Leica's new shop in London

[Michael_C]

Haven't manage to track down an address for this. Does anyone know it, please?

[mark_jacobs]

It's here

[Michael_C]

Many thanks, Mark - couldn't see for looking!

[parisian]

I suspect that Leica know a bit more than they are letting on.
That shop in that place is a major investment as are the others that have opened around the world.
They really do expect the S2 and M9 to boost their fortunes and the introduction of the M9 could well be a much bigger death blow to film than any other single announcement.

[Benchista]

I think you're getting a wee bit carried away, Peter. I don't think that globally, the M9 has any more effect than a drop in the ocean on film - it's simply not going to sell in those sort of numbers. And I suspect for that matter that the majority of film isn't being shot currently by Leica users... For you personally, it may well be the case, of course. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the M9 - I would love one. But the significance of the camera on photography as a whole is going to be very much limited by price - and the same goes with knobs on for the S2. They may (and I hope and believe will) do extremely well in their intended markets, but they will always be niche products.

[Barney]

Indeed. By far the biggest markets for film are in the third world and developing nations such as India and China. No matter how good or cheap the M9 is, it would even touch these markets.

[parisian]

I think you're getting a wee bit carried away, Peter.

That may just possibly be the case
I, like you, would like one though. I just don't have enough grannies left to sell

[Barney]

I'm waiting until they bring one out with scene modes Peter.

[parisian]

Just a simple firmware update for the 'masters' Barney - oh yes, and a glue on 'scene' dial which will probably cost around £400

[Barney]

Bargain!

[parisian]

And they do it in black

[TimF]

Indeed. By far the biggest markets for film are in the third world and developing nations such as India and China. No matter how good or cheap the M9 is, it would even touch these markets.

A Chinese woman has been in the news this week after allegedly spending £360,000 on a pet dog, so don't write their spending power off too quick. I believe China has also become the biggest market for the highest priced French wines.

There are plenty of wealthy people out there who'd happily spend their cash on a Leica, and I'd guess the same applies to India (though perhaps on a lesser scale as yet). If you watched the webcast you'll surely have seen that China was one of the countries with a specified start time.

[Barney]

Indeed. By far the biggest markets for film are in the third world and developing nations such as India and China. No matter how good or cheap the M9 is, it would even touch these markets.

A Chinese woman has been in the news this week after allegedly spending £360,000 on a pet dog, so don't write their spending power off too quick. I believe China has also become the biggest market for the highest priced French wines.

There are plenty of wealthy people out there who'd happily spend their cash on a Leica, and I'd guess the same applies to India (though perhaps on a lesser scale as yet). If you watched the webcast you'll surely have seen that China was one of the countries with a specified start time.

You've got the wrong end of the stick Tim. There are plenty of wealthy people in both India and China, but that's irrelevent. It's the fact that there are so many not so wealthy people who still rely on film for their photography that the M9 release really won't make any difference to film sales.

[Zou]

I don't think anyone was saying that China is a poor market or won't buy the M9, rather that it remains a major major film market - maybe because they make some interesting cameras: Shen Hao large format, Zero pinholes, the 'Great Wall' MF SLR, and of course the humble Holga.

[Zou]

Drat, Barney's quick today. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[TimF]

Indeed. By far the biggest markets for film are in the third world and developing nations such as India and China. No matter how good or cheap the M9 is, it would even touch these markets.

A Chinese woman has been in the news this week after allegedly spending £360,000 on a pet dog, so don't write their spending power off too quick. I believe China has also become the biggest market for the highest priced French wines.

There are plenty of wealthy people out there who'd happily spend their cash on a Leica, and I'd guess the same applies to India (though perhaps on a lesser scale as yet). If you watched the webcast you'll surely have seen that China was one of the countries with a specified start time.

You've got the wrong end of the stick Tim. There are plenty of wealthy people in both India and China, but that's irrelevent. It's the fact that there are so many not so wealthy people who still rely on film for their photography that the M9 release really won't make any difference to film sales.

Dare I say that the average poorer member of society in either China or India is extremely unlikely to waste (and I use that term advisedly) any of what little money they do have on photography, whether on film or digital.

[moosedude]

I had a visit to the M9 store, *cough* *cough* I mean Leica store to have a quick look see. The staff were very pleasant and welcoming and they let me play with a few things. Its a tiny store but well worth a visit if in the area.