hyper67 Posted August 8, 2006 Share #1 Posted August 8, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) My dealer called me yeterday to ask me what color I wanted my M8 as per a letter he recieved from the factory, black - or silver. The letter read that specific delivery dates will be known in a letter that will be circulated on the 10th of August. It also said that everything will be very hush hush until the 15 of Sept. cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 8, 2006 Posted August 8, 2006 Hi hyper67, Take a look here M8 official orders. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
martinb Posted August 8, 2006 Share #2 Posted August 8, 2006 Good to hear! Did he say anything about the price? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 8, 2006 Share #3 Posted August 8, 2006 Just spoke to my dealer, I'm no 2 on a list of 7, Leica here in the UK are not even accepting formal orders yet.... No info on price, interesting that chrome seems to be available after all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper67 Posted August 8, 2006 Author Share #4 Posted August 8, 2006 The approx price that I have is 3400 Euros. This is slightly higher than what I paid for it when he was taken orders and he told me he would honor our initial arrangemet.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 8, 2006 Share #5 Posted August 8, 2006 Including tax? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyper67 Posted August 8, 2006 Author Share #6 Posted August 8, 2006 not sure but I think Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 8, 2006 Share #7 Posted August 8, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) That's a considerable margin for error! €3400 but could be €3944 (in Germany)... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r_smith Posted August 8, 2006 Share #8 Posted August 8, 2006 This week's "Amateur Photographer", page 7 - A full-page advert from Leica, white text on black backgound - "Emotion returns to the act of photography. The wait is almost over." Leica are hotting up the unbearable anticipation, I think John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted August 8, 2006 Share #9 Posted August 8, 2006 I never really imagined that I would potentially be in the market for the digital M, but since my lab just lost the last two rolls of film I dropped off, maybe this digital stuff is a viable option. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted August 8, 2006 Share #10 Posted August 8, 2006 A full page ad?? That's the year's advertising budget blown :-) Seriously if it comes in at the proposed price I want one! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r_smith Posted August 8, 2006 Share #11 Posted August 8, 2006 I think Leica are very serious about the launch of the M8. Normally, they never advertise, they don't need to. This looks like a full-blown pro marketing strategy in full swing, with the long wait and complete silence as to detail of the digital M being part of a structured plan to maximise sales in September. My guesses are - * Leica had Epson RD-1s in pieces all over their R&D bench almost as soon as they came out. * They used the DMR and Digilux 2 as test beds for various chunks of technology which resurface in refined form in the M8. * The M8 has been a physical reality since at least January of 2006, and under rigorous field test by selected photojournalists since then. * Almost all the components of the M8 will have been outsourced to cut costs, with only final assembly and test being carried out at Solms, just as Hasselblad have done with the V series cameras.. * As a consequence the price will be much lower than anyone expected, leading to very strong initial sales and a quick return for R&D. * Leica will offer a very competitive package of camera and 35mm lens complete to attract new buyers with no existing M lenses. Obviously these are just (inspired?) guesses, but we shall see . . . . John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkflor@iol.ie Posted August 8, 2006 Share #12 Posted August 8, 2006 John wrote in part: * As a consequence the price will be much lower than anyone expected, leading to very strong initial sales and a quick return for R&D. * Leica will offer a very competitive package of camera and 35mm lens complete to attract new buyers with no existing M lenses. Obviously these are just (inspired?) guesses, but we shall see . . . . John One of the highlights ot my forthcoming trip to the Leica Historical Society of America annual meet in Wetzlar in late September/early October will be handling/using the M8 at the Leicaschule. Can't wait to try out some of my old Leitz lenses on the body! Sadly, as I've just invested in a Nikon D200 (outstanding, BTW), I don't think my bank manager would be very sympathetic to the idea of an M8 body - even at 'bargain' prices.... Best Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 8, 2006 Share #13 Posted August 8, 2006 I think you're spot on, especially with regard to the outsourcing of parts production. Visit Porsche and aside from them building bodyshells from panels pressed by BMW and painting them, everything else is assembled from bought in components made by companies lower down the food-chain. Leica have traditionally used their Portugese factory to make camera components but it seems to me there is less interest now in using Portugal as a low-cost manufacturing base, especially now that Portugal is not as cheap as it was. Instead, a renewed emphasis on "Made in Germany" with all that stands for. Seems better to employ specialist fabricators with CNC machine tools to produce and finish the parts at relatively low cost. I was quite surprised, for example, to find that the "accessory carrier" of a 21mm Elmarit - the piece the filter screws into - costs only €39 as a finished spare part - so with modern production techniques they can get the cost down. Some time ago, on the old forum, someone posted a link to a specialist company who make the top cover of the M and proudly display it on their web-site. I wonder if they are still involved, can't find the link any more. If the camera does come out at lower than expected cost, that has to be good news for Leica because it will ensure high demand to get the product established. Agree also about the camera being bundled with a 35mm lens, maybe a resurrected pre-ASPH Summicron? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterb Posted August 8, 2006 Share #14 Posted August 8, 2006 Dealers are taking orders but are their any images of what the M8 even looks like? If there is a website I'd love to have a peek. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 8, 2006 Share #15 Posted August 8, 2006 This is an extract from a PM I received from someone very much "in the know": "I can assure you that the M8 is a worthy successor to M7, MP etc - but still, no pictures for the public!" Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_mcdermott Posted August 8, 2006 Share #16 Posted August 8, 2006 I don't about anybody else, but all this waiting and rumours is driving me insane. I feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to open presents. Leica is more tight lipped than Apple regarding future products. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_f Posted August 8, 2006 Share #17 Posted August 8, 2006 Mark, You are correct about the oursourcing. The picture below is from a web site of a company which obviously has been doing outsourced work for Leica Camera (Leica M7 top plate, Leica M baseplate and back cover, Leica MP film advance lever, etc..). Unfortunately, I can't find the original URL - am going through my lists of "favorites"... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/2932-m8-official-orders/?do=findComment&comment=26918'>More sharing options...
mat_mcdermott Posted August 8, 2006 Share #18 Posted August 8, 2006 Looks like an à la carte order to me...isn't that an MP-style crank? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_f Posted August 8, 2006 Share #19 Posted August 8, 2006 Matthew, Yes, you're right. It could very well be an "à la carte" M7 with MP-style film advance lever. But what about the round part on the right? It looks to me like the film speed dial on the camera's back. What do you think? BTW, I wonder if they also got the contract for the shutter speed dial and the film rewind crank (M7 and MP style) ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted August 8, 2006 Share #20 Posted August 8, 2006 Looks like it's the ISO dial to fit in the back flap... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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