk at B & H busy for a few weeks....

[robklurfield]

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/200...ideshow_2.html

"Bess NYC studded boots, $480 at Barneys New York. Calf leather city bag, $1,480, rectangular messenger bag, $3,110, and weekender, $4,200, all at Louis Vuitton. Leica new M9 digital camera, $6,995 at B & H Photo Video; woven flight bag, $1,350 at Bottega Veneta.
Photo: Andrew Giammarco for The New York Times"

Moderators: if I am breaking copyright rules, please excise my offending copy of the images from the article.

[Brian Sweeney]

You think that M9 will go with my $5 Pocket "T" from Penney's, $20 sneakers from Wal-Mart, and $95 1953 J-3 from Ebay?

I do.

[robklurfield]

Personally, I would have used the black painted one rather than the steel grey... especially with all the other black leather goods in this layout.

[robklurfield]

I can't speak for other men, but I can tell that I'm not buying any.

[jack palmer]

There aren't any women that I know that like men in studded boots and Black leather hand bags. But what do I know? I don't live in New York City

[Chris101]

Originally Posted by Journeyman

Please tell me that men are not actually buying handbags now!

You mean European carry-all.

[swoop]

Originally Posted by robklurfield

Leave it the newspaper of record (NYT: "all that fits, we print"), to show the M9 in an article on men's fashion in the Thursday Styles section. Right next to the shoes, watches and man-purses. Given that fashion, by definition, is made to go out of style, what does that say for one's potential $6995 investment? Will it go stale next season?

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/fa...ml?ref=fashion

I covered Fashion Night Out tonight and the Mayor, Kate Hudson, the editor of Vogue magazine, and the cast of rent were all there.

The official event photographer and some freelancer both asked me about my camera. And I explained it was the Leica M8.

I was also standing right beside the guy from the NY Times.

[swoop]

Originally Posted by filmfan

I think the placement of the M9 in the style section was more of a marketing strategy to advertise the M9 to those who can afford "style" and thus M9s...

Brad Pitt uses a Leica for a reason.

[jack palmer]

Originally Posted by swoop

Brad Pitt uses a Leica for a reason.

yea, because he can afford them.

[Nikon Bob]

Originally Posted by Brian Sweeney

You think that M9 will go with my $5 Pocket "T" from Penney's, $20 sneakers from Wal-Mart, and $95 1953 J-3 from Ebay?

I do.

Perfect match I'd say.

Bob

[Chris101]

Originally Posted by swoop

Brad Pitt uses a Leica for a reason.

I read somewhere that he had a Bessa III.