Vote - Who is going to buy M9M?

[edftwin]

i cant find a point of creating such thread...why you want to know how many people are not going to buy? Because you want to convince yourself not to get one or you want to know how many people cant afford it? Just leave the rich to buy it and keep Leica moving forward with their business. It's hard to satisfy everyone at the end...

[benmacphoto]

Can't understand all the hate around this camera.
I'd consider getting one if I was able to do a side by side comparison with an M9.

[f16sunshine]

Well to be honest as in... truly honest. This camera scares me a bit. I love digital for color. I'm happy that film represents bw images better (imo) than digital in the traditional way. If a digital camera is developed that can replace film it will be sad from a nostalgic standpoint. I love bw film workflow. It's that connection to the history of photography that still makes sense to spend time and effort to achieve. For sure it's fun to kid about the price of the M mono. It's not the price that "threatens" my sensibilities. It is the reality that bw film might soon be replicatable in a very undeniably more effiecient way. I won't buy this camera new. It could be the camera that paces the way for the one I may not be able to resist in the future.

[Sunti]

I won't pay that much for any digital camera. My M7 can do both color and BW just fine.

[maddoc]

I would be interested into trying that camera because it is something new in 135 equivalent sensor size. Only problem, a backup is needed at some point (I would consider the M9-P to be also able to take color images) and that added amount of money is way out of reach. So ... without a first class lottery win it won`t happen for me any time and I will happily continue developing my own BW films (.. and meanwhile wait for hopefully stunning images others might take with the new M9-M)

[bobby_novatron]

I like what f16sunshine said -- I feel very similar.

In related news, I was quite impressed by the results of the M9M ... when the conditions are right, there is some very pleasing tonality to the B+W images that really make me think there's really something special about that camera.

But then I went to flickr and looked up some images taken with a Leica M6 and Tri-X, and right away I thought 'WOW'. No hesitation -- the images grabbed me. Frankly, I think any half-decent photographer with a good camera and lens + some good B&W film can meet or exceed the results of the M9M for most mortals. And that's not even including enthusiasts who shoot strictly digital and love their digital workflow. There are beautiful images done by those people as well.

So I voted 'no' in the poll -- but I think the results will be more a reflection of the how much disposable income the members of RFF have, as opposed to their irrational love of the Leica brand. I mean, let's face it -- most of us have better things to do with $8000.

If I were to buy something with that kind of dough, it would be some fantastic glass -- Summilux, whatever. The left over money would buy me years of film to shoot afterward. Win-win!

It is truly a shame they priced this camera into the stratosphere -- otherwise it would have been a great 2nd body for a lot of pros and Leica enthusiasts alike. As it is, it will probably remain a low-volume niche product for a long time going forward.

[Doug]

I will not be a buyer at any price, because a few years ago I realized that color is important to me. Back when I first got my M8 I used it in B&W mode exclusively... at first! I am impressed with the intriguing concept though.

[bwcolor]

Originally Posted by Black

Not as long as I have my M6, Neopan and a hole in my arse.

Thanks for the levity. I wish you the best. Have many hundreds of rolls of Neopan in the freezer.

[armanius]

I would if I didn't already have a M9 and M7, really liked B&W photography, and had $ to spare.

High price is clearly a concern for most people. But does anyone have any reliable information on how much the production cost is for each MM?

[Ryan1938]

The bigger question for the future of Leica as an artist's tool:

What young relevant photographer/artist can afford anything Leica puts on the market?

[shadowfox]

I have a change of heart on this one.
Last week I gave a typical knee-jerk reaction: No way!

But over the weekend, I realize that I was mainly reacting to the price. Now I think that it would actually be really nice to have B&W images straight from the camera.

I will always have another digital camera (or film) to do color images, so why not a B&W digital?

Of course, rhinos will quack before I could justify the price of an M9M, but if one of those oddball manufacturers like Ricoh or Olympus or Cosina came up with one... why not?

[goo0h]

I'll probably buy a 2nd ZI and/or Bessa III before buying the M9M.

[rizraz]

If my calculation was correct, I may get 26,000ft of films to bulk roll (well not TriX or HP5, but who cares)....... I'm sticking with that much films.

[cosmonaut]

What will it do that Lightroom won't and why didn't they just add it to the firmware? Oh I know they are to good to have art filters like everyone else.

[Lss]

Originally Posted by cosmonaut

What will it do that Lightroom won't and why didn't they just add it to the firmware? Oh I know they are to good to have art filters like everyone else.

The approach is completely different. It is not cheating with art filters.

[f16sunshine]

Originally Posted by Ryan1938

The bigger question for the future of Leica as an artist's tool:

What young relevant photographer/artist can afford anything Leica puts on the market?

That's sort of a loaded question. Who says an artists needs something Leica is putting on the market.
I don't consider myself an artist as much as a tradesman. When I started (mid 80's) there was no way I could afford even what Nikon was putting on the market. There were plenty of other tool options as there are today.
Leica is at this point not catering to young artist. That's their choice as a company and I guess I'm cool with it even if, I personally also am left out of their target demography (although for my own reasons).

[jsrockit]

25 people from this thread alone are buying? It appears Leica will do just fine with this camera.

[Phil_F_NM]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

25 people from this thread alone are buying? It appears Leica will do just fine with this camera.

Exactly. $200000 right there.
Then take a conservative to liberal spread on a bell curve of the "will consider and you have an extra ~$128000 - ~$256000. I think Leica can reliably count on $.5M in sales from RFF users alone.

Phil Forrest

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by Ryan1938

The bigger question for the future of Leica as an artist's tool:

What young relevant photographer/artist can afford anything Leica puts on the market?

A young relevant photographer/artist does not need a M9M to produce good work.

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by f16sunshine

Leica is at this point not catering to young artist. That's their choice as a company and I guess I'm cool with it even if, I personally also am left out of their target demography (although for my own reasons).

At no point in history was Leica catering to broke young artist.

[Phil_F_NM]

Originally Posted by Araakii

At no point in history was Leica catering to broke young artist.

No but they WERE catering to the full-time working professional photographer. A craft that was never known for it's lucrative earnings.

Phil Forrest

[seakayaker1]

. . . . . waited to repsond. On day one it was a definite NO!

Day five it is 'Will Consider' since it is price prohibited but would buy one under the right circumstances. (which of course could be having a GAS attack, causing a domino effect of selling of other gear in order to work with the M9M)

For the time being time and patience.

[dave lackey]

Like Dan, I waited until there was more information...the answer today is sure, I would definitely buy one down the road. Also would like an X2 Monochrome.

But then, I would want a color version of each, too....GAS indeed and no cash.

[whitecat]

Looks like the ship is sinking.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by dave lackey

Like Dan, I waited until there was more information...the answer today is sure, I would definitely buy one down the road. Also would like an X2 Monochrome.

But then, I would want a color version of each, too....GAS indeed and no cash.

Hang ... on don't those cameras you mention do both colour and black and white with appropriate software?