M11 New York USA Edition - use or keep sealed?

[eleven24]

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3 hours ago, T25UFO said:

But much better things are coming this year, and I don’t mean Safari or M11-V.  As others have commented here, if you’re looking for a camera as an investment then it has to be analog.  I suggest you start saving now because the 100 year milestone surely cannot pass without something truly spectacular coming along before the year end.

Even when driving to the NYC event and talking about the unlikely what-if I had an opportunity to buy one, I was speculating on the notion that collectors would be there looking for a shelf trophy to perhaps go along with the other 100th editions.  The surprise when I found out they had one, coupled with the excitement of the event itself, the idea that this was a limited edition 100th year anniversary M11, AND... to anyone who has ever walked into a Leica store, the knee buckling feeling of holding the demo model in your hands was enough to convince my irrational decision making process that yes, yes indeed I should get this one. After all, it will be a collectors item!

I was shocked that I left it unsealed in the box for the rest of my time at the NYC event. Utterly amazed that it stayed that way until late Monday night. 

Pfft. My wife says I have no will power! Ha! 

For now though, I'll just list my M11 on FredMiranda (but hey, PM me here if anyone is interested) 

 

Edited May 6 by eleven24

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[Al Brown]

I wonder if Americans will be buying the Shanghai special edition with words CHINA spelled on top their black paint M.

[Paul-home]

I bought one of the Dubai cameras and I am using it as my almost main camera. I really like slightly different design, especially the dials. It would be a shame not to use such a beautifully crafted tool.

[colonel]

On 5/4/2025 at 4:16 PM, eleven24 said:

Driving to NYC yesterday with my wife for the Leica 100th celebration, we were talking about the special edition New York USA edition M11. We were both saying that if one was available we should get one and keep it unopened as an investment. Didn't really think much of it because I was certain there'd be no availablity anyway, given the nature of collectors. To my surprise, one was available - so I bought it.

Having never bought a camera to do anything with but use it, this is foreign to me -- holding a new unboxed Leica only to put it on a shelf and wait. This is where the dilemma is. I stepped into a world (Leica collectors) that I know nothing about because a 1 in 100 version of a 100th edition Leica M was unexpectedly on the counter in front of me. The photographer in me wants to use it and appreciate it, and sell my current M11 as I've never been one to have a camera that sits unused. But... what if this becomes a legit collectors item? 

Would appreciate the insight of anyone who might be a collector here, or at least have a better perspective than I do on the collectors market. 

I wouldn't count on it appreciating. Even in 20 years.

Better to buy shares in the trough ....

 

[benqui]

vor 14 Stunden schrieb Al Brown:

I wonder if Americans will be buying the Shanghai special edition with words CHINA spelled on top their black paint M.

I think the China version will have  140% punitive  tariffs. As a result it will be the most expensive digital M ever!!

[setuporg]

It pains for me to even think of having an unused camera.  

Edited May 7 by setuporg

[jaapv]

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On 5/4/2025 at 6:02 PM, Smudgerer said:

Of course one could Xray, it was a tongue in cheek remark.............Though by shaking the unopened box perhaps an expert would be able to confirm the contents with knowledge of that unique "Leica rattle"........

As far as I remember it was an unopened iiic K7 which was at auction for a not inconsiderable amount. 

[schipper]

To answer that question, you must think about what is most important in your life : money or fun ?

I imagine that if you like Leica, you prefer fun (if not, you would buy sony or GFX).

[setuporg]

4 minutes ago, schipper said:

money or fun ?

Leica users explicitly find proactive ways to get rid of money to have fun (before the realization of the end of money ends the fun).

[DadDadDaddyo]

To paraphrase the old saying...

"A Leica can get you through times of no money better than money can get you through a time of no Leica."

[Texan]

On 5/4/2025 at 10:28 AM, jakontil said:

all wives always got it right especially when challenged

Wives are never wrong, they just change their mind !!

[colonel]

4 hours ago, setuporg said:

Leica users explicitly find proactive ways to get rid of money to have fun (before the realization of the end of money ends the fun).

but its all an investment ... nothing ever goes down ...

[kiwidad]

21 hours ago, benqui said:

I think the China version will have  140% punitive  tariffs. As a result it will be the most expensive digital M ever!!

lol, not unless Leica start building them in China! That’s the one with the dragon engraved on the top plate?

I figure this China thing will end fairly quickly. But from a Leica perspective it really only affects some accessories and batteries!.

[kiwidad]

On 5/6/2025 at 12:23 PM, eleven24 said:

Even when driving to the NYC event and talking about the unlikely what-if I had an opportunity to buy one, I was speculating on the notion that collectors would be there looking for a shelf trophy to perhaps go along with the other 100th editions.  The surprise when I found out they had one, coupled with the excitement of the event itself, the idea that this was a limited edition 100th year anniversary M11, AND... to anyone who has ever walked into a Leica store, the knee buckling feeling of holding the demo model in your hands was enough to convince my irrational decision making process that yes, yes indeed I should get this one. After all, it will be a collectors item!

I was shocked that I left it unsealed in the box for the rest of my time at the NYC event. Utterly amazed that it stayed that way until late Monday night. 

Pfft. My wife says I have no will power! Ha! 

For now though, I'll just list my M11 on FredMiranda (but hey, PM me here if anyone is interested) 

 

Way to go. It would suck to open it years from now and find out it suffers from an issue and parts no longer exist!

[eleven24]

On 5/7/2025 at 4:20 AM, benqui said:

I think the China version will have  140% punitive  tariffs. As a result it will be the most expensive digital M ever!!

Pretty sure I read that the M is subject to 10%, but the D-Lux8 will see a price increase from $1595 to $2790 presumably because the parts or assembly are from China. 

All good though because consumers don't pay the tariffs. Or at least that's what he said. 🙄

[T25UFO]

1 hour ago, eleven24 said:

All good though because consumers don't pay the tariffs. Or at least that's what he said

Where did you learn economics?

The US importer applies the tariff at the point of entry.  If the base price is $1,000 and the tariff is 25%, the importer adds $250 to the base price and must then pay that extra $250 to the Government.

The importer can then either (1) absorb the extra $250 and take it out of his margin, or (2) pass the whole cost onto the consumer.

I think you’ll agree that option (1) is extremely unlikely!  So the consumer pays.  This lack of basic knowledge is truly astounding, but why am I not surprised 🤣

[IkarusJohn]

14 minutes ago, T25UFO said:

Where did you learn economics?

The US importer applies the tariff at the point of entry.  If the base price is $1,000 and the tariff is 25%, the importer adds $250 to the base price and must then pay that extra $250 to the Government.

The importer can then either (1) absorb the extra $250 and take it out of his margin, or (2) pass the whole cost onto the consumer.

I think you’ll agree that option (1) is extremely unlikely!  So the consumer pays.  This lack of basic knowledge is truly astounding, but why am I not surprised 🤣

I think he might have been ironic?

[RMF]

Has the M11p NY edition from the Meatpacking store fully sold out?  Yes, I get that’s it’s a limited item, but since they were are only available at the Meatpacking store, and although the celebration and party were elaborate….it seems unlikely to me that they sold 100 copies of this NY version at that store since they were introduced.  Maybe I’m wrong and it’s more collectible than I anticipated.  If anyone knows, let us know 😀

 

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[Jeff S]

23 hours ago, RMF said:

Has the M11p NY edition from the Meatpacking store fully sold out?  Yes, I get that’s it’s a limited item, but since they were are only available at the Meatpacking store, and although the celebration and party were elaborate….it seems unlikely to me that they sold 100 copies of this NY version at that store since they were introduced.  Maybe I’m wrong and it’s more collectible than I anticipated.  If anyone knows, let us know 😀

 

I just called, only out of curiosity, no personal interest. They are currently sold out in NY, but other Leica stores will be offering the rest. The salesperson was evasive, but NY may have gotten a half or so of the total. 

Plus it should be noted that there are evidently 6 countries/cities receiving 100 special anniversary editions; NY is only one. So. 600 total.

https://leicarumors.com/2025/01/22/the-new-leica-m11-100-years-of-leica-anniversary-edition-camera.aspx/

[RQ44]

On 5/5/2025 at 1:16 AM, eleven24 said:

Driving to NYC yesterday with my wife for the Leica 100th celebration, we were talking about the special edition New York USA edition M11. We were both saying that if one was available we should get one and keep it unopened as an investment. Didn't really think much of it because I was certain there'd be no availablity anyway, given the nature of collectors. To my surprise, one was available - so I bought it.

Having never bought a camera to do anything with but use it, this is foreign to me -- holding a new unboxed Leica only to put it on a shelf and wait. This is where the dilemma is. I stepped into a world (Leica collectors) that I know nothing about because a 1 in 100 version of a 100th edition Leica M was unexpectedly on the counter in front of me. The photographer in me wants to use it and appreciate it, and sell my current M11 as I've never been one to have a camera that sits unused. But... what if this becomes a legit collectors item? 

Would appreciate the insight of anyone who might be a collector here, or at least have a better perspective than I do on the collectors market. 

My opinion is that you wont be around to reap the rewards if it is an investment, secondly, i don't believe current model cameras will be as sought after, let alone worth as much in the future. They are for more mass produced than the older units and wil have the same sensor arrnagement in the future plus/minus more megapixels.

So, I say.......Buy that puppy and unwrap it and go use it. You never know when your time is up and you will have missed out on the opportunity.