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Leica to Launch M10 before Photokina?


StephenPatterson

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OK, this isn't much to go on, but I just received an email from the Leica Akademie with their lineup of classes for 2012. Specifically the class known as the "M9 Shooting Experience" is now being called the "Leica Digital-M Experience". There is also a new class specifically for "Leica M9 Owners".

 

The Digital-M Experience classes listed run from Feb-May, so if nothing is coming out before Photokina why the name change now? Is Leica just getting ready for September?

 

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Here's the old schedule and the old name...

 

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From the change of the workshop name I would rather think that they now take care not to repel the mere M8 users.

 

Perhaps you are correct, but when I took this class last July there was no mention of the M8, except to ask how many of us were "moving up". IMHO the class was designed to "showcase" the M9 and Leica lenses with a goal toward future sales. The voucher, which refunds most of the cost of the class against the purchase of a new M camera or lens, also suggests the ultimate goal is selling new products, not legacy products.

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I think you are reading too much into the name change. Stefan Daniel has already publicly stated something along the lines that Leica were pleased with the three year product life-cycle they obtained from the M8/8.2 and they expect the same or a little longer from the M9. Reading between the lines, I wouldn't expect Leica to launch the M10 before Photokina but I personally expect at least an announcement (if not immediate availability) of the camera at that event. Of course, Leica might launch the M10 in 2013 at a special event of their own making (as they did with the M9) but I suspect they will be looking to make a bigger splash at the 2012 Photokina than they managed at the 2008 and 2010 events and the M10 fits the bill perfectly.

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Ian, you are probably correct. But, if Leica isn't going to announce anything before Photokina wouldn't the easiest course have been NOT to change the name? I mean, if you've already announced and published the "M9 Shooting Experience" schedule from October 2011 though May 2012 then why go to all the trouble and confusion of changing the name now to the "Digital-M Shooting Experience" covering the exact same timeline?

 

My point is that Leica has jumped the gun with this name change. Why? Why change the name of a program running through May if you're not going to announce anything new until September?

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They now realise that adding M8 users will not necessarily impact adversely on M9 sales. To the contrary. It makes sense to use an all-embracing title.

 

If M8 owners show up they will be given M9s and taught menu functions about the M9 (until something newer comes along). Obviously there are many similar features between the 2 cameras, but the main purpose of this class is to test drive new cameras, not legacy products.

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Maybe a different person in the PR department put the flyer together.

 

My guess, too. Probably somebody who a) doesn’t want to alienate M8.x owners and B) is … strict[1] enough to count the M9-P and the Titan as a separate models.

 

Cheers,

-Sascha

 

 

 

[1]: Please exchange “strict” with whatever term you see fit. Colourful metaphors included.

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Is it this camera you have in mind?:D

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