Leica M-A Titan GAS pictures.

[Huss]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

37 minutes ago, ianman said:

I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Who would want one of these to use over the standard model? Is the only reason in hope for a good ROI?

It’s a beautiful unique limited production piece of industrial art.  A standard M-A will take the same pics, as will any other camera that can take M lenses and 35mm film.  

i think you do understand what the fuss is about, it just doesn’t appeal to you which is your prerogative.

[Huss]

2 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

Looks nice, I agree, but these limited editions are not for me.  I’d take a standard version on a world tour instead, put some film through it and probably still have cash left over.

Why not do both?  Of course the kit is expensive but it depends on how one prioritizes their finances.  My car is paid off and 12 years old.  I know many many people who must have a new car every 2-4 years, and the avg price of a USED car in the USA is now almost $30,000!

Even if you use this kit and not hide it away the value of it will increase.  It actually makes sense to buy it if you were able to get hold of one.

[ianman]

17 minutes ago, Huss said:

A standard M-A will take the same pics, as will any other camera that can take M lenses and 35mm film.  

Exactly.

17 minutes ago, Huss said:

i think you do understand what the fuss is about, it just doesn’t appeal to you which is your prerogative.

Strange statement considering your previous one. I didn't say that it doesn't appeal to me. It does... just as much as a black one or a chrome one, but no more either.

So this brings us back to the only other option. It's an investment and as with all investments its purpose is to provide a ROI (as you implicitly suggest in post 22).

[elmars]

vor 15 Minuten schrieb Huss:

Of course the kit is expensive but it depends on how one prioritizes their finances.  My car is paid off and 12 years old.  I know many many people who must have a new car every 2-4 years, and the avg price of a USED car in the USA is now almost $30,000!

Exactly my argumentation since years. And people buy beautiful cars and watches and furniture and clothes because beauty is important to many of us.

So: Titanium is not my favorite surface for an M-camera but I understand why You bought it. 

[Huss]

3 hours ago, ianman said:

Exactly.

Strange statement considering your previous one. I didn't say that it doesn't appeal to me. It does... just as much as a black one or a chrome one, but no more either.

So this brings us back to the only other option. It's an investment and as with all investments its purpose is to provide a ROI (as you implicitly suggest in post 22).

Not at all.  This thing is a work of art, much more so than the standard  M-A.  Pretty much all cameras take the same pics, it is other things that differentiate them.

This actually would be a guilt free purchase compared to a regular M-A, as the regular M-A is worth less the moment you get it, while this will be worth more.  So even if you use it, you will be making money whether you like it or not!

It's purpose is not for ROI - that is a bonus.

[Jul]

9 hours ago, ianman said:

I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Who would want one of these to use over the standard model? Is the only reason in hope for a good ROI?

I think you miss the point. Some people like to have one body loaded
with BW film and one body loaded with color film, as titanium is lighter
than brass, it is more manageable to be out with two of those for an
extended period of time.

[Flu]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I see a new 50 APO variant and out comes the wallet...Ugh... Major GAS!

I now have 8 different 50 APOs and yes I know, I've got the sickness...🤪

[105012]

It is lovely, and the titanium is a practical material. On the other hand I am not without solace:

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!

(And I shall deny vigorously that that is a new 50 in my collection 😀 ).

[Capuccino-Muffin]

The summilux pre asph in Titanium is also especially sexy.

[69xchange]

7 hours ago, Flu said:

I see a new 50 APO variant and out comes the wallet...Ugh... Major GAS!

I now have 8 different 50 APOs and yes I know, I've got the sickness...🤪

Username checks out. The "GAS flu"

[250swb]

18 hours ago, Huss said:

It’s a beautiful unique limited production piece of industrial art.  

Let us not overinflate the already already overinflated, it is industrial design.

With the change left over from buying a bog standard but perfectly functional M-A a photographer could buy 1300 or so rolls of Tri-X (more with a bilk discount) and use them, unlike the lonely roll of Tri-X pathetically sitting in the box that will never be used.

It's not for me, there is no point dreaming, I just don't know the type of people that would be impressed by a $20,000 camera, although I could guess what my next birthday present would be, a straight jacket.

[Matlock]

6 minutes ago, 250swb said:

Let us not overinflate the already already overinflated, it is industrial design.

With the change left over from buying a bog standard but perfectly functional M-A a photographer could buy 1300 or so rolls of Tri-X (more with a bilk discount) and use them, unlike the lonely roll of Tri-X pathetically sitting in the box that will never be used.

It's not for me, there is no point dreaming, I just don't know the type of people that would be impressed by a $20,000 camera, although I could guess what my next birthday present would be, a straight jacket.

I have to agree. Also, as Parker Pens found out, Titanium can have some very unfortunate structural problems.

[IkarusJohn]

On 6/10/2022 at 9:19 PM, wattsy said:

I'm obviously in a minority but I'm not a fan. It does look beautifully made but the finish for me is a bit dull. I genuinely prefer the silver chrome standard version.

Ah, but Ian.  You’re not in a minority at all.  They’ve taken an existing camera and existing lens, and made it out of exotic materials, and made it beautifully.  With only 250 units, no one is going to get one, but for a very small lucky few.  For the likes of you and me, it invigorates the interest in that model and lens.  If it was a CL or TL2 … pffft … who gives a shit.  Paul Smith X2 (was it?), slid into obscurity.

Watch the sales of the M-A and APO 50 Summicron, if we could actually see them.  This suggests to me that the M-A is firmly in Leica’s future.  Nice.

[Ouroboros]

1 hour ago, 250swb said:

......I just don't know the type of people that would be impressed by a $20,000 camera....

I think it's reasonably clear!

Edited June 11, 2022 by Ouroboros

[Ouroboros]

23 hours ago, Huss said:

Why not do both?  Of course the kit is expensive but it depends on how one prioritizes their finances.  My car is paid off and 12 years old.  I know many many people who must have a new car every 2-4 years, and the avg price of a USED car in the USA is now almost $30,000!

Even if you use this kit and not hide it away the value of it will increase.  It actually makes sense to buy it if you were able to get hold of one.

I know 'many many people' who don't feel the need to buy a new car every 2-4 years.  Me, for one.

You seem to be obsessed with ROI on cameras.  This is only relevant to those whose main interest in owning a camera is to cuddle it for a while and then sell it in the hope of making some money on the original outlay.  Nothing really wrong with that if it floats your boat, but please don't try to present me with a non-argument and a false assertion that 'it makes sense'.  

Beyond that, your comparison for ROI with cars or anything else is rather facile. 

I have a brace of Nikon dslr's and several prime lenses that I use exclusively for wedding, commercial and portrait photography.  The outlay for those those cameras and lenses was much less than this blingy titanium Leica confection yet those Nikon cameras and lenses have paid for themselves multiple times over, far in excess of any comparative increase in value during their useful lifetime than the titanium M-A will likely achieve.  This is more relevant to me than fondle-value.  

The thing you may not understand is that I have not ever considered the resale value of any camera I have ever bought for either professional or  personal use.  I would suggest the vast majority of photographers, 'professional' or otherwise, who sell their services and their images, place rather more importance on the suitability of their equipment as a means to an end than they do as short term self-congratulatory onanism just because something is nice to look at.   

It's quite simple, I use my cameras to destruction or sell them on as close to that event as I can with scant regard at the point of purchase to the residual market value.  I would guess the same applies to the average Uber driver with his or her used vehicle purchases, since you insist on comparing cars to cameras.

As I said, it looks nice, but it isn't for me. 

Edited June 11, 2022 by Ouroboros

[earleygallery]

I love the packaging. That single roll of film you get with it. Reminds me of the packaging Kodak used for their cheap 110/126 cameras that would come in a box with a film and a flash cube to get you started.

Leica have been cheap by not including the flash cube though.

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!

 

Edited June 11, 2022 by earleygallery

[logan2z]

I think it's a cool looking camera, but I can't help but think that none of the other lenses in Leica's lineup - black, silver, green - will look good with it.  So it's a cool looking camera with exactly one lens that works with it aesthetically. But if it's never going to leave the box in most cases then I guess that's irrelevant.  

[Huss]

2 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

I know 'many many people' who don't feel the need to buy a new car every 2-4 years.  Me, for one.

You seem to be obsessed with ROI on cameras.  This is only relevant to those whose main interest in owning a camera is to cuddle it for a while and then sell it in the hope of making some money on the original outlay.  Nothing really wrong with that if it floats your boat, but please don't try to present me with a non-argument and a false assertion that 'it makes sense'.  

Beyond that, your comparison for ROI with cars or anything else is rather facile. 

I have a brace of Nikon dslr's and several prime lenses that I use exclusively for wedding, commercial and portrait photography.  The outlay for those those cameras and lenses was much less than this blingy titanium Leica confection yet those Nikon cameras and lenses have paid for themselves multiple times over, far in excess of any comparative increase in value during their useful lifetime than the titanium M-A will likely achieve.  This is more relevant to me than fondle-value.  

The thing you may not understand is that I have not ever considered the resale value of any camera I have ever bought for either professional or  personal use.  I would suggest the vast majority of photographers, 'professional' or otherwise, who sell their services and their images, place rather more importance on the suitability of their equipment as a means to an end than they do as short term self-congratulatory onanism just because something is nice to look at.   

It's quite simple, I use my cameras to destruction or sell them on as close to that event as I can with scant regard at the point of purchase to the residual market value.  I would guess the same applies to the average Uber driver with his or her used vehicle purchases, since you insist on comparing cars to cameras.

As I said, it looks nice, but it isn't for me. 

I also make money selling photos.   While I make money using the camera as a tool, the way you do too, I will also make money on the camera itself as the value of it increases.  Your cameras will become worthless junk once they are worn out. I’ll be making money on both ends, you will not.

Is that a harsh statement?  Perhaps.  But it is true.  And I managed to say that in a few sentences instead of an essay.

 

The interesting thing about this is that it brings out people who somehow are offended that such a camera exists.  And thus feel they need to tell everyone why it is ridiculous.  And yet, no-one is making anyone do anything against their will.  No-one is forcing anyone to buy it.  But for some the implied hurt is so palpable.

If anything those hurt people should be asking why the run of the mill Leicas are so expensive. This titan set is $20k for the camera AND lens - if you bought the standard versions that would be $15k.  The titan set is milled out of titanium - camera and lens - at only 250 pieces.  “Your” question should be why is that such good value for something that will immediately increase in value compared to the standard Leica?

Who on earth would buy a regular M-A with lens for $15k when you can buy a Pentax K1000 w 50mm lens and 1700 rolls of Tri-X instead?

[Huss]

7 hours ago, Matlock said:

I have to agree. Also, as Parker Pens found out, Titanium can have some very unfortunate structural problems.

My titanium F3P, Xpan and Rollei have had no issues.  But it is good you bring a pen into the conversation.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[logan2z]

43 minutes ago, Huss said:

If anything those hurt people should be asking why the run of the mill Leicas are so expensive. This titan set is $20k for the camera AND lens - if you bought the standard versions that would be $15k.  The titan set is milled out of titanium - camera and lens - at only 250 pieces.  “Your” question should be why is that such good value for something that will immediately increase in value compared to the standard Leica?

Point taken, I agree that the Titan set is actually pretty reasonably priced considering the cost of the comparable 'standard' gear.  No doubt it will appreciate over time as well, which is a bonus - although if I owned it I'd use it and likely never sell it, so the investment potential would be wasted on me.