Disgusting

[ricko5]

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing - but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

 

[Foto Freak]

Have you ever owned or used a Leica?

 

[jpfisher]

Well, it does come with a 35mm Lux ASPH and a Leicavit... brings the Hermes premium to somewhere in the $4000 range...

--
Jim

http://www.downeffect.com/jim/portfolio

 

[ricko5]

I stand corrected on the price - it does come with the 35mm 1.4 and a winder.

If I have used a Leica or not is irrelevant IMO - I am making a comment on the strategy of the company not if I like their cameras or not. But for what it is worth yes - I used to own an M6 and have used an M3, MP and various lenses. Beautiful machines.

 

[rami]

Well, I am certainly NOT disgusted by that attitude anywhere near as much as I am disgusted by the culture of getting low income people addicted to junk food, by selling dreams and air to underpaid citizens by making them believe that their life would change. Somehow, I don't believe there is a single person that ever stayed hungry or cold because he bought a collectible Hermes, though many African babies died because a very famous international company gave them free milk powder and dried their nursing mother's breasts...

And yes, I am happy that Leica has this channel to get some extra budget and survive the rough economy and gadget culture. Shall I go on?

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing - but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

 

[Alex K.]

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing

• but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

Ugly or not, Leica is not a charity nor is it a company that is not for profit. They are in the business of selling cameras and making money. Why would they be required to pay "large sum of their huge profits" to charity? I completely disagree on this one with you. Their profits are not huge, company is actually struggling and if this helps to improve their bottom line, so be it

If collector has money and wishes to buy a collectible leica camera who are you to label him/her stupid. Believe it or not but some rich people are actually very smart and there is a good reason why they are rich

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

Highly doubt it that this will happen

 

[Jim Radcliffe]

Have you ever owned or used a Leica?

This is one of those retorts to posts that should be outlawed. Asking if someone has ever owned or used a Leica assumes that common sense is only gained from ownership or use.

Leica has always been overpriced... and that's before you get to their "collectors versions".

--
Jim Radcliffe
http://www.boxedlight.com
http://www.oceona.com

The ability to 'see' the shot is more important than the gear used to capture it.

 

[RaajS]

Very few "rich" people are "stupid." Idiosyncratic, certainly. But not stupid, in my experience.

If someone wants to buy an orange "collectable" camera at that price, more power to them. Just because some others think it's "stupid" doesn't make it so...

--
'Change is not Mandatory, you don't have to Survive...'

 

[Elliot H]

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing

• but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

Ugly or not, Leica is not a charity nor is it a company that is not for profit. They are in the business of selling cameras and making money. Why would they be required to pay "large sum of their huge profits" to charity? I completely disagree on this one with you. Their profits are not huge, company is actually struggling and if this helps to improve their bottom line, so be it

If collector has money and wishes to buy a collectible leica camera who are you to label him/her stupid. Believe it or not but some rich people are actually very smart and there is a good reason why they are rich

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

Highly doubt it that this will happen

Collectble Leicas are a laugh.

Hardly if ever used, drying up as time moves on and in time will have hardly any financial value over standard models, maybe less if the gold plating oxidizes.

Hasselblad has done the same silly thing with past models, grotesque.

Immediate income yes, future benefits, the dilution of a good name.

As I've said all along: the S2 will make money for pros, so hopefully this will keep Leica going. Leica left just enough out for an upgrade within a year of introduction.

and while we're at it; com'n Lecia, shrink that bloated M9 closer to X1 size and don't tell us "it can't be done", we've heard that line from you in the past.

 

[ricko5]

points taken above, thanks for the opinions both ways. I didn't want to get into a direct argument really just wanted to see if it was in the minority. I am not a Leica-basher by any means - I loved my M6 and reluctantly sold it to fund "workhorse" equipment that was more suited to my job at the time.

I just find it very frustrating.

As for the health of the company, to secure their long term future wouldn't they be better off concentrating on developing / pioneering / progressing their photographic tools with a view to converting them to mass market sales rather than putting a pair of pyjamas on a five year old camera and only selling a hundred or so.

I wouldn't expect BMW to charge me 1.5x the price for a car if I wanted it in a ltd edition color and they removed the badge off the back.

 

[Alex K.]

As for the health of the company, to secure their long term future wouldn't they be better off concentrating on developing / pioneering / progressing their photographic tools with a view to converting them to mass market sales rather than putting a pair of pyjamas on a five year old camera and only selling a hundred or so.

Agree with you on that one. But that is the vision of current management and eventually they will realize whats wrong and heads will roll for this decision. Only time will tell

I wouldn't expect BMW to charge me 1.5x the price for a car if I wanted it in a ltd edition color and they removed the badge off the back.

But they do

Ever wanted a metallic red or napa leather seats? Color will add $800 to the price. You want napa leather - oh boy that's another $2700 option, oh and you can only get it with sports package

what about the M line of vehicles. Regular 550xi maxes out at about $75k but the M5 only starts at around $90k and goes up to well over $100k mark

 

[allaboutglass]

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

No! On the contrary, I'm delighted!

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

Mate...you're from, or at least live in Manchester! I rest my case on this one, the less said the better

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

and your point is???????

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

"Can't" being the very operative causing the angry, verbal diarrhea spewing from the annals of your socialists, distorted, idealisms.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing - but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

So according to you, rich people equal "bone-headed and stupid"? Well let me ask you how do you think they we became rich and successful if we are as you claim "bone-headed and stupid"? More to the point, if we are that "Bone-headed", how come we're rich and you're not?

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

--
'Besides, BOOOOKEHHHH is a quick, cheap-shot way for people who cannot compose
properly to con others into thinking they are the next Cartier Bresson'

aag

 

[allaboutglass]

Have you ever owned or used a Leica?

This is one of those retorts to posts that should be outlawed. Asking if someone has ever owned or used a Leica assumes that common sense is only gained from ownership or use.

Why? It is absolutely valid! How does one have the authority to comment on something that he or she has neither used nor owned?

Leica has always been overpriced... and that's before you get to their "collectors versions".

Overpriced by who's criteria? An item is worth whatever the perceived value is. To you it isn't worth it, to me it is! It really is as simple as that.

--
Jim Radcliffe
http://www.boxedlight.com
http://www.oceona.com

The ability to 'see' the shot is more important than the gear used to capture it.

--
'Besides, BOOOOKEHHHH is a quick, cheap-shot way for people who cannot compose
properly to con others into thinking they are the next Cartier Bresson'

aag

 

[allaboutglass]

Well, I am certainly NOT disgusted by that attitude anywhere near as much as I am disgusted by the culture of getting low income people addicted to junk food, by selling dreams and air to underpaid citizens by making them believe that their life would change. Somehow, I don't believe there is a single person that ever stayed hungry or cold because he bought a collectible Hermes, though many African babies died because a very famous international company gave them free milk powder and dried their nursing mother's breasts...

Loving where you're coming from Brother..keep it real

And yes, I am happy that Leica has this channel to get some extra budget and survive the rough economy and gadget culture. Shall I go on?

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing - but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

--
'Besides, BOOOOKEHHHH is a quick, cheap-shot way for people who cannot compose
properly to con others into thinking they are the next Cartier Bresson'

aag

 

[Pangloss]

Hi,

I stand corrected on the price - it does come with the 35mm 1.4 and a winder.

If I have used a Leica or not is irrelevant IMO - I am making a comment on the strategy of the company not if I like their cameras or not.

I believe a collector edition of the M7 with an approximate 100% premium is absolutely in line with the company strategy.

I can give you lots of similar "disgusting" examples: prices of luxury cars, luxury watches, soccer players salaries, etc.
--
Andrew
Enjoying my LX3!

 

[Darthvaderish1]

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing - but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

You must be board. Why not quit the forum chat and do something to straighten out humanity's morality?

 

[Paul Amyes]

They do it because Hermes is a part owner of the company and its lucrative to both of them. If you actually dig around you'll see that most of the camera makers do the same. Pentax, Nikon, Canon, Rollei I could go on and on. If you don't like it it is no skin off your nose. Many years ago I house sat for a geezer who had had all the toilet bowls in his house made out of solid gold, his wall paper was in the region of 1000 quid a meter. Some people have money to burn, its just chump change. Its the way its always been and the way it will always be.

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing - but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

 

[Foto Freak]

Outlawed? Get real Jim , worse comments have been posted on this website.
If my comment bothers you so much, you have two options. Ignore or complain.
If you ignore me , you won't be reading the praise for your excellant work.

 

[BRJR]

No, as they will sell like hotcakes; and, KR says even the Leica M9, is worth more than $7000.00 USA, in this partial quote from his website:

"LEICA M9: Five Figures

As I predicted, the LEICA M9, the world's best digital camera, is worth a lot more than its original asking price of $7,000.

Used ones are going for around $10,000 or more, like this one

( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120495550888&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2Fitems%2F%3F_nkw%3D120495550888%26_sacat%3D%26_ex_kw%3D%26_mPrRngCbx%3D1%26_udlo%3D%26_udhi%3D%26_sop%3D12%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_500wt_1182 )

still available on eBay. Since that auction closes on Thanksgiving when no one will be looking, you might be able to steal it for way under $12,000, if you're lucky."

--
BRJR ....(LOL, some of us are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

Is anybody else sickened by Leica's made-to-be-collectable release strategy and their absolute mickey-taking when it comes to pricing?

I refer of course to the visually disgusting and horrendously expensive bright orange Hermes special edition M7.

A brand new M7 in the UK is around £2,800. The new Hermes is £8,500. Yes, eight-and-a-half-grand. That is three times the price for a camera that by Leica's own admission is technically the same machine.

'Just don't buy it then' I hear you cry. Don't worry - I won't / can't / don't want to.

If collectors are rich and bone-headed enough to fork out these stupid prices for Leica's gimmicks with a view to cashing in on them in the future then that's one thing - but Leica as a company should be made to pay a large sum of their huge profits from these things to charity as it is clearly overkill and they are basically exploiting some (rich) people's stupidity by manufacturing their own collectables in such a shameless and sickening manner.

It will never happen, but one day when I am old I hope to be watching the Antiques Roadshow when someone brings on one of Lieca's "special editions" from a previous decade, only to be told that they are worth next to nothing due to a massive moral backlash in the early part of the 21st century against the greed of a company that just didn't know when to stop.

 

[omel]

If you ignore me , you won't be reading the praise for your excellent work............. now that is funny
--
http://www.imantskrumins.com/

http://www.etrouko.com.au/

http://www.iamparanoid.net