setuporg Posted June 22, 2020 Share #1 Posted June 22, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) I understand that the Silver MM1 appeared about two years later than the original black one (May 2014 after September 2012). Since my original camera was a classic, silver rangefinder, I'm attached to that style. I got all the black monochroms by now and wonder how many folks here have, or like, the silver one. It was a unique white sheep of the family as no silver style appeared for M246 or M10M (yet). What do you guys think of the silver monochrom? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 Hi setuporg, Take a look here Silver Monochrom. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pippy Posted June 23, 2020 Share #2 Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) I absolutely love mine. I have mainly owned / own black-paint Leicas ('Barnacks', an M8.2, an M9, an M9-P and an M-D Typ-262) but always promised myself that when I bought an MM1 it would have to be the silver-chrome version. They are pretty thin on the ground so it took a while to get a good one but I'm happy I resisted the temptation to get a black body. Philip. Edited June 23, 2020 by pippy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted June 23, 2020 Share #3 Posted June 23, 2020 I got a silver Monochrom as a special edition when the Monochrom was released. I’ll never part with it. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 23, 2020 Share #4 Posted June 23, 2020 5 hours ago, IkarusJohn said: I got a silver Monochrom as a special edition when the Monochrom was released. I’ll never part with it. Ralph Gibson edition? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted June 23, 2020 Share #5 Posted June 23, 2020 1 minute ago, dkmoore said: Ralph Gibson edition? No, I ordered mine as an upgrade when the Monochrom was released in 2012. Leica had offered an M9-P silver chrome option for the original M9. I asked for my Monochrom to be upgraded. Leica did a handful of these cameras, then stopped. The production silver chrome M9 Monochrom came a year or so later and the Ralph Gibson edition was released in 2014 and sold out immediately (apparently). 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 23, 2020 Share #6 Posted June 23, 2020 38 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said: No, I ordered mine as an upgrade when the Monochrom was released in 2012. Leica had offered an M9-P silver chrome option for the original M9. I asked for my Monochrom to be upgraded. Leica did a handful of these cameras, then stopped. The production silver chrome M9 Monochrom came a year or so later and the Ralph Gibson edition was released in 2014 and sold out immediately (apparently). I had one of the standard silver M9Ms. I liked the Ralph Gibson model (which is why I asked) and I think we will see another one at some point soon. I've seen a couple of the RG kits for sales for $25k+ but they haven't sold in a very long time from the two dealers. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 23, 2020 Share #7 Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 17 minutes ago, dkmoore said: I had one of the standard silver M9Ms......I've seen a couple of the RG kits for sales for $25k+ but they haven't sold in a very long time from the two dealers. Even the regular silver-chrome M9M bodies seem to be slightly on the pricey side here in the UK these days. There's a well-respected dealership which has one in stock currently; the asking price being £3,600 ($4,510 and change). Philip. Edited June 23, 2020 by pippy 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
setuporg Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) What was special about the Ralph Gibson edition? The Lux looks like a standard silver 35mm FLE Lux, right? Edited June 23, 2020 by setuporg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 23, 2020 Share #9 Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, setuporg said: What was special about the Ralph Gibson edition? It was a Limited-Edition special and there were only 35 sets made so it's an attractive item for Leica Collectors to have. It also came with a special edition silver-chrome 35mm Summilux and so on. It can easily be identified by the 'Ralph Gibson' signature facsimile on the top-plate. Even at an eye-watering original asking price of c. $28,000 they all sold out within months of release. https://leicarumors.com/2014/02/01/the-leica-monochrom-ralph-gibson-camera-priced-at-e21k-is-sold-out.aspx/ Philip. EDIT : A bit of completely unimportant - but connected and unexpected - navel-gazing stuff which relates my own experience... Had I acquired a regular silver-chrome M9M I had decided that I would have the (otherwise blank) top-plate personalised / engraved in a manner similar to the RG release (but with my own 'scrawl', obviously!) and had gone as far as to have sourced my trusted engraver, created the finished 'art-work' and had it all priced-up and ready to go. This plan went awry when the body I eventually bought turned out to be a mint-condition, newly factory-refurbished sub-150 clicks(!) 'A-la-Carte' finished version complete with 'Leica (etc)' engraved top-plate and covered in a rather fetching shade of deep-red leather. Personalisation was forgotten but that was absolutely fine as the thing looked lovely exactly as it was. Here was the unexpected down-side of having such a unique-looking camera; the very first time I ever took the camera out I was approached three times within 30 mins(!) by folks who all recognised it as being a Leica but wanted to know much more about it as it was clearly a bit different from the regular fare. Now; I like chatting with people but it was a bit distracting to have to interrupt my shooting repeatedly to relate the story behind the body. Much the same thing happened each time I took it out. In every case, it transpires, it was the fairly unique colour of the leather which was the main point of fascination - even for people who didn't have a clue what a Leica was; just that the colour looked very "Period" and was unanimously declared to be "Absolutely Gorgeous!". Reluctantly I took the difficult decision to have the body recovered in the ubiquitous black grained covering. Since having had it recovered not one single person has commented on my camera. Weird. Before; 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! Philip. Edited June 23, 2020 by pippy 8 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/310784-silver-monochrom/?do=findComment&comment=3998152'>More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 23, 2020 Share #10 Posted June 23, 2020 2 hours ago, setuporg said: What was special about the Ralph Gibson edition? The Lux looks like a standard silver 35mm FLE Lux, right? I believe the 35 Lux did not come in silver at the time (now does). It also came with a leather case, matching strap, copy of book Mono, and a signed print. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
setuporg Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted June 23, 2020 @pippy that's an absolute beauty and it was very curmudgeonly of you to unavail the world of an opportunity to compliment you on it! 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 23, 2020 Share #12 Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, setuporg said: @pippy that's an absolute beauty and it was very curmudgeonly of you to unavail the world of an opportunity to compliment you on it! I'm actually quite disappointed that I summoned up the determination to go through with the recovering but, sadly, it seemed to be the only way to remain 'invisible' when street-shooting. What was really annoying was that it was precisely because of its unique appearance(*) that it became such an irresistible magnet for those who saw it and had a yen to know more about it which, in turn, meant that it was impossible for me to use the camera discreetly - leaving aside the time lost shooting as I was yapping away. Once it was 'Silver and Black' it became just another boring camera and no-one has ever given it a second's thought. As I said earlier; it was a completely unexpected reaction to my using it on the streets. So now it just looks rather like this photoshopped version of the exact same image used earlier......but I've left the shadowy reflection of the original remain just so it can continue to haunt my waking hours... 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! Philip. (*) This is quite literally true; according to Leica records there has never been another silver-chrome M9M so engraved and finished with the same coloured leather. Edited June 23, 2020 by pippy Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Philip. (*) This is quite literally true; according to Leica records there has never been another silver-chrome M9M so engraved and finished with the same coloured leather. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/310784-silver-monochrom/?do=findComment&comment=3998220'>More sharing options...
setuporg Posted June 23, 2020 Author Share #13 Posted June 23, 2020 @pippy that's great too in austere and classic sort of way. Yet now I'm drawn to your original look and will take mine to Leica next time to see if they can update it. I'm absolutely all for chatting up with strangers, that's what life is about and serendipity happens!:) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 23, 2020 Share #14 Posted June 23, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, setuporg said: ...that's great too in austere and classic sort of way. Yet now I'm drawn to your original look and will take mine to Leica next time to see if they can update it. I'm absolutely all for chatting up with strangers, that's what life is about and serendipity happens!:) Yes; I know. And I agree with you! Every single time (literally!) I see the image with the original covering I have pangs of remorse (for a few reasons) but there was not one single outing I undertook with it 'as was' where I was left alone in my own little world of Snapping. But, subsequently, I've been asking myself; 'Is that such a bad thing?'... I, too, very much enjoy chatting with strangers - much to the bemusement of my wife and daughter - and it hasn't escaped my attention that having spoken with a complete stranger about the camera I would have had the perfect opportunity to ask; "So; now that you know the story of the thing would you mind, awfully, if I used it to take a portrait or two of your good self?......"...... Hmmmm..... Philip. Edited June 23, 2020 by pippy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted June 24, 2020 Share #15 Posted June 24, 2020 10 hours ago, pippy said: Yes; I know. And I agree with you! Every single time (literally!) I see the image with the original covering I have pangs of remorse (for a few reasons) but there was not one single outing I undertook with it 'as was' where I was left alone in my own little world of Snapping. But, subsequently, I've been asking myself; 'Is that such a bad thing?'... I, too, very much enjoy chatting with strangers - much to the bemusement of my wife and daughter - and it hasn't escaped my attention that having spoken with a complete stranger about the camera I would have had the perfect opportunity to ask; "So; now that you know the story of the thing would you mind, awfully, if I used it to take a portrait or two of your good self?......"...... Hmmmm..... Philip. Hi Philip, You are not alone. Much the same happened to me, although that wasn't why I sold it - as you know, Ivor came knocking on my door with a new M10-Mono! I was sorry to see it go but finances are limited. Did you keep the red leather skin? If so, I guess you could always make the change back. Anyway, I'm glad it found a good home and the camera is being used as intended. @setuporg this red leather is on the Leica colour chart - it's called Boysenberry. If you speak to Michel Razafirmahefa in Wetzlar he might be able to help. I can confirm this is (was!) the only chrome Mono covered in Boysenberry leather. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 24, 2020 Share #16 Posted June 24, 2020 5 minutes ago, T25UFO said: Hi Philip...You are not alone. Much the same happened to me, although that wasn't why I sold it - as you know, Ivor came knocking on my door with a new M10-Mono!...Did you keep the red leather skin? If so, I guess you could always make the change back. Hi T25! Yes! I was very careful when removing the Boysenberry covering because I very much wanted to be able to return it to how it was when I bought the camera. It's a surprisingly straightforward task as the covering is just one continuous strip of leather. How are you getting on with the M10M? I sincerely hope it's everything you expected - and then some! I've put quite a few more clicks () on your old 9 but, for obvious reasons, nowhere near as many as I would have hoped by this time! I trust that the current situation will change for the better very soon for all our sakes and the cobwebs can be well and truly blown away! Philip 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted June 24, 2020 Share #17 Posted June 24, 2020 10 hours ago, pippy said: Hi T25! Yes! I was very careful when removing the Boysenberry covering because I very much wanted to be able to return it to how it was when I bought the camera. It's a surprisingly straightforward task as the covering is just one continuous strip of leather. How are you getting on with the M10M? I sincerely hope it's everything you expected - and then some! I've put quite a few more clicks () on your old 9 but, for obvious reasons, nowhere near as many as I would have hoped by this time! I trust that the current situation will change for the better very soon for all our sakes and the cobwebs can be well and truly blown away! Philip The M10-Mono is quite simply the best camera I have ever owned. I've not had much opportunity to take photos - I am in the vulnerable age group, not actually shielding, but have been strictly self isolating until the grandchildren visited last weekend. Took the opportunity to get a quick snap of Fliss with her new hat - a great subject for the Mono! Loses something in low resolution for this forum but looks a little better in Lightbox: 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! 7 3 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/310784-silver-monochrom/?do=findComment&comment=3998731'>More sharing options...
pedaes Posted June 24, 2020 Share #18 Posted June 24, 2020 36 minutes ago, T25UFO said: The M10-Mono is quite simply the best camera I have ever owned. I've not had much opportunity to take photos - I am in the vulnerable age group, not actually shielding, but have been strictly self isolating until the grandchildren visited last weekend. Took the opportunity to get a quick snap of Fliss with her new hat - a great subject for the Mono! Loses something in low resolution for this forum but looks a little better in Lightbox: 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! Just lovely. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted June 24, 2020 Share #19 Posted June 24, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, T25UFO said: The M10-Mono is quite simply the best camera I have ever owned.......Took the opportunity to get a quick snap of Fliss with her new hat - a great subject for the Mono! Loses something in low resolution for this forum but looks a little better in Lightbox... Really glad to hear that the M10M is as good as you hoped - and that you are taking due care in these strange times! As far as the snap goes it's just perfect! Not only that; thanks to the new rules we can see it in high-res by double-clicking and magnifying so we can, at least, get a good idea of the true quality of the full-size image. Philip. Edited June 24, 2020 by pippy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
setuporg Posted June 26, 2020 Author Share #20 Posted June 26, 2020 The two complement each other like black and white! 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! 2 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/310784-silver-monochrom/?do=findComment&comment=3999385'>More sharing options...
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