Jager Posted November 7, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm normally a patient guy. Rifle in hand, I can happily spend half a day still-hunting up a couple hundred yards of ridgeline. I like to sip my whisky. And while I enjoy the fast Latin beat of Shakira's Whenever, Wherever, I also appreciate the more measured richness of Beethoven's Fur Elise. You'd think, then, that this waiting for the M9 would be tolerable. That I'd look at it with the same equanimity that I try and bring to the other parts of my life. Alas. I put my name on the list at my local dealer the week before the 9/9 announcement. I was number two. After watching the show from New York that Tuesday morning I headed over to my dealer - important enough in the Leica scheme of things that the regional rep was spending the afternoon of the announcement there. I was naive enough to hope against hope that they might even have some cameras for sale that very day. The rumors had suggested immediate availability, after all. Alas. No worries. You figure they'll be coming in over the next few days. Surely it'll be in in time for that week-long motorcycle trip to New England in two weeks. Right? Well, no. Ok, have faith. Certainly it'll be here in time for that 3-day trip to West Virginia over Columbus day weekend. I mean, that's a full month after the announcement. Right? Er, no. And then we hear of the parts shortage which seems to have been behind all the delays. Ok, that makes sense. No worries, that stuff happens. It'll get squared away soon. And, sure enough, we hear reports that finally - finally - there is some significant production happening. A middling shipment next week. But then units will be shipping in quantity the week following. Not exactly. Sigh. Every day brings the hope that maybe this is the day you'll get the call. Every time your cell phone rings you look down hopefully at the display and are disappointed to see that it's just your wife ringing in. And then the afternoon wanes and you know it's not going to be this day. The good news? The good news is that you end your weekends with a tinge of happiness, instead of just the usual Sunday evening blues. Because you know the call is only going to happen on a weekday. So the arrival of Monday is something, for once, to embrace. The irony? The irony is that it once was the same with that M8 sitting there on my desk. And that new M9 that I yearn so longingly for right now will, in a few years time, likewise be relegated to a pedestrian status when the M10 makes its appearance. Patience... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 7, 2009 Posted November 7, 2009 Hi Jager, Take a look here Obsession & Irony. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lars_bergquist Posted November 7, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 7, 2009 I queued up for a M9 on September 11. I received it on November 2. That is less than two months, and in a market that is not especially favoured. So they are coming through. Just don't stop breathing. The old man from the Age of the M1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted November 7, 2009 Share #3 Posted November 7, 2009 I read between the lines I should pre-order the M10 and M11 monday I had a hard time waiting till September 9 but certainly expected I could get one the same day. And I got one by searching dealers till I found one who could deliver. Let's not forget that Leica Camera actually did improve a great deal with the introduction of the M9. Not only the viral marketing that was first class, but also the fact that the camera was actually available on release. I guess it should be possible to estimate, based on the M8, M9 and previous models such as MP and M7, what the market can easily absorb in the first week, and then have stocks ready. To me it means a lot that I can get it immediately. I lost interest in the M8 in the time from the mention of it to the actual camera surfaced, and I have the same feeling with the S2. There's just something about that it is new news, and you can get it now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucek Posted November 7, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 7, 2009 To me it means a lot that I can get it immediately. I lost interest in the M8 in the time from the mention of it to the actual camera surfaced, and I have the same feeling with the S2. One of the main reasons I decided not to buy an M9. I missed the events in my life I wanted it for, and while I waited it gave me time to compare my M8 against the M9. In the end I bought a demo M8.2 as I liked the top LCD, the fact that the framelines are the same as my M8, it has the sapphire glass display, it was less expensive than the M9 and was available now. The more I thought about it the more the M9 really didn't offer anything that I felt I needed. Had the camera been available soon after deivery I'm sure I would have bought one. Now? Eh... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanJW Posted November 7, 2009 Share #5 Posted November 7, 2009 I was number 14 when I signed up on 9/9/9. Still no camera. 8-( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemeng Posted November 7, 2009 Share #6 Posted November 7, 2009 Regardless of what the fanboys say, life is too short to spend it waiting for the Keystone Kamera Kompany to get their act together. I may buy a M9 in a couple of years, or so, but meanwhile my full-frame digital money will go elsewhere (think Sony A900). Ah Leica - nice lenses, pity they have forgotten how to make cameras =/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMB Posted November 7, 2009 Share #7 Posted November 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) The irony? The irony is that it once was the same with that M8 sitting there on my desk. And that new M9 that I yearn so longingly for right now will, in a few years time, likewise be relegated to a pedestrian status when the M10 makes its appearance. Patience... Well, went to my dealer today - one of two where I am on a waiting list. He had been to Leica and said that the situation is worse than with the M8. Leica had originally promised the dealers to fulfill all orders by the end of October but they now say that parts are not delivered and the M9 is coming out of Solms at a much slower pace than the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted November 7, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 7, 2009 To be fair, it seems that some of the subcontractors to Leica are not keeping their promises. Under these circumstances, it would be hard to keep the cameras flowing. I wonder if Canon went to the LCD manufacturer and bought their whole stock to slow down M9 production Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 7, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 7, 2009 I'm a bit confused; I got mine within a week of the announcement - but then I have an excellent relationship with some good dealers. To be truthful, one of them even called me that he had reserved one for me without my even knowing. So I could have had two within the week... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted November 7, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 7, 2009 Jaap, With all due respect, I think you've got a slightly myopic view of availability from Europe. In the US, even the dealers with excellent relationships with Leica were initially suggesting to their customers at the top of the list that they should be receiving their cameras in a week or two of the announcement but then couldn't deliver on the promise as Leica hadn't got the cameras to ship! A few had initial stock, but a lot of others have been stuck with orders, mis-set customer expectations and a lack of supply from Leica. My experience was similar, almost scarily similar in fact, to Jager. I've had my camera for a couple of weeks now but that's only because I changed to black vs grey. (Which no doubt will now be delivered in droves ... ). Of course the irony is that each of the 51 days leading up to delivery seemed to have been much longer and much slower than the 8 days since I got my camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 7, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 7, 2009 Or maybe it was plain luck. Congratulations on your camera Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted November 8, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 8, 2009 Jeff - I am very sorry you are still waiting. It is a drag, for you and all. The M8 may have been rushed and QC overlooked; the M9 arrives in excellent shape but demand outstrips all supply. That's really unfortunate. It's also really unfortunate Andrew's sufficiently upset to equate Leica with the Keystone Kops. I am a fanboy, and I have an M9, so this is easy to say, but I hope people remember that Leica is a tiny company and demand for a hit product is great. That said, I have tremendous empathy for Jeff and all those waiting. It is maddening, and as great as our M8s are, you want to put your hands on an M9. When hope dims, either humor or prayer are called for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager Posted November 8, 2009 Author Share #13 Posted November 8, 2009 Thanks John, et al. Aye, I'm disappointed in the apparent bitterness towards Leica that Andrew seems to feel these days. I've long enjoyed his website and his perspectives on Leica gear. I wonder what went awry there. If having an enormous fondness for a marque makes one a "fanboy," then that label certainly applies to me. Leicas are quite special to me. And I feel no particular need to defend that preference to those who might feel otherwise. It's a big world. Find what you like is my advice to folks. And although the waiting is certainly hard, the point of my post was not to criticize Leica - I have absolutely zero doubt that there are good business reasons that things are the way they are - but rather to illuminate a rather fascinating bit of introspection. That a man of normally calm demeanor can be drawn to obsessive tendencies. Even as he recognizes the irony inherent in it. That can probably be answered... because I'm one of those fanboys! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkor AIS Posted November 8, 2009 Share #14 Posted November 8, 2009 Well Im tired of waiting. I got a M3 about a month ago thinking it get me into the M mind set and tied me over until the M9 would become available. If you think the M9 is rare in the US you should try Canada. My dealer basically said there not getting any before the new year:( And now that I have my third M lens (15,35 50) I really want/need a second body ASAP. So I guess ill just have to settle for a nice used M6, M4P or another M3. I have zero interest in the M8. And for the price that people are dumping there Film leica's these days for the difference in price of the M9 I can buy a lot of film. Im not impatient it,s just I choose not to wait. Gregory Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted November 8, 2009 Share #15 Posted November 8, 2009 Look on the bright side, the wait for the M9 means that you can save for the inevitable new lens lust that will undoubtedly follow having a full frame digital M in your hands. (Unfortunately I speak from Leica gear lust experience - I bought a Noctilux today! AGAIN!! ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted November 8, 2009 Share #16 Posted November 8, 2009 Or maybe it was plain luck. Congratulations on your camera Jaap, there's nothing wrong with luck/good fortune!! I know I'll take it whenever I can get it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted November 8, 2009 Share #17 Posted November 8, 2009 I' The good news? The good news is that you end your weekends with a tinge of happiness, instead of just the usual Sunday evening blues. Because you know the call is only going to happen on a weekday. So the arrival of Monday is something, for once, to embrace. Patience... Your sentiments echo mine in every detail Jeff, and in particular the paragraph above, and the hope that 'this is the week'. But I think all those people who have their M9 won't possibly appreciate it as much as somebody who has 'done time' on the waiting list. Opening the box can only be sweeter if the pain has been endured, and in years to come those that served their time will look back and nod knowingly to each other as brothers who have shared adversity. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted November 10, 2009 Share #18 Posted November 10, 2009 Look on the bright side, the wait for the M9 means that you can save for the inevitable new lens lust that will undoubtedly follow having a full frame digital M in your hands. (Unfortunately I speak from Leica gear lust experience - I bought a Noctilux today! AGAIN!! ) lucky you..now that's heaven!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted November 13, 2009 Share #19 Posted November 13, 2009 Regardless of what the fanboys say, life is too short to spend it waiting for the Keystone Kamera Kompany to get their act together. Yikes:eek: You do know what three K's in a row mean in the U.S., right? This thread is kind of harsh, me thinks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jager Posted November 14, 2009 Author Share #20 Posted November 14, 2009 Well, I received some good news today. I'll be leaving tomorrow on a week-long hunting trip and will not have access to telephone, email, or internet. Since I'm number one on my local dealer's list and didn't want to lose my spot in the queue, I drove over and asked if I could go ahead and pre-pay for the camera. That way if it came in while I'm gone they could just put it aside for me, instead of going down to the next guy on the list when I didn't return their call. They let me do that. But even better, the dealer checked and, sure enough, Leica is shipping him a camera next week. My camera. It'll be the first silver grey model he has received. Finally there's light at the end of this tunnel! Now I can't wait to get back! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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