Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/02/28

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Subject: RE: [Leica] new M camera thoughts
From: "Kit McChesney | acmefoto" <kitmc@acmefoto.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 10:08:07 -0700

Jerry--

G'morning. ;-)

You know, I have no idea what that reference to "limited edition-ness"
means, or if it's true. My rep has not given me any information about the
camera's being issued in limited quantities. I'm sure if the thing sells
well, we'll see more. Any company would be nuts not to sell something that
people really want.

The proper release of this camera has actually been a little snafu-ed, only
because another "version," or one similar to the one we've been talking
about, was shown in pictures from a source in Japan, and that started a
whole slew of rumors that spun out of control. I have no solid info on that
camera (the so-called "MP6") at all. The writeups I've seen (or
translations, since my Japanese is a bit rusty these days!) referred to a
limited edition. I assume people are transferring that idea over to this
camera. But who knows? I think we'll know the real story on Sunday.

As far as how this one differs from the Japanese "version," I'm not totally
sure, but from what I can see from pictures, there are a few small
differences. The wraps are different, the engraving on the top is slightly
different (not by much). As far as the technical specs go, I can't answer to
that, as I have nothing on the so-called "Japanese" MP6.

I know some LUG'ers will be at PMA and will see the camera there, and some
will be visiting with my rep during the conference, so I suspect we'll get
some first-hand accounts by some savvy handlers when they return. I have not
seen the camera myself. The reps were supposed to keep their samples under
lock and key until the debut announcement at PMA.

Kit

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Jerry
Lehrer
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 9:22 AM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: [Leica] new M camera thoughts


Kit

I totally agree with you, but that "Villager" implied otherwise.

BTW, how does "this" one differ from the Japanese version?
Or does it?

Jerry

Kit McChesney | acmefoto wrote:

> Jerry--
>
> You know, I have not heard from any official source (meaning Leica USA or
> Leica AG) that this camera is limited to a few hundred for the U.S. That
is
> something that is news to me. I have all the technical specs, as well as
the
> delivery schedule, and the notes from Leica USA announcing the camera, as
> well as other materials including pictures, etc., and there is no mention
> made of its being limited. I'm not sure if people are confusing this
camera
> with the one that is apparently being released in Japan (the other one
that
> everyone assumed was "this" one a few days ago).
>
> We'll have to wait until Sunday, when the official announcement is out.
I'd
> bet--though I'm no psychic and have no idea what Leica is up to--that they
> are releasing their initial run of these and then perhaps seeing how sales
> go, and then they'll go into full-fledged production on the camera once
they
> see what the market is doing. That would be my prediction. (That's what
I'd
> do if I were able to make such a decision!).
>
> Stay tuned. I'm going to do the same. ;-)
>
> Kit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Jerry
> Lehrer
> Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 8:47 PM
> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject: Re: [Leica] new M camera thoughts
>
> Rich and Chris (maybe Kit too)
>
> Can anyone explain the merchandising concept of coming out with a
desirable
> camera and then limiting production or distribution to a few hundred.
>
> Don't give me the "Exclusivity" bullshit.  Leica is out to make money,
which
> means
> getting more sales, not restricting sales.  At the prices asked, I am
> certain
> that
> Leica can produce all the cameras that people want to buy.
>
> Jerry
>
> Christopher Williams wrote:
>
> > Gotta love him.
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <Photovilla@aol.com>
> >
> > Subject: [Leica] new M camera thoughts
> >
> > > Hi Folks,
> > >
> > > Of course if I saw any new Leicas cameras at my store recently it
would
> be
> > a secret until next week. However,
> > >
> > >  ...wouldn't it be cool if Leica made a new camera called the MP that
> was
> > targeted right at professionals who still like to shoot film with a
> > rangefinder camera? (Not those majority of pro's who want a Canon 1Ds or
a
> > Nikon D2x.)
> > >
> > > It could have an industrial pebbled leather and a black paint top and
> > bottom, making it look sort of "tough and generic." Not a piece of
> jewelry.
> > >
> > > It would also have a small SS dial that turned in the direction of the
> M6
> > classic and all metal PV lever, rewind knob like the Millennium/M3,
> advance
> > lever like the Millennium/M3 and a meter like the TTL with the green dot
> in
> > the middle.
> > >
> > > Of course if it is aimed at a these retro professionals, it would have
> no
> > markings at all on the front. Nothing that says Leica, no engravings,
just
> > plain black paint from the front. They could save the script "Leica"
> > engraving for the top plate where it belongs as on M3/M2/M4's. Leave it
> > there with just "MP-"and the serial number.
> > >
> > > The camera would have to be all mechanical of course...but it should
> also
> > have low flare windows like the M7, and of course would be all brass. It
> > would be the size of an M6 of course, not with the windows that are 2mm
> > taller like the M6 TTL, but the original M3-4 size instead.
> > >
> > > It would have a black paint Leicavit made of brass shockingly similar
to
> > Tom's rapid winder (would Tom make them? Me thinks YES!) ...but most
> > important THE RANGEFINDER WOULDN'T FLARE at all.
> > >
> > > They would have to finally get that one right so that no "white out"
> > occurs at any angle. Just like the good 'ol M3.
> > >
> > > Why not throw in a slotted battery cover along with the regular one
for
> > those who like to use a coin to change batteries faster?
> > >
> > > The kicker is that only a couple hundred might ever make it to the US
> > though...that is if such a camera is made...
> > >
> > >
> > > ;-)
> > >
> > > cheers,
> > > rich
> > > --
> > > To unsubscribe, see
http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html
> > >
> >
> > --
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>
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