// The new Leica M Monochrom is listed on B&H website with an expected availability of August 28, 2012. The camera was initially set to start shipping in late July 2012. Related posts: Leica M Monochrom now shipping in Europe Top 10 LeicaRumors posts for August 2012 Third party Leica M-mount lens adapter for Fuji X-Pro1 to [...]"/>

Leica M Monochrom expected to start shipping on August 28, 2012

By LR admin | Published: August 5, 2012

The new Leica M Monochrom is listed on B&H website with an expected availability of August 28, 2012. The camera was initially set to start shipping in late July 2012.

Related posts:

  1. Leica M Monochrom now shipping in Europe
  2. Top 10 LeicaRumors posts for August 2012
  3. Third party Leica M-mount lens adapter for Fuji X-Pro1 to start shipping this month
  4. Two new Leica cameras at Photokina 2012
  5. LeicaRumors now on Facebook and Twitter

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  • nah

    Still with the same 1930s’ problems of course: no close focus, no teles, inaccurate focus out of the centre. Right? Plus some new bugs: silly prices, lousy electronics…
    I think I’ll pass.

  • MJr

    Imagine that, getting your Leica M9-M only AFTER the M10 is announced. I wonder how many will cancel.

  • Bryan Campbell

    The release of the M Monochrom would have been a great time to drop prices on all of their cameras. A $1000 cheaper M9, $1000 cheaper M9p and then the Monochrome same price as the M9p.

  • http://LR Chris Sellers

    I shake my head in utter disbelief and dismay – how on earth can Leica, producer of such wonderful optics, marry those optics to such mediocre and – yes! – downright out-dated – camera bodies? We are not all self – flagellists when it comes to photography. Simplicity – yes! Downright difficulty in taking and reviewing photographs, across the board – NO! It is simply stupid and quite unnecessary these days to accept these manifest difficulties (focus. callibration, image review, buffering speed etc) when all around us we see quite compatible and very acceptable electronic technology originating from Japan.

    Leica “purists” will, no doubt, cringe at the mention of a decent rear screen with which to review images in real time – I would say to them that they should remember that this IS a digital camera – to join the digital masses, those scoffers should accept that if they deign to use a digital Leica, then they should understand and accept the obvious benefits of digital, in terms of focus review, dynamic range etc; those features were neither possible nor necessary in the days of film but, if Leica presumes to enter (and compete (??!!) in the world of digital photography, then that company should accept that their camera bodies should offer many of the excellent and very useful features of a mainstream digital body – regardless of the legacy, pedigree and cachet of the Leica name.

    • Roger Daht

      +9000

    • camerageeklayer

      The LCD might be outdated but the sensor is one of a kind. I think that is what this camera is about. That combined with the ability of pairing it with M lenses of course. It’s been pointed out that the M10 will have a much better screen but in terms of the Monochrome I think there are many that could care less about the screen most likely because they would rather have no screen at all.

  • http://believeinfilm.com gordon

    I don’t really get why you’d want a monochrome only Leica but I also don’t understand why Leica’s products command such a premium?

    • http://haroldellis4444@gmail.com Harold Ellis

      those cameras are not really used. M9-M is perfect if you want to outhipster your hipster friend. you know, like, that you are an artist or so.

      photographers using leicas (like, really using them) are still on old film bodies (which were decent) and never upgraded, or just talking leica in hobby time and shooting canon in business time.

      • Camerageekslayer

        There you go again Harold saying sh!t just to say it even though it’s completely wrong in every sense of the word. There are a lot of great photographers who will buy and use that camera and take amazing images even with its small LCD. Will there be some rich guy wearing it as jewelry..yeah maybe a few… but why don’t we concentrate on the majority that will use it and get great joy from it? Or does that get in the way of your all negative outlook?

        Drop the act and go to the forum from wence you came.

        • http://haroldellis4444@gmail.com Harold Ellis

          if you would remember good old leica, you would understand.
          you are too young.
          and there are of course few good photographers using and buying it, maybe two, or three. It is such a minority only because leica chose the path to leave their mission they shaped many years ago and became luxurious jewelery makers not photographer’s dream tool makers.

          • Camerageekslayer

            I’ve shot with a Leica lllG, M3, M5, M4-P, M6, M8, M9 and X1. So I know what I’m talking about. If only 2 people get to shoot with the Monichrome they are pretty lucky because I’ll bet it will take awesome pictures just like every other camera they’ve made. Could you refresh my memory on what Leica is supposed to be doing instead of coming out with cameras that people take great photos with?

          • Camerageekslayer

            I’d also like to point out to the forum moderators that if you click on Harold’s name you get a warning from Google that it is a suspected phishing site. I went ahead and clicked anyways and I can confirm it is a phishing site that prompts you to enter your google infor. I’ll no longer be responding to Harold because it’s obvious he is trying to lure people into clicking on his link. I urge the moderators to block his IP

          • http://www.flickr.com/genotypewriter genotypewriter

            @Camerageekslayer

            “I’ve shot with a Leica lllG, M3, M5, M4-P, M6, M8, M9 and X1. So I know what I’m talking about.”

            No you don’t… claiming that you know something just because you tried a bunch of 35mm film RFs which are essentially identical to each other as far as photography goes, says that you get caught up in little details and miss the big picture. At least you had a conscience to try the X1 without believing that M9 or M8 are the greatest things out there.

            I’d also like to point out to the forum moderators that if you click on Harold’s name you get a warning from Google that it is a suspected phishing site.

            Anything that you type in to the “website” field when you’re filling the comment form gets interpreted as a website URL by this blog. Quite a number of people enter random junk in to that field, possibly to have their name underlined (as links are typically underlined). So it’s a limitation of this blog’s management software for not recognising non-existent websites. At the same time, it’s also a limitation of your knowledge of computers because you should take caution when clicking random links on web pages. It’s always a good practice to keep the mouse over a link to see what the target URL is before you actually jump in to it head first.

          • camerageekslayer

            What is your point Geno? Are you saying you agree with Harold and his assertion the Monochrome will only be used by “hipsters” as a piece of jewelry or do you just get off on tearing people down?

            I own a X1, M6 & M8. My hobby is researching Leicas and other cameras that I find interesting. Right now I’m actually shooting with the X Pro 1 with M lenses and have found it to be very enjoyable. That is the extent of it. There is no big or little picture, I just enjoy these cameras and I like talking to others who enjoy cameras.

            I also like hear opposing viewpoints from people like Chris Sellers (top of the comment section) because they are actually using facts and logic in their argument. What I don’t get is the people like Harold who come on here and do nothing but spread negativity and misinformation. They trash Leicas current offerings as being completely out of touch with Leicas past but then never give answers as to what the company should be doing differently. I don’t get it. It’s not like they don’t make film cameras anymore…quite the opposite. So you can trash me all you want ( I actually know how to hover over a link) but I’ll always point out these people in hopes that they will someday go away or at the very least offer some solid conversation.

          • http://genotypewritings.blogspot.com genotypewriter

            @camerageekslayer

            Photographers have a right to ridicule Leica for their recent decisions and it’s fair. Most things Leica has done in the recent past indicate that they’re trying to make jewelry that can also take photos… and there certainly is nothing wrong with that but saying that the prices of their cameras are justified by the image quality and the build quality is an insult to people who know about cameras and the subject.

            I don’t think I, Harold or people are obliged to give alternative suggestions to Leica… we are already doing them a favour by voicing our opinion. It’s Leica who’s choosing to ignore the general photography enthusiast and instead trying to milk money from those who want to buy alternative jewelry.

          • Camerageekslayer

            @geno

            So your main complaint is that it’s expensive? It is expensive. I can’t afford the new Summicron or the Monochrome but I couldn’t afford a M7 9 years ago either. We’re you on the fledgling Internet back then complaining about that variation on AOL chat? Or how about 20 years ago? The M6 was expensive as f#%ck when it came out, did you write to Wetzlar and voice your displeasure with them?

            I just don’t get the point. The lenses are getting better and better and they are in fact the best. Everything in this world that is the best cost $$$. Is the M9 the best? That’s definitely arguable. I f you want a digital rangefinder it is, otherwise no.

            Leica has always catered to both the rich and the photographer and it’s a fine fine line that they have almost fallen off before, most notabley in the 80′s & 90′s (Danish Royal Wedding Edition M6 anyone?)

            If you want to point out this stuff and talk about it that’s cool. I just don’t understand where your coming from. It seems like your argument is based in envy to be honest. It’s the “I’m mad but I’m not going to tell you why I’m mad” routine. Your not happy with Leica, you call it jewelry but then you don’t have any suggestions to offer? What is that? Do you shoot with Leicas? I shoot with Leicas…all the time..I love it..it’s awesome. I saved up for mine and has brought me great pleasure. If its jewelry then it’s one scuffed and beaten up pendant that I use the fu@k out of.

            I may not be able to afford the new stuff right now, but I’ll save up and someday I’ll get it. Just like that M7 I couldn’t afford 9 years ago.

          • http://genotypewritings.blogspot.com genotypewriter

            @Camerageekslayer

            To re-iterate for the sake of staying on-topic, what I’m trying to explain is how Leica is making junk and calling the stuff the holy grail. It’s like you’re a mechanic, you walk in to a shop to buy a screwdriver and see one that’s 10x the price, has its handle lined with the pope’s hat and claims to be the best screwdriver.

            It doesn’t matter what anyone has done in the past. These are not the dark ages of photography anymore (although you go to a place like dpreview forums and you’d scratch your head on that matter the whole time you’re there) and it’s not about what a bunch of old bearded fools who memorised lens catalogues and Ansell Adams books think. Leica needs to deliver what they promise over other cameras… otherwise they’re just like jewelry.

  • Zeek

    We received two these this afternoon and they have already been sold. I agree with most of the comments about the screen but the bw shots blow the d800e out of the water in terms of greyscale and high contrast shots. I could never justify the purchase of anything leica but there is definitely a market for it and I’m willing to take our customers money

  • W1LDC4RD

    Most of the comments here are typical of people who haven’t ever shot leica’s and are simply jealous that they never will. The only other B+W only digital camera is a PhaseOne, the back alone is about $40,000. I know it’s medium format, but really, does the M Monochrom seem so expensive now? You will pay more for a product that is made in Germany than something made in Thailand. Also, CCD sensors cost more than CMOS sensors. I find it ridiculous that people say the same old shit about them being too expensive. I don’t have a great job, I’m by no means rich, hell, I’m barely middle class, but I work hard, save money and buy things I want (M9), others will spend money on other things that make them happy (cars, etc.) I couldn’t justify that. Each to their own, enjoy your plastic slr (I use one for most of my work, not bagging out slrs), and I’ll enjoy my rangefinders.

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