Spyro P. wrote:
I never understood the point of having local dealers for high ticket items, all they do is add their cost margin, logistical delays and in most cases a good deal of infuriating ignorance and bias.
The point is that most companies needs a dealer network, and bypassing that network to sell the marquee items will destroy the relationship and that network.

Whether or not Leica could survive without a network of dealers by selling their items directly to the consumer is a separate question. I doubt it, as people who buy high ticket items are also going to demand support if something goes wrong, and that is one of the things the dealer provides. But if it were doable, I am sure that Leica's analysts would have figured this out.

Truth is, I cannot think of a single high ticket item (besides Really Right Stuff stuff )that is only sold directly by the manufacturer, cutting out the middle man. That alone is revealing.

thrice wrote:
Damn this is one pretty camera... I'm loving the look of silver lenses/accessories on the black paint body. The battery is taking an eternity to charge

thrice wrote:
One thing I will say is: Wow this LCD is terrible. I mean it's bright and viewable etc... but it's such a low res and poor detail coming from the 5D Mark II screen Not going to influence my photos as I'm used to my M6 which has no LCD, just a little discouraging when you review your shots and they look like ass until you get them on the computer.

I think I'll turn review off

Oh and Auto WB in tungsten... not good. Let's hope firmware fixes it. Other than that the camera is a lot quicker than people made it out to be, the zooming in on images on the LCD doesn't take that long, and menu reaction is prompt. I manually coded all my lenses (none are coded) with little effort using Bo Lorentzen's $6 coding kit I have yet to review all the shots on the computer since I don't think I've shot enough to do a decent evaluation. We have some nice weather today so I'll get out there at sunset.

If I could change only one thing, it would be the LCD. There is no excuse for using such an outdated screen. Otherwise I am pretty happy with everything else on the camera.

Andrew, they're from Luxecase, e-mail Kim directly: luxecase [at] naver [dot] com He speaks fluent english and is very polite and accomodating.

I have a custom length handmade wide cotton strap coming and it cost me like $75 USD shipped! I like my cameras low (1.5m strap) and he has been awesome to deal with

I just drilled a hole through the case and got a longer bolt so I can attach my acratech tripod plate... To get at the battery/card I now have to remove my thumbs up with an allen key, my quick release plate with a spanner and then take off my case and remove the base plate..... I will get tired of that exercise quickly and might have to come up with a better solution. One of those easy access base plates with cutouts in the bottom of the case might be the best option.

Spyro P. wrote:
snowboarder wrote:
James R wrote:
Nice hearing from you again.

Apology accepted Look, we are all civilized here, I admit I don't respect a company
which is creating a cult around their products and have people believe something like that:

lordarka wrote:
Why is it so hard to understand why someone can't respect a company that all too often raises their cameras to the level of fashionable artifice, while failing to innovate technologically?

I can sort of understand that, but thats not what he said. Besides I will never blame a company for giving their customers what they want. Thats what people want and pay for, thats what Leica gives them. All good.

tmark wrote:
Spyro P. wrote:
I never understood the point of having local dealers for high ticket items, all they do is add their cost margin, logistical delays and in most cases a good deal of infuriating ignorance and bias.
The point is that most companies needs a dealer network, and bypassing that network to sell the marquee items will destroy the relationship and that network.

I was thinking more from the customer's perspective.

lordarka wrote:

I imagine the thing that bothers him is the fact that the garish orange color adds no functional benefit to the camera, but nearly quadruples the price. Some people value functional build quality in their tools, and don't care to turn their cameras into collectibles or fashion accessories. Why is it so hard to understand why someone can't respect a company that all too often raises their cameras to the level of fashionable artifice, while failing to innovate technologically? Leica may have a great pedigree and fantastic lenses, but Leica camera hardware simply is not that great, particularly in the digital realm. I know I was not impressed with my own experience.



Not keeping up with technology can devastate a company. Leica's lenses and loyal following kept it afloat. Look how many great camera companies have failed in the digital age. IMO, Leica will succeed within the RF niche if it keeps committed to bring the best image to its cameras. The next M camera should continue to bring an improved digital image and greater functionality to its camera. A RF will never keep up with the DSLRs, but that's ok. I think it is a mistake to compare the two. Price is an issue that will always divide people. I don't think Leica wants to be the camera for the masses. To do so would cheapen its brand name, just like poor QC will cost them their fan base.

One impression after getting some shots onto the computer WRT exposure lattitude.

You can't blow your highlights on this camera, it doesn't hold nearly as much in the highlights as my 5D-II did, it does however, hold a ton more detail in the shadows which can be pushed quite hard before creating noise. I wondered why I had to set +2/3eV to get similar exposures to what I would normally do on my 5D-II (slightly over expose), Leica must obviously be aware of the way the RAW files behave and set the meter accordingly.

thrice wrote:
Andrew, they're from Luxecase, e-mail Kim directly: luxecase [at] naver [dot] com He speaks fluent english and is very polite and accomodating.

I have a custom length handmade wide cotton strap coming and it cost me like $75 USD shipped! I like my cameras low (1.5m strap) and he has been awesome to deal with

I just drilled a hole through the case and got a longer bolt so I can attach my acratech tripod plate... To get at the battery/card I now have to remove my thumbs up with an allen key, my quick release plate with a spanner and then take off my case and remove the base plate..... I will get tired of that exercise quickly and might have to come up with a better solution. One of those easy access base plates with cutouts in the bottom of the case might be the best option.

thanks, now there's just the small issue of getting the M9 to go in it! Next year hopefully!

thrice wrote:
Damn this is one pretty camera... I'm loving the look of silver lenses/accessories on the black paint body. The battery is taking an eternity to charge

thrice; that's a nice leash you got on that puppy...

tmark, it was 120,000 WON, which in Canadian currency is about $109.