M digital - MP, M7 or a la carte?

[like_no_other]

Sooner or later Leica will offer different styles of the digital M.

Assumed that they will start with a kind of standard model, maybe M7 like (with a little bit more automatic functions). Will you wait for the availability of the other model(s) or just buy the first one because it's the first digital version, regardless that you would like the other models better.

As far as I know the a la carte models sell best in the analogue world. Therefore I'm surprised that this topic hasn't come up yet in the discussions about the digital M.

Or isn't design an issue for you? Isn't it still as important as it has been in analogue times?

Best regards

[marknorton]

I berated Leica for the a la carte when it first came out and likened it to Nero playing the violin while Rome burned.

With the M8, I don't see any point in making it look like a classic M with rewind knobs and all, but I can certainly see the point of personalising the camera with different leathers, engraving of the top plate. I'd even quite like my signature on the top plate but being a bit of a show-off, it's a bit flamboyant and won't fit into the available space...

[Bob Ross]

Hi Mark,
I will probably stick with the basic black to help it fit in with my M5 & M6, but like you the thought of a personalized version is fun. If contrary to opinions about digital's rapid obsolecence, the M8 is one that will last, changing the leathers down the road is a possibility. Going hog wild and getting a titanium or gold lizard skinned gem would imply that it was for display. I did see a fellow using a gold lizard skinned M6 on the street in San Francisco. He was a little self conscious...
Bob

[marknorton]

Well personalising it with your name at least removes any doubts about its re-sale value and likely depreciation. You'll know for sure it will be worth next to nothing to someone else...

[leicapfile]

For one I'd love to see the "Old Style" Leica script/serial number on the top cover as standard and not an ala-carte.

It was there as standard up through the M5 I think and just part of the camera.

Worth what Leica charges through ala-carte to get it now? Probably not, but in this day of CNC machining on brass (and on a body projected to cost $5K US), shouldn't add much to the cost. A nice 'old' embellishment to their 'newest ' product. Would seem to fit well.

[earleygallery]

Maybe I'm wrong, but most users choosing a la carte seem to have done so in order to have the viewfinder/advance lever/rewind lever or their choice, i.e. specs which affect the useability of the camera. As these won't be issues on the M8, I don't think many will need to consider a la carte options.

OK I'm sure plenty have also ordered the coloured leather and engraving too but its for fun rather than functional purposes.