Is this camera a waste of time?

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Why not just shoot BW film? BTW this camera goes for $8K.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysQl7SUEo4s&feature=player_embedded

 

[cramej]

Not for those who have $8k absolutely scorching a hole in their pocket and don't even have a clue that the stuff called film is even made any more. Yet again, Leica markets a status symbol.

 

[madgardener]

Not only why not shoot BW film, why spend thousands of dollars on a camera? Granted, its a Leica, and yes, its a dedicated BW camera to boot, but for what that camera would cost, I can buy,develop,s*an/or print directly to paper a whole lotta pictures.

 

[newcan1]

Absolutely crazy. The nuts have taken over the nuthouse.

 

[cliveh]

Why not just shoot BW film? BTW this camera goes for $8K.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysQl7SUEo4s&feature=player_embedded

Cameras don't take pictures, people do. Although it's nice to shoot with a good camera and precision lens, a Brownie in the right place at the right time will record a better picture than any precision camera with what ever dev/print/manipulation combination.

 

[removed account4]

if i had 8k, id buy it in a heartbeat

 

[PKM-25]

I had some of the best Leica gear there is up until early 2011, it was fabulous with Kodachrome no doubt. But between the prices shooting through the roof to the point that I was afraid to even put a scratch on a lens barrel and that I had no interest in paying for their M9, I sold nearly all of it and instead, bought lots of film, paper and chemistry.

I now have what I consider Leica M nirvana, my lovely grey leather covered M3 and a brand new Zeiss 50mm 1.5 Sonnar C. As nice as that Mono-M might be, it is still a computer camera that produces computer prints, no thanks!

 

[onepuff]

Completely loopy waste of money to buy something that expensive to try and replicate the feel of shooting with something that can be had so much cheaper and will (with the right skill) give better results and more satisfaction to boot. Still, I'm sure there will be a queue of people to buy these with more money than either sense or talent.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

I made it to 2:00. That far in, the piece reeks of 'film is fun but old fashioned' Read: Non-hip. There was also more than a hint of desperation in the script. Elsewhere, $1k discounts on M9s and M9-Ps. Guess those Hermes party favors aren't moving as well as was hoped.

I'm sure Leicas cost a bunch to manufacture even with the Portuguese pre-assembly but, once you've identified your product with a certain lifestyle, volume plateaus and the only way to deal with costs is via price increases. Or stoop to Japanese quality levels. That said I hope they sell a ton, I want them to stick around.

Not my cup of tea, I'd love to have an M3 and a Summicron. Are ya listenin' Santa?

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Finally a digital camera that's worth buying. I'd be willing to sell my first born.

 

[zsas]

Every consumer good segment will have its top dollar items. In one sense it is striking that this camera is so expensive, however, if there has to be a mega priced camera it is humbeling that it is this. I think I read there was a purse that was priced at $100K, in that context this is a steal....

 

[Photo Engineer]

Answer to question posed in OP. >>>> YES <<<<

Did you know that you can take moderately good IR color images by using a heavy ND over the lens and then shooting normal scenes? Did you know that removal of the anti-aliasing screen (which provides an IR cutoff filter will improve digital IR imaging?

So, this is a real wast of money and time!!!!!!

PE

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Thanks PE. I thought I was just cheap.

 

[lxdude]

I'm amazed at how loud the motor is. I think an old fashioned lever would be better if they can't get that quieter. With the vertical shutter and no film to wind it could have a pretty short stroke.

 

[removed account4]

there are plenty of flaws with film equipment, lenses that cost a small fortune,
and crappy films, chemicals and papers ... this looks like fun, and all the cool images
i can just reduce down to 72dpi and send to my friends and family, post endlessly on FB
and on RFF and other lieca forms.
well worth the hefty price tagg for that much cool factor ..
then when i am done being cool, i can auction it off on ebooooo and get at least what i paid for it back ...
prototypes always fetch more in auctions. you guys are being way to harsh ...

 

[MattKing]

No, but it is a waste of money (when compared to film).

Kodak tried something similar, but it was more money!

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/kodak-760m.shtml

 

[Prof_Pixel]

I think Kodak had monochrome (and IR) versions of its early digital cameras. I know there were 3 versions of the original DCS.

 

[summicron1]

if i had 8k, id buy it in a heartbeat

if I had 8k I'd buy an M7. Right now I suffer along with my M series cameras and film.

Oh! The Humanity!

 

[nexus757]

You can reduce down to 72dpi most any negative from a $10 Brownie or Instamatic for about the same effect and get at least what you paid for it back.

 

[lxdude]

there are plenty of flaws with film equipment, lenses that cost a small fortune,
and crappy films, chemicals and papers ... this looks like fun, and all the cool images
i can just reduce down to 72dpi and send to my friends and family, post endlessly on FB
and on RFF and other lieca forms.
well worth the hefty price tagg for that much cool factor ..
then when i am done being cool, i can auction it off on ebooooo and get at least what i paid for it back ...
prototypes always fetch more in auctions. you guys are being way to harsh ...

 

[nicholai]

I would buy that, if i had that kind of money and needed a digital camera. I believe it to be way better than any colour RF/SLRS.

 

[darkosaric]

I have read that Leica is offering printing digital photos on silver gelatin print together with new B&W M digital...?

 

[cepwin]

I'm sure it's an amazing camera but I can't see it taking 100x better images than my Yashica electro 35 that I paid $60 on ebay (Which also BTW can use color film if I choose ) I'd rather find a nice used Leica film camera ..much better value.

 

[baachitraka]

May be not, if I able to create art that are immortal. Only question is, can I able to create one? °!°

 

[MDR]

If I had that kind of money I would buy the Phase One Achromatic. Okay it's more expensive but the files are more beautiful it has more resolution a bigger sensor, etc... I actually don't like the look of the (unprocessed) images created by the Leica M9M. For 7500 $ less I can buy an M3 and the best B/W sensor in existence B/W Film.
The new M is a gadget for guys (mostly) that need the Leica mystique but don't want to use film. The new Leica lenses for the M9m are lacking (look) as well they are too sharp and too clean.