Querying interest in another production run of the MP Titanium

[enboe]

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So, I've seen two of the Leica Ginza Titanium MP's sell on the big auction site for $35,000. It would seem Leica could maybe make a profit with another production lot, perhaps priced in the $10,000-12,000 range. The original price was $8,000 if I remember correctly. They even could make it a Leica 99 or Leica 100 years edition if they wanted to differentiate it from the Ginza edition.

 

Who would be interested in such a camera? I would be.

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[Humood]

I was trying to find any source that sold these beauties second hand but unfortunately failed, I would sell all my M6s and my M4s for one of these Titanium M6. Let us wait and see.

[wattsy]

Who would be interested in such a camera? I would be.

 

I wouldn't, even at regular MP prices, but I'd imagine if you approach Solms with a viable order – say, 100 units at $5-10,000 each – they'd be very happy to listen.

[earleygallery]

Why pay so much for what is essentially just a different 'paint finish'.

 

The Titanium still uses brass top/bottom plates, coated with titanium instead of chrome.

 

Even the M9Tit isn't made from solid titanium, it just a 'wrap' of metal around the standard body.

[andyedward]

I doubt leica will ever produce a special edition MP or M7 again. The opportunity to release a 10th anniversary MP passed last year, which to me would have been the obvious choice. I guess that film M's make little profit when compared to digital sales, though now that leica is making such a healthy profit, perhaps the time has come to pay homage to the photographic medium the company began with by making another special edition. I understand that leica has previously been through some difficult financial times, and the current owners are only too aware of this, hence profit is a main priority.

 

To me it seemed ironic that whilst leica played heavily on its historic assosciation with "Henri" during the Monochroms unveiling, the film M's HCB took his iconic images with continued to gather dust in the minds of leicas upper echelons.

 

Judging by their almost zero marketing profile, leica appear happy to consign film M's to history. It seems like the continuation of film M production is seen by leica as a token gesture, as their cessation may provide negative publicity by the wider photographic community: "Have you heard the shocking news: leica have stopped producing film cameras. How terrible of them"! In reality however, only a miniscule percentage of all photographers would be affected by such news.

 

Despite being a newcomer to leica, I was just in time to celebrate the MP's 10th anniversary when my bog standard, brand-new MP arrived on 06/12/12. Who needs a special edition!

[antistatic]

I agree that the "base model" MP is already special enough.

[aesop]

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Why pay so much for what is essentially just a different 'paint finish'.

 

The Titanium still uses brass top/bottom plates, coated with titanium instead of chrome.

 

Even the M9Tit isn't made from solid titanium, it just a 'wrap' of metal around the standard body.

 

 

...James, I fear I have to contradict your assertion that the Leica MP Titanium is essentially just a different paint finish.

 

My understanding is that, for the Leica M7 Titanium (2005), "the top plate and 30 other external fittings of this gorgeous anniversary model are milled from solid titanium, one of the hardest metals known". Source: Leica Bulletin 59 | 1/2005.

 

The Leica MP Titanium (2007) "is an incredibly attractive camera, all exterior metal parts and fittings were using Titanium metal which used the same manufacturing process for the LEICA M7 Titanium. According the the press release, there were 30 parts and fittings involved with using this light weight and incredibly strong, corrosive resistant metal to protect its internal components. Titanium parts which extends to use on the film speed index disc at the rear section. In comparison with the standard production unit, this MP Titan weighs approx. 90g lighter. The entire edition consists of only 150 units which has Serial Number controls from 001~150/150 engraved on the accessory shoe.". More details here.

 

Both M7 and MP Titanium limited edition camera bodies were similarly priced at launch. Hope this helps.

[CalArts 99]

That's correct. The titanium M6 (with the ostrich/emu covering) was just a titanium finish over the standard M6 body, but these special edition versions were milled from solid titanium.

[earleygallery]

My bad, as they say!

[pico]

Who would be interested in such a camera? I would be.

 

The Titanium reminds me of the cheapest Chevrolet compact re-badged to the Cadillac marque: a total farce.

.

[philipus]

Despite being a newcomer to leica, I was just in time to celebrate the MP's 10th anniversary when my bog standard, brand-new MP arrived on 06/12/12.

 

Just wanted to say I'm happy your MP finally arrived!

[smkoush]

I ...The opportunity to release a 10th anniversary MP passed last year, which to me would have been the obvious choice....Despite being a newcomer to leica, I was just in time to celebrate the MP's 10th anniversary when my bog standard, brand-new MP arrived on 06/12/12. Who needs a special edition!

 

The 10th year anniversary of the MP is 2013 and not 2012. The M7 was introduced in 2002, but the MP was introduced in 2003.

[andyedward]

The 10th year anniversary of the MP is 2013 and not 2012. The M7 was introduced in 2002, but the MP was introduced in 2003.

 

My copy of "Leica Pocket Book: 8th Edition" mentions MP production starting from 2002 (p62), whereas I just found that cameraquest and wikipedia mention 2003

[thrice]

Further to this, the M9 Titanium also had all external parts milled from solid titanium.

 

...James, I fear I have to contradict your assertion that the Leica MP Titanium is essentially just a different paint finish.

 

My understanding is that, for the Leica M7 Titanium (2005), "the top plate and 30 other external fittings of this gorgeous anniversary model are milled from solid titanium, one of the hardest metals known". Source: Leica Bulletin 59 | 1/2005.

 

The Leica MP Titanium (2007) "is an incredibly attractive camera, all exterior metal parts and fittings were using Titanium metal which used the same manufacturing process for the LEICA M7 Titanium. According the the press release, there were 30 parts and fittings involved with using this light weight and incredibly strong, corrosive resistant metal to protect its internal components. Titanium parts which extends to use on the film speed index disc at the rear section. In comparison with the standard production unit, this MP Titan weighs approx. 90g lighter. The entire edition consists of only 150 units which has Serial Number controls from 001~150/150 engraved on the accessory shoe.". More details here.

 

Both M7 and MP Titanium limited edition camera bodies were similarly priced at launch. Hope this helps.

[semi-ambivalent]

Every unit of production resources devoted to a special edition is at least part of a unit taken away from fulfilling current M240 orders. People have been very patient, actually trying to be M owners; if Leica would just let them. A special edition now would be good for the coffers but negligent of the legacy and its customer base.

 

BTW, my MP took three months from configurator to being in my hands. I have no idea how much Leica products share production flow. Maybe Leica techs have to 'shift gears' regularly.

 

s-a

[budrichard]

I suspect any film M's currently being built or in the future are assembled from previously manufactured parts.

I also suspect when these parts are gone so are new M's and major repairs.-Dick

[pop]

Question: Will you continue to produce the M7 and the MP?

 

Stefan Daniel: Yes, we will continue the production of the M7 and the MP. There is a continuing demand. While things remain that way we will keep on offering those cameras.

 

Alfred Schopf: We will certainly not cease the production of our analog M in the year of Leica’s centennial.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/news/257136-leica-photokina-q-transcript.html

[regular]

Hi,

 

I would definitely get a Titanium MP body if it is reasonably priced.

 

From my point of view, it makes more sense to buy an edition-limited film camera, rather than a digital camera whose sensor will not be serviced in a decade.

 

BTW, Nice to see some contributors continue to we'll-sourced comments. Sometimes.

 

Here is a 2010 interview with Leica Ginza's representative, Shiyo Takahashi. People keeps on contacting Ginza to enquiry about the MP's availability

Interview with Shiyo Takahashi, Leica Ginza Shop | japan exposures

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[regular]

Hi,

 

I would certainly buy a MP Titanium if reasonably priced.

 

Here is a 2010 interview with Leica Ginza's representative, Shiyo Takahashi. He was mentioning that his Leica gallery/shop kept on receiving enquiries regarding the MP titanium's availability! (unfortunately, it was a limited run of 150 units, and I presume most were sold on pre-sales list).

 

Interview with Shiyo Takahashi, Leica Ginza Shop | japan exposures

 

Ps: It is nice to observe contributors continue to post well-sourced comments. Well most of them

[kivis]

...James, I fear I have to contradict your assertion that the Leica MP Titanium is essentially just a different paint finish.

 

My understanding is that, for the Leica M7 Titanium (2005), "the top plate and 30 other external fittings of this gorgeous anniversary model are milled from solid titanium, one of the hardest metals known". Source: Leica Bulletin 59 | 1/2005.

 

The Leica MP Titanium (2007) "is an incredibly attractive camera, all exterior metal parts and fittings were using Titanium metal which used the same manufacturing process for the LEICA M7 Titanium. According the the press release, there were 30 parts and fittings involved with using this light weight and incredibly strong, corrosive resistant metal to protect its internal components. Titanium parts which extends to use on the film speed index disc at the rear section. In comparison with the standard production unit, this MP Titan weighs approx. 90g lighter. The entire edition consists of only 150 units which has Serial Number controls from 001~150/150 engraved on the accessory shoe.". More details here.

 

Both M7 and MP Titanium limited edition camera bodies were similarly priced at launch. Hope this helps.

Love to see a photo of the "real" thing.