Leica M-E discontinued ?!

[UliWer]

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Lot's of assumptions and speculations.

 

As far as i can see the M-E is everywhere on sale in the shops. And customer's demand is obviously lower than for the other models - with the second-hand market full of M9s.

 

So why should Leica produce more and more to fill the shelves? If the present stock is sold and there are orders left, they'll produce a batch. If there is no future demand, why bother?

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[earleygallery]

If the M-E has been discontinued (and I really doubt it) what does it matter? If you want to buy one, go and get it now. If you have no interest in buying one then why should Leica make a camera that no one wants?

 

I've read numerous times that the film M's have been discontinued. Reports based on what someone had been told or heard but never anything official. They were always proved to be wrong.

[andyedward]

With the ME, leica made no attempt to address the M9's slow buffer, low res lcd, memory card issues, etc, so I wouldn't be surprised if it wasnt selling well enough to justify a long production life. Given that the m240 was announced at the same time, perhaps the ME was intended as a cheaper, stop gap alternative to the M9 until m240 production was up to speed

[myshkine]

It is also a matter of commercial strategy, how many current products does Leica have on the shelves? MM, ME, M, not counting the X and S lines. It is clear that the market nowadays is not what it was thirty or even twenty years ago, you have to play on more fronts, but still - for a small company - it is a lot of products. So it would make sense. But the "batch theory" of Luigi also makes sense, as Leica has always done that in the past.

[bybrett]

If the M-E has been discontinued (and I really doubt it) what does it matter? If you want to buy one, go and get it now. If you have no interest in buying one then why should Leica make a camera that no one wants?

 

I've read numerous times that the film M's have been discontinued. Reports based on what someone had been told or heard but never anything official. They were always proved to be wrong.

 

The decision to discontinue was made last November. It was only ever a stop gap batch to give the dealers something to sell after discounted M9-P's. The UK is virtually out of M-E's. The last one's were sold with a free pair of binoculars or £300 off a new lens.

[Guest malland]

The decision to discontinue was made last November...

You're stating this as a fact, but if it is you should provide the source for your information, otherwise it's not necessarily credible.

 

—Mitch/Potomac, MD

Paris au rythme de Basquiat and Other Poems [download link for book project]

[Jeff S]

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We've discussed in another thread whether Leica might ever produce a pared down M(240), without things like live view or video, i.e., more similar to the M-E, but with weather sealing, quieter shutter, better processor and battery, etc. Once the new M gains traction (or not), and if the M-E goes away, perhaps we'll find out. I wouldn't bet on it, but bets were also strongly against the MM concept for years.

 

Jeff

[bybrett]

You're stating this as a fact, but if it is you should provide the source for your information, otherwise it's not necessarily credible.

 

I agree it is incredible. But it wouldn't be any more credible if I named my source(s).

[earleygallery]

The decision to discontinue was made last November. It was only ever a stop gap batch to give the dealers something to sell after discounted M9-P's. The UK is virtually out of M-E's. The last one's were sold with a free pair of binoculars or £300 off a new lens.

 

A quick Google shows Leica dealers with the ME listed as in stock, and no mention of free bins or discounts ???

 

Can you quote some sources for your info? Some links to dealers offering the deals you state?

[algrove]

The only "fact" I can point to is that ME used prices are down. As another mentioned, some dealers were offering ME's to those ordering the M with a fixed trade back value against their M delivery.

 

However, I just find it hard to believe, given how few M's are out there, there were that many takers on the ME offer and who have now taken delivery of their new M, to already drop the ME used price. It is something else, like the introduction of a new M-240, perhaps. Many recent M buyers have waited until they are satisfied with their new M before selling their M9 not their ME from what I have discussed with new M owners, read here and other places.

[mjh]

We've discussed in another thread whether Leica might ever produce a pared down M(240), without things like live view or video

Live view and video is something the M can do by virtue of its other features, so disabling these options would do nothing to cut costs.

[bybrett]

A quick Google shows Leica dealers with the ME listed as in stock, and no mention of free bins or discounts ???

 

Can you quote some sources for your info? Some links to dealers offering the deals you state?

 

Stephens Premier - M-E plus 50mm Summarit £4500 - out of stock last week

Red Dot Cameras - M-E plus £300 off a new lens - deal now finished

Richard Caplan - M-E plus lens plus free 8x20 binos - deal now finished

Leica Mayfair - M-E - out of stock last week

[zlatkob]

What things *are* and what they are held as being around here have never quite tallied in my experience!

 

I read so often that CCD is where it's at, the one true medium for the distinctive Leica look. Nothing else was as good. Based on what people said they wanted, the M-E should have been a hot seller. But it seems that what people really wanted is updates and refinements, which is perfectly rational.

[kivis]

Just picked up an M9 with 2400 activations for $3400.

[andyedward]

Live view and video is something the M can do by virtue of its other features, so disabling these options would do nothing to cut costs.

 

For some people, having a "back-to-basics" M is more of a concern than cutting retail cost: they would be prepared to pay the same money for a CMOS M that does NOT have the m240's bells and whistles

[macjonny1]

I'd sure rather buy a used M9 that someone is selling for $4k with 1-2k actuations hardly used. There's plenty out there being sold by folks that have to have the latest.

[earleygallery]

Stephens Premier - M-E plus 50mm Summarit £4500 - out of stock last week

Red Dot Cameras - M-E plus £300 off a new lens - deal now finished

Richard Caplan - M-E plus lens plus free 8x20 binos - deal now finished

Leica Mayfair - M-E - out of stock last week

 

Stephens main page lists the ME as currently in stock. No mention of any special offers though.

 

Stephens Photo Centre

 

They also list one ex demo ME with Summarit for £4500

 

LEICA M-E CAMERA and SUMMARIT M 50mm f2.5 LENS

 

Red Dot list the ME as in stock, no free binoculars or lens offers...http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=16_23&products_id=5327

 

Same at Richard Caplan Home - Leica - M System - Leica M Bodies - NEW! LEICA M-E BODY

 

And Leica Mayfair list it as available now Leica Cameras - Leica Store Mayfair London

 

Odd that you say the last ones were sold off with free binoculars or money off lenses, yet all the sources you quote still list the camera as in stock and none are offering any special deals (not publicly at least).

[teids]

After two years of saving and waiting I just made a deposit for the M-E and a 50 Summilux. I will go and pick up the package on Monday

Lots of training ahead of me!

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[andyedward]

After two years of saving and waiting I just made a deposit for the M-E and a 50 Summilux. I will go and pick up the package on Monday

Lots of training ahead of me!

 

ENJOY!!!!!!!

[bybrett]

Stephens main page lists the ME as currently in stock. No mention of any special offers though.

 

Stephens Photo Centre

 

They also list one ex demo ME with Summarit for £4500

 

LEICA M-E CAMERA and SUMMARIT M 50mm f2.5 LENS

 

Red Dot list the ME as in stock, no free binoculars or lens offers...http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=16_23&products_id=5327

 

Same at Richard Caplan Home - Leica - M System - Leica M Bodies - NEW! LEICA M-E BODY

 

And Leica Mayfair list it as available now Leica Cameras - Leica Store Mayfair London

 

Odd that you say the last ones were sold off with free binoculars or money off lenses, yet all the sources you quote still list the camera as in stock and none are offering any special deals (not publicly at least).

 

James I tried to buy a new M-E for a friend last week on a budget. My sources (and I named them so they must be credible) are not googled.

 

David Stephens told me he has no M-E's in stock.

Red Dot told me that the £300 offer has now ended.

Richard Caplan was giving away free 8x20's offer now ended.

Leica Mayfair out of stock but 10% off a demo Press review camera.

Robert White has a demo about 10% off too.

 

When the cameras are out of stock not all dealers update the website. Mayfair offered to source an M-E but my friend bought an M9 instead. Maybe next week they will have some in from other countries which were unsold.