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Monochrom production


IWC Doppel

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Anyone know or have a good idea how long the CCD monochrome will be inproduction for and any idea of production volume ?

 

The only reason I ask, is I do want one, but have been waiting for the 24MP variant to be announced and pick on up second hand. I am wondering whether to buy one secondhand now as they can be picked up for sub £5k now ?

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One can always wait for the next model of anything. Meanwhile life goes on, one gets older, and one's photographic opportunities are missed.

 

I have recently received my M240. It is a fantastic camera but I still prefer the files from my Monochrom.

 

If I read your post correctly you are waiting for a rumoured Monochrom 240 to be possibly announced, possibly released in a reasonable timeframe (big ask), and possibly available second hand for you to be the successful purchaser in a reasonable timeframe in a highly competitive second hand market.

 

Good luck!

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Leica did state the the upgrade period of the Monochrom series would be significantly longer than the colour M series. I would not expect ( but have no further information whatever) a new Monochrom within three to four years, possibly in connection with the next model in the M line. Not a monochrome M(typ240). But then, this is crystal ball gazing. Imo the situation you are waiting for is not likely to occur within four years, assuming that Monochrom users are willing to switch to CMos - doubtful...

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Leica did state the the upgrade period of the Monochrom series would be significantly longer than the colour M series. I would not expect ( but have no further information whatever) a new Monochrom within three to four years, possibly in connection with the next model in the M line. Not a monochrome M(typ240). But then, this is crystal ball gazing. Imo the situation you are waiting for is not likely to occur within four years, assuming that Monochrom users are willing to switch to CMos - doubtful...

 

Indeed, I really do not want anything more than this CCD Monochrome, for years to come. I found my way with the 320 ISO, which seemed too fast for me. What would a CMOS sensor give as the slowest ISO: 400? Not for me.

Really don't see why 24Mb would give that much more that would justify the price. Since film with the M turns out to be a gadget thus far, this isn't an argument either. I would opt for an X Vario2 with F2.0 or F1.4-F2.8 to replace my M9, to save weight, but even that .... don't know; the color rendering of some M lenses is too nice to say goodbye to.

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Thanks for your thoughts guys

 

I'm an odd fish, I have no problem buying a lens, bit of Hifi, watch or something else if its not going to lose value. But feel I need a written justification if I buy something I don't need but want and it will depreciate !

 

I'm not married and have a partner who has no issue with me spending all or none of my money on what I fancy either....

 

I guess seeing a monochrom version 1 in 5 years time below £2.5k is unlikely given the prices of M8's

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Indeed, I really do not want anything more than this CCD Monochrome, for years to come. I found my way with the 320 ISO, which seemed too fast for me. What would a CMOS sensor give as the slowest ISO: 400? Not for me.

Really don't see why 24Mb would give that much more that would justify the price. Since film with the M turns out to be a gadget thus far, this isn't an argument either.

 

Apart from all you mention, IMO the benefits of an M-based (240 or successor) Monochrom would relate more to the build and usability aspects of the camera, not necessarily any anticipated improvements in file quality. These include better RF mechanism and focusing, illuminated and 2m based frame lines, quieter and smoother shutter release (finally), longer battery life, improved Maestro processor and weather sealing. Plus LV, even if never used for pics, is very useful to assess camera/lens mis-calibrations.

 

These aspects may not yield better pics, but the user experience (for traditional RF photography) is improved, as my transition from the M8.2 has demonstrated.

 

Jeff

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Actually, given the cult status the camera already enjoys and the relatively small numbers built, I would not be surprised if this were the first digital camera to increase in price on the used market after the end of production.

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Actually, given the cult status the camera already enjoys and the relatively small numbers built, I would not be surprised if this were the first digital camera to increase in price on the used market after the end of production.

 

 

So far it sells for 5200-5500 EUROS on the SH market, which is quite a bit of depreciation, I would say...

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You never know if a CMOS based monochrom would work as well as a CCD one. Besides it seems to me that many Monochrom buyers aren't that interested in a camera that has all the bells and whistles that the M240 has. I mean it's a camera that seems to do one thing really well but doesn't care about doing anything else. I mean it's the back to basic Leica.

 

Besides I think many owners don't see any reason to upgrade their monochrom even if a CMOS version would appear. So Leica has to ask themselves: how many rich black and white lunatics are there in this world anyway? And haven't they saturated that market already?

So I would think the next monochrom will probably skip the M240.

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I am fully aware of Leica's ability to produce highly desirable cameras and of my own level of GAS.. But as the owner of both an MM and an M I can only say that it would need an exceedingly compelling camera to make me trade in my Monochrome. A B&W version of the M would certainly not do the trick.

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Besides it seems to me that many Monochrom buyers aren't that interested in a camera that has all the bells and whistles that the M240 has. I mean it's a camera that seems to do one thing really well but doesn't care about doing anything else. I mean it's the back to basic Leica.

 

I don't know that you can state that. I have had an M9 and Monochrom. My M arrived a week ago. I'm not sure the M9 will get much if any use from me now that I have the M (just for the shutter and RF if nothing else :D). The 'bells and whistles, as you call them are very useful and enhance the camera's versatility when they are needed but otherwise have no effect on the camera's use as a standard M-camera rangefinder.

 

However, the M9 stays at my wife's suggestion - my son is doing photography for art at high school and will use the M9 with 28,50, and 85mm lenses - life's tough isn't it!

 

However, if I could only keep one of my cameras it would still be the Monochrom!

 

To be heretical if there was a colour digital Leica that produced files as spectacular as the Monochrom - well that would be really interesting!

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Besides I think many owners don't see any reason to upgrade their monochrom even if a CMOS version would appear. So Leica has to ask themselves: how many rich black and white lunatics are there in this world anyway? And haven't they saturated that market already?

So I would think the next monochrom will probably skip the M240.

 

This has been covered before, but here's what Stefan Daniel said at last October's Photokina...

 

Question: Will the M-Monochrom remain part of the M-System for the foreseeable future?

 

Stefan Daniel: We want to keep the series of that type. The Monochrom is very successful and we can imagine that there might be a Monochrom variant of the new model. The camera is addictive.

Maybe not an M240 variant, but perhaps based on a later iteration; Daniel's quote makes it seem likely, although Leica has been known to change course. As for reasons people might be interested in an M variant of the Monochrom, besides b/w file quality, I suggest some in post #12 above. The M is the most well constructed digital M to date IMO, forgetting about bells and whistles...or pixels.

 

Jeff

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