The M240 hurt Leica.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

The news today that Leica has reduced its lens prices by 12% should come as no surprise.  Leica has been quietly discounting new lenses and cameras and selling them as “demos” for many months, and those same lenses and cameras have been languishing on dealers’ shelves for at least as long.

Why has Leica, who had trouble meeting demand for its products several years ago, experienced this reversal of fortune? 

Simply put, the M240 did not ignite the passion of photographers (or at least camera purchasers) and it didn’t become the blockbuster Leica had hoped.  And since camera sales drive lens sales, the lenses are now – figuratively and literally – collecting dust.

People who follow this blog know of my passion for the M9 and of my distaste for the M240 (see my Open Letter to Leica).  The reasons for this have been well documented, so I won’t rehash them here.

Even if you put my personal bias aside, the M240 was made obsolete by other CMOS-based cameras (I’m thinking specifically about Sony’s cameras) the moment it hit the streets.  The M9 at least offered something different, while remaining true to the Leica ethos.

Whatever Leica does with the next M, I would humbly suggest that they focus on the following:

  1. superior image quality
  2. reliability
  3. a less-is-more interface
  4. rangefinder accuracy and precision
  5. weight and size reduction.

Until then, I’m holding on to my M9P and M9 Monochrom*.

—Peter.

*Incidentally, my good friend Alex here in Toronto (who sells more Leica gear than anyone else in Canada) tells me that he has trouble selling new or used M240s, while used M9s fly off his shelves, despite the very well known sensor corrosion issue.

Guest Post: Joe Tori and “The Psychic Bees”

Guest Post, Inspiration, Portrait, Sony RX1R

I am pleased to share a first-time Guest Post by Joe Tori.

Joe, I love the emotion, composition, and lighting.

…and the B&W tones are visually mellifluous!

—Peter.

—

Joe Tori writes:

“Detroit has a vibrant and collegial music scene; lots of ensembles spanning all genres. “The Psychic Bees” are just one – and one of the newest — bands making up this energetic landscape. And, of course, I would not miss a performance, since my daughter is one of its members. Previously, she was a founding member of an all-girl, alternative punk band that met with some success, recording and performing original music at a number of well-regarded venues around town. Alas, however, logistics and educational demands forced the demise of “Smudge Candy” and Anna immersed herself in university studies and rock music instruction. Recently, she accepted a career-enhancing job opportunity and her music writing/performing passion was reignited. “The Psychic Bees”, made up of some very capable and genuinely nice musicians wrote new music and debuted it at The Diesel Lounge.

In photographing these events I strive for – but don’t always achieve – the goal of capturing the spirit of the performance. Lighting conditions are often challenging. And, it can be difficult to seize an instant in which all performers are out in the open and in the moment. This image stood out for me as one such instance. Anna was immersed and Adam was absorbed. I’m pleased to have caught this moment.

(The photo was made using the Sony RX1R. The RAW image received only minor adjustment in Photoshop CC).”

–

Psychic Bees - JTori

Leica officially killed off CCD yesterday.

Inspiration

Leica officially killed off CCD, with the introduction of the Leica Monochrom (Type 246) yesterday.

Unfortunately, this was entirely expected.

Consequently, we have lost something special.  The 90% of photographers who cannot tell the difference between M9 vs. M240 files, but who value the me-too features of CaNikoSony will no doubt be rejoicing right about now.

For the rest of us:  CCD is dead – long live CCD!

—Peter.