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Is Hermes edition M9 a collector piece?

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zilver

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Hi,

Pretentiousism aside (is that even a word?)

I was having a discussion with my regular leica shop that they may have a Hermes edition M9 come in from an owner soon , I don't even know the price , I assume it won't make sense but it certainly peeks my curiousity about Leica collecting.

Do you guys think this is a collectible Leica ? What would you consider a collectors piece?
 
zilver said:
Hi,

Pretentiousism aside (is that even a word?)

I was having a discussion with my regular leica shop that they may have a Hermes edition M9 come in from an owner soon , I don't even know the price , I assume it won't make sense but it certainly peeks my curiousity about Leica collecting.

Do you guys think this is a collectible Leica ? What would you consider a collectors piece?
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Unless it's used for taking photographs, a camera is a gelded stallion.
 
Digital Leica's are never collectibles, but money burning machines!

J
 
satijntje said:
Digital Leica's are never collectibles, but money burning machines!

J
Click to expand...
In general, collectors rarely use the objects they collect. Hermes editions, in fact all the soecial editions Leica's are relatively rare, so I suppose they have a premium collectors value. So the only question you should ask is, do I take pictures or do I collect. If you take pictures buy a Leica for use. If you collect, you may want to pay a premium for the Hermes. In any case, it is not a subject for a photographic forum.
Jim
 
zilver said:
Hi,

Pretentiousism aside (is that even a word?)

I was having a discussion with my regular leica shop that they may have a Hermes edition M9 come in from an owner soon , I don't even know the price , I assume it won't make sense but it certainly peeks my curiousity about Leica collecting.

Do you guys think this is a collectible Leica ? What would you consider a collectors piece?
Click to expand...
Do not waste your money.... It will not hold its value
 
Thank you

But not sure why it cannot be a subject in the forum of a gear related site?

Jim Evidon said:
satijntje said:
Digital Leica's are never collectibles, but money burning machines!

J
Click to expand...
In general, collectors rarely use the objects they collect. Hermes editions, in fact all the soecial editions Leica's are relatively rare, so I suppose they have a premium collectors value. So the only question you should ask is, do I take pictures or do I collect. If you take pictures buy a Leica for use. If you collect, you may want to pay a premium for the Hermes. In any case, it is not a subject for a photographic forum.
Jim
Click to expand...
 
Collectors made leica equipment out of reach for most photographers who could actually use it for something meaningful.

Hermes edition was meant to be collectible right off the bet, as there is no way someone would use an orange camera professionally on the street. As to its ability to hold collectible value, I don't think it will :)
 
Irakly Shanidze said:
Collectors made leica equipment out of reach for most photographers who could actually use it for something meaningful.

Hermes edition was meant to be collectible right off the bet, as there is no way someone would use an orange camera professionally on the street. As to its ability to hold collectible value, I don't think it will :)
Click to expand...
 
Zephir 750 said:
Irakly Shanidze said:
Collectors made leica equipment out of reach for most photographers who could actually use it for something meaningful.

Hermes edition was meant to be collectible right off the bet, as there is no way someone would use an orange camera professionally on the street. As to its ability to hold collectible value, I don't think it will :)

--
Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en
www.artphotoacademy.com
Click to expand...
How very right. My Leica's dealer has a new unused one up for sale and asks, with the kit lens, 12.000 euros for the outfit, but I'm sure that if one were to sell it afterwards one wouldn't perhaps get half of that money. IMHO digital cameras, including Leica's, are no collectible items and...very "risky" as far time value is concerned.

Regards,

Joseph
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When I sent my M9-P in to have the sensor replaced, they had to do away with the nice Vulcanite covering and it came back with the standard material because the Vulcanite was no longer available. Just imagine one of these going in because someone actually used it, found a corroded sensor only to find out Leica couldn't recover it with the original material because it was no longer available, LOL...

--
"There's shadows in life, baby.." Jack Horner- Boogie Nights
 
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Do you mind to PM me the dealer name ? Other places have it priced quite a bit higher than that. Thank you
Zephir 750 said:
Irakly Shanidze said:
Collectors made leica equipment out of reach for most photographers who could actually use it for something meaningful.

Hermes edition was meant to be collectible right off the bet, as there is no way someone would use an orange camera professionally on the street. As to its ability to hold collectible value, I don't think it will :)

--
Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en
www.artphotoacademy.com
Click to expand...
How very right. My Leica's dealer has a new unused one up for sale and asks, with the kit lens, 12.000 euros for the outfit, but I'm sure that if one were to sell it afterwards one wouldn't perhaps get half of that money. IMHO digital cameras, including Leica's, are no collectible items and...very "risky" as far time value is concerned.

Regards,

Joseph
Click to expand...
 
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zilver said:
Do you mind to PM me the dealer name ? Other places have it priced quite a bit higher than that. Thank you
Zephir 750 said:
Irakly Shanidze said:
Collectors made leica equipment out of reach for most photographers who could actually use it for something meaningful.

Hermes edition was meant to be collectible right off the bet, as there is no way someone would use an orange camera professionally on the street. As to its ability to hold collectible value, I don't think it will :)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
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I believe you have a point, but you may have mixed two points together.

One is the standing out part, and what you say is absolutely correct. funny hats or even bright camera skins and cases can get you noticed.

But on the topic of false sense of exclusivity is where I have to disagree. These items are indeed exclusive, some models more so than other but they are exclusive to limited number of people who can either find or afford them.

That being said, maybe they give a false sense of 'value'. Even the best collectors admit that it's not easy to pin down which items will gain or lose in the long run, but Leica certainly makes it seem like all limited items have tremendous amount of value.
Jim Evidon said:
If Orange or any other color than black is desired, you can get any of your Leica's from Ur to M10 recovered in orange lizard, snake, cow or any other organic/ inorganic material for much less than one would pay for an Hermes or any other special edition produced by Leica. After all is said and done, it will function as a camera would without the bling. Special editions in general, whether camera, car or fountain pen are a marketing ploys to charge more and give the owner a false sense of exclusivity. The worst example I've seen is the Tricolor edition they merchandized a year or two ago. That with the user sporting a 'pussy hat' or mouse ears will get attention anywhere.
Jim
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What is indeed exclusive is a M240 Titanium edition with a set of titanium lenses. Hermes, on the other hand, is identical to the standard issue performance wise and in terms of materials used. Don't be a sucker.
 
I just came back from Italy where every other vintage camera shops were trying to offer me titanium edition. I won't be buying the Hermes but if I could politely throw your own word back to you, don't be a sucker in thinking that a well known fashion brand with a lot of history and marketing has less perceived value than a different material on a camera.

Dont forget we live in a shallow world. Being Leica fans, we are also certainly part of that world.
Irakly Shanidze said:
What is indeed exclusive is a M240 Titanium edition with a set of titanium lenses. Hermes, on the other hand, is identical to the standard issue performance wise and in terms of materials used. Don't be a sucker.

--
Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en
www.artphotoacademy.com
Click to expand...
 
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zilver said:
I just came back from Italy where every other vintage camera shops were trying to offer me titanium edition. I won't be buying the Hermes but if I could politely throw your own word back to you, don't be a sucker in thinking that a well known fashion brand with a lot of history and marketing has less perceived value than a different material on a camera.

Dont forget we live in a shallow world. Being Leica fans, we are also certainly part of that world.
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With all due respect, speak for yourself.

Everyone keeps telling you this set has big price, but not real value... If you want to invest find something that has some intrinsic or historical value, or at least something that has some emotional value for you, not something that can be used as a status symbol. If you know that something is shallow, do not get sucked into it, because you may find someone else later that will take it off from you.
 
It's largely a matter of perspective.

If I was selling one to you, then I'd tell you that it was a blue-chip investment and a valuable heirloom you could pass on to your grateful children.

OTOH, if you were trying to sell one to me, then I'd say that it was little more than a piece of future e-waste with orange cow hide glued on.

J.
 
I do not collect cameras. I simply use Leica because it is the best, not because it is a status symbol. Real status does not require symbols, you know...
 
If your bank account can stand it and your eyes see beauty - go for it. Whether you find another who feels the same when you come to sell it - who knows!!..
 
I would make one revision to my prior opinion. In the case of fountain pens, Mont Blanc does issue some very snazzy special edition fountain pens from time to time that are distinctive without looking like the latest in bling. My opinion regarding special edition cameras whether Leica's in olive drab or electric orange or Hassleblad's with exotic wood grips.
Jim
 
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