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New pic of Seal's M


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Well known photographer: I go for Annie Leibovitz.

B.T.W. I was up near Rhinebeck, NY when the ‘’famous’’ Clinton wedding was happening

last year.

(The place was locked down with security) The wedding rehearsal was held over at

Annie’s barn…. so, I assume she was the wedding photog.

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Is this a mass-market item that requires a "universally" famous photographer that the public would recognize? :confused:

 

That's my point really. Is Leica selling to working photographers or to rich amateurs? Famous, contemporary photographers are not likely to mean anything to most amateurs now that newspapers and magazines aren't as influencial as they once were... most won't know the name. Additionally, Seal isn't that relevant to the mainstream these days either... perhaps his wife still is. I'd say that Leica trying to do soemthing with Magnum is a very good step in the right direction.

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Well known photographer: I go for Annie Leibovitz.

B.T.W. I was up near Rhinebeck, NY when the ‘’famous’’ Clinton wedding was happening

last year.

(The place was locked down with security) The wedding rehearsal was held over at

Annie’s barn…. so, I assume she was the wedding photog.

 

Maybe not a good choice for a luxury brand in recent times ... from wiki:

 

"Financial troubles:

 

In February 2009, Leibovitz borrowed $15.5 million, having experienced financial challenges in recent years.[30] She put up as collateral, not only several houses, but the rights to all of her photographs.[31] The New York Times noted “one of the world’s most successful photographers essentially pawned every snap of the shutter she had made or will make until the loans are paid off.”[30] In July 2009, a breach of contract lawsuit against Leibovitz was filed by Art Capital Group in the amount of $24 million regarding the repayment of these loans.[32] In a follow-up article,[33] the Times explores why an artist of her standing could be in such financial straits, despite a $50 million archive. They cite a "long history of less than careful financial dealings," and "a recent series of personal issues." The latter include the recent loss of her father, her mother, her companion (Susan Sontag), the addition of two children to her family, and the controversial renovation of three properties in Greenwich Village. In early September 2009, an Associated Press story quoted legal experts as saying that filing for bankruptcy reorganization might offer Leibovitz her best chance to control and direct the disposition of her assets to satisfy debts.[34] On September 11, Art Capital Group withdrew its lawsuit against Leibovitz, and extended the due date for repayment of the $24 million loan. Under the agreement, Leibovitz retains control over her work, and will be the "exclusive agent in the sale of her real property (land) and copyrights."[35]

 

In March, 2010, Colony Capital concluded a new financing and marketing agreement with Leibovitz, paying off Art Capital and removing or reducing the risks of Leibovitz losing her artistic and real estate.[36]

 

In April 2010 Brunswick Capital Partners filed suit against Leibovitz, claiming that they are owed several hundred thousand dollars for helping her restructure her debt."

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--"Hey, man! Like, what's that funny camera Seal's carryin', huh?"

 

--"Leroy said it's a Leica."

 

--"Leica, huh? Never heard of it. Funny-lookin', too, not big like everybody else carries."

 

 

__________________

 

 

 

--"Hey, did you see that Leica has given Seal another camera?"

 

--"Yeah, the new M9. Sure wish they'd give me one."

 

 

__________________

 

 

 

Two different takes on the same scene. People who know Leica don't need to be told what it is. People who don't may just become aware of the name through this kind of marketing.

 

For you and me, it doesn't make any difference because we know what an M9 is. For most people, neither "Seal" nor "Leica" is a household name. For some who know "Seal" but don't know "Leica," this may help to make "Leica" a more common term again.

 

Where's the problem with that?

 

 

__________________

 

 

 

BTW--Dirk, thanks for posting the links to Seal's pictures. I hadn't seen them before.

.

.

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Well known photographer: I go for Annie Leibovitz.

B.T.W. I was up near Rhinebeck, NY when the ‘’famous’’ Clinton wedding was happening

last year.

(The place was locked down with security) The wedding rehearsal was held over at

Annie’s barn…. so, I assume she was the wedding photog.

 

The Clinton wedding was photographed by Genevieve De Manio. Annie Leibovitz is probably the most famous photographer in America and she certainly has worked with a Leica. However, I believe much of her recent work is done with Canon and Hasselblad (I'm guessing based on some online videos). Of course, she can use whatever she wants to, and her choices change from time to time. :)

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I don't understand fora members who says that there us too much negativity in this forum. Anybody should be encuraged to post their opinions, just because you don't agree with another person opinion, doesn't mean that it is negative. "The M9 sucks" or "the M9 is too expensive" may well be many photographers opinion and I respectfully desagree and I would not want to engage in a discusion trying to convince otherwise but I would tell them why I value the M system and why it works for ME. I know what I value in a camera system and I really don't care what others think, but I always encurage people to post their opinions or experiences. I find it so strange that Steve Huff closed for comments in his article, why not encurage views and opinions, no matter what they are?

 

p.s if you think there is too much negativity in this forum, you spend too little time taking photos and too much time discussing photography :)

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Seal used to be Forum member and, I suppose if he still is, will be disappointed by your inability to recognize a fellow Member.

 

I've not bothered googling, I know fromthe thread he is a musician, and a forum member.

Do Leica advertise?

 

Noel

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This is from his photo site dated Feb 28. It appears to be the same camera everyone is speculating about, except for the strap. So maybe he is not carrying an "M9-P" at all, it's just a plain M9 Titanium perhaps?

 

PS: Some of his photos are not all that bad, I didn't really know who he was before Googling him but you don't have to bash him and ALL his photos.

 

CORRECTION: On second look, it's not the same camera, mea culpa.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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FWIW (nothing) I met Seal a few years ago when I was freelancing in the music 'biz' in London. He struck me as a really nice, polite, and unassuming guy.

 

And his appearances on the S2 forum when he was given a free one, seemed to support that view: a very nice chap indeed :)

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That's my point really. Is Leica selling to working photographers or to rich amateurs? Famous, contemporary photographers are not likely to mean anything to most amateurs now that newspapers and magazines aren't as influencial as they once were... most won't know the name. Additionally, Seal isn't that relevant to the mainstream these days either... perhaps his wife still is. I'd say that Leica trying to do soemthing with Magnum is a very good step in the right direction.

 

First of all - following this forum for almost 5 years now, when I initially acquired my M8 and since then I am under the constant impression that the M8 wasn't a tool used to make a living. The M9 seems to have a better standing, but still is "only" a niche camera for certain occasions (which is ok, horses for courses etc..).

 

So, to answer your question: the majority is most likely rich amateurs.

Mind you, this is totally subjective from my observations and nothing to be ashamed of, just a different segment of customers you would market to.

 

As for "why is Seal chosen and not some well known photographer": you mentioned the Magnum/Leica initiative.

 

What I currently recognize is a twofold strategy that caters to lifestyle customers (and Seal isn't a bad testimonial for that segment) and fans of great photographers by cooperating with Magnum - both work via transfer of image.

 

I do not doubt that quite a large number of Magnum photographers use Leicas, but I bet they would be more concerned if one morning their C's and N's were not working, than if their Leicas wouldn't ;)

 

So, maybe a third marketing initiative is already in motion, targeted to professional photogs - something I wouldn't notice, since I am mostly segment a) without the riches.

 

Dirk

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It is not an M6J. The line between the chrome and the dark covering material seems unbroken from the edge of the camera until the lens mount. If this was an M6J, that line would be broken by the presence of the chromed lever used to select film rewind mode.

 

Best regards,

 

Doug

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Well, in the "ranting" post supposedly by this "Seal", he states clearly that he does not have an M9-P and that the camera he is carrying is not one.

 

Why does everyone insist that it is?

 

It's called a "Non-Disclosure Agreement" and you can be sure that anyone with knowledge or access to unreleased Leica products has signed one. After I saw these first photos of Seal in the airport I thought it must just be an accident (perhaps it was) that the M9-P was identified. The twitter pic that Seal subsequently posted showing the top of the M9-P looks like it came straight from the marketing department in Solms and leaves no doubt that this was a Leica sanctioned leak.

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