After selling his Leica M in favour of the new Sony A7s, Steve Huff has now splashed out on not one M but two. In this video, published on his site, he gives you a good overview of both his new M-P and the handsome chrome version of the Monochrom. Very lustworthy cameras, I have to say. I know one or two friends who are saving their pennies as I write.
I have the original black Monochrom, which I still love—I often say it is the best camera I have every owned—and, while the chrome version is gorgeous, I think I’ll stay with the original. Whenever I buy a Leica I look at both the chrome and the black versions and inevitably I settle on the black. There is also a certain practicality in the black in that it looks best with black lenses. The chrome version begs for a chrome lens and, as I found with the 50mm Summilux, the chrome versions are very heavy.
As for the M-P, I would certainly go for it if I were buying an M now. But it doesn’t make much sense to make a change at this stage. It’s cheaper to stick on some black tape and hold out for the next M in 2015 or 2016. This won’t stop me from checking out Leica’s recently announced part exchange scheme, but I have a sneaking suspicion the sums won’t be impressive enough to tempt.
Steve Huff must have bought and sold the Leica M at least three times and, unless I’m much mistaken, this is his second M. He must be getting some big discounts from those dealers he supports.
I’m not at all sure, Mark. But I do know that Steve’s enthusiasm–some say over enthusiasm–sells a lot of cameras. I wouldn’t mind betting that a review on the Huff site is worth more than one in any number of photo magazines around the world. He certainly has a lot of interest. When he enthuses, people buy. When he condemns they stay away from that particular camera like the plague. So if he has a few perks I don’t mind. He deserves them.
Leica announced a across the board price rise from September 1st. So the new M240-P comes in now at £5650, The Mono is £5975, and the M240 £4799, but am not sure if these quoted prices are as per August? I.E. Before or after the latest price rise or after but for many of us I suspect it will be a irrelevance as all in my view at least are vastly overpriced compared to several other high spec full frame systems currently on the market. Sorry to leave Leica but it just does not make sense to pay those sort of prices anymore. Don Morley
Don, I haven’t heard of a UK price increase for September 1 but I have seen the US increase from that date–I assumed it was caused by currency problems and that the UK wasn’t involved. However, the prices you quote are strange. The original (and current as far as I am aware) prices for the three cameras are:
M £5,200
MM £6,200
M-P £5,650
So your quoted prices are actually lower than the current list prices. I hope you are right!
Have you seen the latest price hikes? Am afraid saving pennies will no longer be enough! Certainly not for me in future despite my being a avid Leica buyer and user for something like 60 years, and not I hasten to add because I can no longer afford but sadly now because I no longer think any of the ‘M’ versions are worth the latest asking prices. Don Morley
Don. I saw Steve’s reference to the $300 hike in the M but as yet I have not heard of any increases here. It could simply be an issue of currency fluctuations because the dollar has been weak whereas the pound has been exceptionally strong (until last week). This has possibly warded off increases here for a time. But no doubt there are some in the pipeline.