Paulus Posted November 20, 2015 Share #1 Posted November 20, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) The coming of the M 262 I find very exciting. The same patrons everywhere, like in 2012/2013. The next logical step for Leica would be a new a new M ( not the 262 ) which will probably will arive next year, if Leica stays walking in the same patrons. One thing puzzels me, or maybe I am not well enough informed. One can order a Leica a la carte made of a MP/M7 M-P 240/M240 with an M-P buffer, in chrome in black, with different Leathers and different writing, but making a real " a la carte " like a mixture between the MP and the M7 is not realy possible. A real configurator like the MP/M7 configurator does not exist ( or does it somewhere? ) Before the new M is coming, Leica will sell hopefully a lot of these a la carts. But why not the M262 a la carte. Is this the way they alway do? " Do not make an a la carte of the last M. " I love to have a M 262 with a chrome top. I wonder when this will happen. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 20, 2015 Posted November 20, 2015 Hi Paulus, Take a look here Leica a la carte. The end of a new beginning. Always with an " old " camera.. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Bill Livingston Posted November 20, 2015 Share #2 Posted November 20, 2015 Apparently the new 'a la carte' is available from the end of November. I would imagine the new 'configurator' (dreadful word...) will be on line then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted November 20, 2015 I don't think so, the original configurator of the MP/M7 a la carte was already working the moment the add hit the website. I think it was around the year 2004 already. I really cwonder if there is so much to " a la carte " on these camera's this time. At least no more than Leica would do if you sent them a request and payed top money for it. A simple name adding for instance on the camera for a few hundred Euros. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kilmister Posted November 20, 2015 Share #4 Posted November 20, 2015 Any lover of the M series who has enough spare cash can configure their own "made to order" camera. The concept might seem obscene to some people. To some it is petty cash. No point being jealous. I'm not. I live in a beautiful and safe part of the world. I have my health, good food, and clean water. And I have a Leica M. What more can one ask? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flu Posted November 20, 2015 Share #5 Posted November 20, 2015 oh man.... Now they finally come out with this option to configure!!! I was looking for this months back when I was looking for a backup M-P. Now I already have 2 and it doesn't make sense to have 3 of the same camera no matter how good it will look... Oh well, some things are best left for dreams I guess! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECohen Posted November 21, 2015 Share #6 Posted November 21, 2015 Any lover of the M series who has enough spare cash can configure their own "made to order" camera. The concept might seem obscene to some people. To some it is petty cash. No point being jealous. I'm not. I live in a beautiful and safe part of the world. I have my health, good food, and clean water. And I have a Leica M. What more can one ask? I'd like to own couple more lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 21, 2015 Share #7 Posted November 21, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Actually, yes. The customizing of a recent camera is always a bit of a hassle and Leica can make quite a problem of it. I remember modifying my Monochrom - only after signing an NDA and promising not to show it (?? rather odd, how can one use a camera without showing it?) to prevent boosting the number of requests - the restriction was lifted after a year. I think it is not being difficult for difficulty's sake. It has more to do with not cluttering up the production process of a camera that is in short supply. Not unreasonable really. Is this the way they alway do? " Do not make an a la carte of the last M. " Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted November 21, 2015 Share #8 Posted November 21, 2015 Actually, yes. The customizing of a recent camera is always a bit of a hassle and Leica can make quite a problem of it. I remember modifying my Monochrom - only after signing an NDA and promising not to show it (?? rather odd, how can one use a camera without showing it?) to prevent boosting the number of requests - the restriction was lifted after a year. I think it is not being difficult for difficulty's sake. It has more to do with cluttering up the production process of a camera that is in short supply. Not unreasonable really. I was made to sign an NDA for my Monochrom as well. I didn't really mind, as it made no difference to me - posting an image of it at the time was no particular hardship. What did tick me off was the head of Leica Asia at the time trying to reneg on the deal. Not something I will forgive him for, unless he actually apologises. I suspect he's short. I had asked if I could have a silver chrome Monochrom when it was released (the M9 upgrade was still available, so the parts were there). Leica said yes, I got a price, I confirmed the order, paid the deposit (over the dealer's protests) and everything was hunky dory. The delivery time passed and I heard nothing. A few weeks later, my dealer asked the local importer what was happening, and at that stage I learned that this gentleman had unilaterally canceled my order. There followed a few exchanges of email, in which I pointed out the basics of the law of contract, and he begrudgingly relented, with an NDA. I was tempted to refuse, but what did I care. So, I'm not sure I can agree with the "not unreasonable" comment, Jaap. The way this asshole behaved was rude, arrogant and unlawful and I would be very happy if he has moved on. Prick is another word that springs to mind. Certainly not consistent with the image that Leica portrays, or any of my dealings with Solms or Wetzlar (or more recently, Leica Australia). I've often wondered if this is why we hear some strange stories about the practises in SE Asia Leica Stores. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morry Posted November 21, 2015 Share #9 Posted November 21, 2015 So what is the reason they are not offering this for M246 ? Too new, or may be too small market ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted November 21, 2015 Share #10 Posted November 21, 2015 What more can one ask? For everyone else to be in the same situation . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua Lowe Posted November 21, 2015 Share #11 Posted November 21, 2015 I'd definitely consider an a la carte MP or M-A. Not sure if I'd invest like that in a digital, because I don't seem to ever keep them for more than a few years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumolux Posted November 21, 2015 Share #12 Posted November 21, 2015 What I find most interesting about the M240 a la carte situation is that it shows that the M240 has become an important 'entity' in the model lineup. In other words: it only makes sense to offer a la carte on bodies that will not change very much from what it presently is (like MP, M7, etc.) If the 240's body, screen, etc. were to change radically on a regular basis, it would become hell to stock all the different parts in different sizes and defeat the income gained by customization for customers. The a la carte program delivers good money to Leica, exactly because the changes allowed are not radical (exchange a top plate, a covering, add an engraving, etc.) So my guess is that the M240 body is not going to change physically in the next iteration..... As to what will be inside it, only the admins and Leica know.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 21, 2015 Share #13 Posted November 21, 2015 I was made to sign an NDA for my Monochrom as well. I didn't really mind, as it made no difference to me - posting an image of it at the time was no particular hardship. What did tick me off was the head of Leica Asia at the time trying to reneg on the deal. Not something I will forgive him for, unless he actually apologises. I suspect he's short. I had asked if I could have a silver chrome Monochrom when it was released (the M9 upgrade was still available, so the parts were there). Leica said yes, I got a price, I confirmed the order, paid the deposit (over the dealer's protests) and everything was hunky dory. The delivery time passed and I heard nothing. A few weeks later, my dealer asked the local importer what was happening, and at that stage I learned that this gentleman had unilaterally canceled my order. There followed a few exchanges of email, in which I pointed out the basics of the law of contract, and he begrudgingly relented, with an NDA. I was tempted to refuse, but what did I care. So, I'm not sure I can agree with the "not unreasonable" comment, Jaap. The way this asshole behaved was rude, arrogant and unlawful and I would be very happy if he has moved on. Prick is another word that springs to mind. Certainly not consistent with the image that Leica portrays, or any of my dealings with Solms or Wetzlar (or more recently, Leica Australia). I've often wondered if this is why we hear some strange stories about the practises in SE Asia Leica Stores. I would probably have reacted more strongly than you did, not even dealing with the person himself, but any larger company has one or two mini-idiots. No fair to blame the whole. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share #14 Posted November 21, 2015 I'd definitely consider an a la carte MP or M-A. Not sure if I'd invest like that in a digital, because I don't seem to ever keep them for more than a few years. I had a MP a la carte once, but traded it when the M240 came out. Together with the M9 I payed € 855,- for the new M240 sounded like a fair deal at the time. I bought a second hand MP. A " real " one from 2002. I must say I enjoy it more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted November 21, 2015 For everyone else to be in the same situation . Does anyone know Dan Price, Top man of Gravity Payments. He traded his USD 1000.000 a year salary for a USD 70.000,- salary and giving al his employers a USD 70.000 salary also the ones who earned USD 35.000 before the salarychange. Source : " de Groene Amsterdammer april 23 - 2015 Xandra Schutte " I don't want to bring politics in this forum, because ist forbidden I believe, but worth mentioning in this context. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulus Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share #16 Posted November 21, 2015 Any lover of the M series who has enough spare cash can configure their own "made to order" camera. The concept might seem obscene to some people. To some it is petty cash. No point being jealous. I'm not. I live in a beautiful and safe part of the world. I have my health, good food, and clean water. And I have a Leica M. What more can one ask? I also started this discussion, though being very exited about the "new" M , showing us another can follow, which will be so new, that Leica puts it's old one in a la carte mode. At the same time I was still saving money for an M Monochrome and still trying to get over the SL blow. The next blow that came was the M262 and to finish it of the a la carte. I know that it is Christmas in a few months, but I'm thinking about your written statement with mixed feelings especially the "clean water" part touches me... The M Monochrom ( and the other camera's ) will perhaps never be bought, or maybe second hand years later, because I still lack the funds. You are right, to some "petty cash" , for others..... Still, it's great that all these camera's will get second hand in a period of five years bringing them colser to some. Still it's a lot of money. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdk Posted November 21, 2015 Share #17 Posted November 21, 2015 I'm disappointed Leica has never offered 0.58X finders for the Leica M9 or M240 series. This is so comfortable for 28mm and 35mm use on my à la carte M7, but I never use that camera anymore (I should probably do a B&W film project with it someday). Looks like a 0.58X finder is still not an option on the configurator for digital à la carte. Too bad. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwardkaraa Posted November 21, 2015 Share #18 Posted November 21, 2015 I was made to sign an NDA for my Monochrom as well. I didn't really mind, as it made no difference to me - posting an image of it at the time was no particular hardship. What did tick me off was the head of Leica Asia at the time trying to reneg on the deal. Not something I will forgive him for, unless he actually apologises. I suspect he's short. I had asked if I could have a silver chrome Monochrom when it was released (the M9 upgrade was still available, so the parts were there). Leica said yes, I got a price, I confirmed the order, paid the deposit (over the dealer's protests) and everything was hunky dory. The delivery time passed and I heard nothing. A few weeks later, my dealer asked the local importer what was happening, and at that stage I learned that this gentleman had unilaterally canceled my order. There followed a few exchanges of email, in which I pointed out the basics of the law of contract, and he begrudgingly relented, with an NDA. I was tempted to refuse, but what did I care. So, I'm not sure I can agree with the "not unreasonable" comment, Jaap. The way this asshole behaved was rude, arrogant and unlawful and I would be very happy if he has moved on. Prick is another word that springs to mind. Certainly not consistent with the image that Leica portrays, or any of my dealings with Solms or Wetzlar (or more recently, Leica Australia). I've often wondered if this is why we hear some strange stories about the practises in SE Asia Leica Stores. Indeed this is an issue that should be raised to Leica by someone. In this particular case, they have chosen their partner very poorly. I have nothing good to say about Leica Singapore or any if its affiliates, probably a lot of bad things that I keep on hearing from so many people or a couple of incidents that happened to me personally, which made me decide to send my camera to Wetzlar on my own expense next time I have a problem rather than go through the ordeals again. From my correspondence with customer service, I deducted that they are aware of the problem but are either unwilling or incapable of doing anything about it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted November 21, 2015 Share #19 Posted November 21, 2015 I would probably have reacted more strongly than you did, not even dealing with the person himself, but any larger company has one or two mini-idiots. No fair to blame the whole. Sort of. I don't actually blame the company as a whole. As I said, Solms & Wetzlar have been extremely good, as has Leica Australia; and as Al points out, they continue to get my money. But then, the company does tend to be judged by and live and die on the behaviour of its representatives. Perhaps he just had a bad day (though I suspect this is typical behaviour). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted November 21, 2015 Share #20 Posted November 21, 2015 In my opinion the digital M has been perfected. Maybe some better ISO some might welcome, but I shot Ektar 25 and Kadachrome 25 when I could get it. I also used 4x5 format so slower shooting is no issue. What has bothered me the crop M8 and the non waterproof sensor cover on my M9 which I keep in climate controlled conditions. Certainly they agree to repair free, but I have been through that routine before. Not pleasant. At some point I will pop for a 262 assuming no bad reports in first 6 months. I care less about custom made cameras unless it can do something I need, not cosmetic. I want a simple basic ergonomic machine that takes still photos. The better the construction, the more simple the controls, the smaller the size and less the weight, the better I like it. READ 262 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.