Guest Duane Pandorf Posted March 26, 2013 Share #101 Posted March 26, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) As a M-E owner and new to Leicas I would have thought that this possible news would cause me angst yet the camera still does exactly what I bought it to do. Take photos in as simple manner as possible. Dedicated shutter dial with almost instant access. No fiddling with any menus. Dedicated aperture control physically located on the lens. Precise focus control physically located on the lens and true builtin rangefinder focusing system. Dedicated ISO button combined with selector for very quick adjustment. Dedicated RAW file support with the digital photography software leader Adobe. (Can you say Fuji had RAW support out of the box or I guess the Jpgs are "good enough") All contained in a body built like a tank and supported by a company that's been around the block a couple times. Tell me what else I need? Or do I need to hurry out today and grab a few more pics before it quits working since there's a claim that its no longer made? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 26, 2013 Posted March 26, 2013 Hi Guest Duane Pandorf, Take a look here Leica M-E discontinued ?!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dave.gt Posted March 26, 2013 Share #102 Posted March 26, 2013 Duane, I will be up your way from Atlanta to have a look-see at your new M-E! Not sure when yet but we will be there. In the meantime, you either bought a fantastic camera at a great price or you bought a future classic. Maybe you should buy another one or two and put them in a safe for future collectors. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Duane Pandorf Posted March 26, 2013 Share #103 Posted March 26, 2013 Duane, I will be up your way from Atlanta to have a look-see at your new M-E! Not sure when yet but we will be there. In the meantime, you either bought a fantastic camera at a great price or you bought a future classic. Maybe you should buy another one or two and put them in a safe for future collectors. I'm definitely not the collector type. I'd be the one who was thinking he bought a collectable and let it sit on a shelf in its box for years to find out it became worthless and never used it to take pictures. I'm already going to deface the camera by putting a black Leica logo in place of the red one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohannB Posted March 26, 2013 Share #104 Posted March 26, 2013 My M-E is 4 months old and if I have to make the choice again today, I'll take the M-E again. It does what I need it to do and life is complicated enough without adding more complexities in my camera. Just read the latest LFI with an article on the new M and it should be great for somebody trying to figure out what metering mode to choose for what photo etc. etc. If you are just going to use it in manual mode get a M-E. With the M-E its just shutter speed, apperture and ISO. But thats just me. Johann Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucisPictor Posted March 26, 2013 Share #105 Posted March 26, 2013 Just buy 10 pcs and put them in the fridge:D: John :D Yeah, right. But buying some and storing them at 50% might be a good idea. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted March 26, 2013 Share #106 Posted March 26, 2013 If they standardized on the red dot free matt chrome for the MM and M-E ; that might increase sales of the M-E. However, besides lackluster sales, is the real motivation that the M.240 has a lower factory cost than the M-E ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D&A Posted March 26, 2013 Share #107 Posted March 26, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) If they standardized on the red dot free matt chrome for the MM and M-E ; that might increase sales of the M-E. However, besides lackluster sales, is the real motivation that the M.240 has a lower factory cost than the M-E ? Like others, when I first saw pics of the M-E, I was not thrilled, but in person,the camera does have a lovely understanded look and apparently it grows on many who see it in the flesh. Although I don't think hugh numbers of M-E's were manufactured, if in some locations they are slow sellers, it appears obvious that one of the reasons was that it was sort of a re-introduction of "last years model" almost along side this years model which was completely revamped and new and improved. (to use an automobile analogy). Even though this "old" model is at a lower price point, a new model is going to get all the attention, even with those who would satisfied with the old (M-E) or have just enough funds for a M-E. Fear of accelerated depreciation also factors in. It's somewhat hard to sell what some might see as old technology, unless the cost difference is tremendous compared to not only the new ("M") but that this old model (in terms of basically being an M9) sells for significantly less (at clearance prices) than it's predecessor. In other words, the M-E might have had to be initially offered at something like $4,000, give or take. It's not that removing the frame selector lever and USB connector saves a $1500, $1000 or even $500 in production costs, it's simply the perception on the part of the consumer. and relates more to marketing. Then of course one has the fairly substantial # of M9's entering the marketplace at the same time too. What I do think is there are some who feel after looking at the Specs of the new M and also images posted, may be re-evaluating their decision to purchase the "M" and either hold onto their M9 or possibly in a small # of cases pick up another or the M-E. Personally I feel the M-E would have been a great entryway for those thinking about entering Leica RF for the 1st time but want an entryway camera at an entryway price but additionally feel they are getting what was once was the flagship rangefinder digital camera of the company (the M9). If the price of the M-E was attractive and relatively low enough, I think it would have had greater sales #'s from those who want to enter the Lecia RF system and Leica would definitely have had a new legion of future potential sales from these individuals with many upgrading to the new M eventually. They also would of course increase sales of Leica lenses and accessories. One last thought. It may be that Leica knows there are limited resources for continued production of the M-E...most notably it's CCD sensor, so that pushing sales with a lower price would simply cut into profits, knowing there is only going to be a limited # of these M-E cameras produced. Whatever the case, both lovely and stunning images can be made with all these bodies as well as the previous M8/M8.2. The photographers imagery, imagination and post processing skills play an equal if not greater role in the final output...but of course that's not the main topic of this thread. Dave (D&A) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygraphy Posted March 27, 2013 Share #108 Posted March 27, 2013 i have friends who are picking up the M-E as their first rangefinder. i also had a conversation with the Leica shop that while the M-E does not register the same level of demand of the new M, there is a small sales trickle. luigi's comment makes most sense. given the demand of the new M, leica would want to focus manufacture on that while producing M-E on batches depending on available stock in market. while i am on the same level as many people willing to pick up second hand M9/M9-P, there is a crowd who are uncomfortable with used digital bodies with reduced warranties. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
63strat Posted March 27, 2013 Share #109 Posted March 27, 2013 This from an article on the M-E in the 2012 Sept/Oct LFI, make of it what you will: "In any case, one thing is for certain: the future of classic rangefinder photography is guaranteed, the M-E is by no means a special edition model with a the time-limited presence, but a lasting member of the M family's ranks, which has grown to considerable size." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard.no Posted March 27, 2013 Share #110 Posted March 27, 2013 This from an article on the M-E in the 2012 Sept/Oct LFI, make of it what you will: "In any case, one thing is for certain: the future of classic rangefinder photography is guaranteed, the M-E is by no means a special edition model with a the time-limited presence, but a lasting member of the M family's ranks, which has grown to considerable size." Mhm, we'll see. Do you remember the eternity-symbol being put on the M8(u)? No one believed it of course, but I wouldn't bet a nickle on a statement like that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 27, 2013 Share #111 Posted March 27, 2013 Which ultimately is a function of what Leica is willing to commit to, is it not? If Leica is committed to having batches of sensors available to support the M9 in a timely manner, they will be willing to pay Truesense what it takes to have them available. When that is too much for Leica to stomach, then the M9 will go the way of the M8.Do you really think there are no contracts about spare sensor production? Both the time span and the price? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 28, 2013 Share #112 Posted March 28, 2013 Do you really think there are no contracts about spare sensor production? Both the time span and the price? Jaap, I am sure there are but they are probably written in that strange language "Lawyerese", where black is white and up is down. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest borge Posted March 28, 2013 Share #113 Posted March 28, 2013 Seems like the Leica owner community is full of paranoia. Just enjoy the camera and make beautiful photographs and don't think about all the bad things that can happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T 1969 Posted March 28, 2013 Share #114 Posted March 28, 2013 Seems to me they have some pretty intense product differentiation and pricing differentiation that was very intentionally done between the M-E and the M. SOme sya it is a stop-gap camera but I disagree. There is a big marketing difference between the two with the M being positioned as the rangefinder for anyone who ever wanted a rangefinder and some of the benefits of a DSLR all-in-one and the M-E being the purist's rangefinder. I believe the "E" in the "M-E" is supposed to represent the word "essence". Essence of the "m" system is what I read somewhere, maybe in an ad. There is no better way to engage brand loyalists than offering the wide spectrum of what both cameras can offer and what they will come to symbolize. Paul McCartney talked once about people criticizing The Beatles "White Album" and basically said that yeah it might have not been their best record and maybe could have been a single album but it was the GD BEATLES!! I kind of feel that way with Leica. It is pretty much all good stuff. It all makes for technically exceptional images and feels great to use. And in the end it is all expensive. When your camera already costs $5500 spending an extra $3000 doesnt seem ludicrous to Leica peeps! I can't imagine why they would ditch their minimalist rangefinder model in favor of offering only one higher priced offering that does more than any other leica model has ever done (In terms of features and functiosn). Just doesn't seem "on brand". Without minimalism Leica just wont be Leica. Personally, I love my M-E. I owned an M6 previously and the M-E is my M6 with a sensor. Simple and totally Leica. ALl of the above is wishful thinking and opinion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tanks Posted March 28, 2013 Share #115 Posted March 28, 2013 ...I can't imagine why they would ditch their minimalist rangefinder model in favor of offering only one higher priced offering that does more than any other leica model has ever done (In terms of features and functiosn). Just doesn't seem "on brand". Without minimalism Leica just wont be Leica. ... I'd say they would ditch it because the M-E is based on obsolete technology. It already seems to be a low volume product, I would expect the sales to be even less once the M becomes available in quantity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T 1969 Posted March 28, 2013 Share #116 Posted March 28, 2013 Yeah could be. My point was more that the marketing rhetoric seemed to hail a "pure Leica" product and the M certainly doesn't have that claim. Anyway I guess the models come and go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 28, 2013 Share #117 Posted March 28, 2013 Leica Mayfair have the M-E in stock, but they didn't answer my question if it has been discontinued. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
darylgo Posted March 28, 2013 Share #118 Posted March 28, 2013 I'd say they would ditch it because the M-E is based on obsolete technology. It already seems to be a low volume product, I would expect the sales to be even less once the M becomes available in quantity. Darn good technology for an obsolete camera. The M9 group reached a plateau in quality that is not easy to dismiss, it will compete very well with the best offerings today, despite not being the pinnacle it once was, but overall it has held up well given it's old age approaching 4 years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Essemmlee Posted March 28, 2013 Share #119 Posted March 28, 2013 It does create concern going forward. The M8's gone, M9 and M9P gone, the Monochrom - no-one's sure whether it will continue to be supported. The ME may be discontinued. So there's the M (half rangefinder, half something else), and that may be it. I do worry about buying Leicas in the future; the discard level seems high. Why don't Leica lay out the roadmap for us so we know where we are going? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest borge Posted March 28, 2013 Share #120 Posted March 28, 2013 It does create concern going forward. The M8's gone, M9 and M9P gone, the Monochrom - no-one's sure whether it will continue to be supported. The ME may be discontinued. So there's the M (half rangefinder, half something else), and that may be it. I do worry about buying Leicas in the future; the discard level seems high. Why don't Leica lay out the roadmap for us so we know where we are going? Welcome to the digital age :-) Digital cameras are disposable cameras. They last 3-5 years, tops. But you don't have to buy and process film. So add it up like that. I'm pretty sure the roadmap is a lot like any other brands roadmap: 2013: New M240 Q1-Q2 2014: M9-P/Similar edition of the M240 Q4-2014 - Q2 2015: The rumor mill regarding the new Mxxx is starting to build up. Q3-Q4 2015: Announcement of a new Mxxx from Leica. Q2 2016: New Leica Mxxx shipping. In between there you will also see a few limited editions, designer editions, and maybe a Monochrome version of the M240 as well. And then... Rinse and repeat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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