Leica M10 Launch Event & Hands-On

I spent the day visiting Wetzlar for Leica's "A Celebration of Photography" event where the company honored Joel Meyerowitz for his lifework with a Leica Hall of Fame award. Leica also used the opportunity to introduce its new Leica M10 camera that will be available as of January 19, 2017.

Take a look at my impressions from the launch event. I edited for quick publishing so please excuse small glitches here and there. But hey, I am probably the only one who managed to publish a video only six hours after the event ended. :)

Music:

[mickb]

The most expensive toy store!!! And I completely agree with you about the "gear over art" mentality that seems to be growing in the photography community. Thankfully, there is still a group of people who are passionate about the experience of creativity and there are so many fantastic ways in modern times to connect with these people. Instagram and youtube have really helped me interact with other artists who are willing to share their knowledge and love for the craft, such as this channel and all of its wonderful content. Thanks!!!!

[vangstr]

Thank you for sharing this opening. Yes, I understand how you felt and wish it was more about the artist but this is about a new camera release press. That is why there are galleries for artist where gear is rarely mentioned but simply artwork. Thanks again.

[douggottlieb]

Joel Meyerowitz is both a brilliant photographer AND a superb speaker. What a missed opportunity for anyone who rushed off to see the gear when the true legend was right in front of them. Come home and speak in NYC Joel!

[dhirajshetty]

this is definitely a true to heart yes for many it's all about the gear then there are folks like us who love the RZ & it's brethren :)

[rosemanbridge]

Sold all my Leica gear which paid for a 4 month trip around the world and a complete Fuji X system which is so much quieter, lighter and discreet. The 12 month turnaround for cracked Leica sensors is also a fault which plagued both the M9 and now the M10.

[sunnywinds]

Well done!
Arriving is true Reporting.
Love this.

[jl]

Woh this had a feeling of some sort of underground documentary about the wealthy and material obsession. Well done, though now I'm feeling a bit depressed

[jameselliottphoto]

What an amazing experience! And I get what you are saying about the feeling of gear over art. Leica makes it very clear that their business comes first and unfortunately their job is not to supply every photographer with a leica camera haha but maybe when the price drops in a few years it will be a great digital option :) Great video!

[leukostad]

Expensive gathering. Those Leicas look very nice but I'm more interested in their film cameras. I can relate to what you're saying in the end of the video (video editing note: the music is fine, but a bit to loud compared to your voice... but on the other hand you mentioned the quick editing). An earlier Leica M series (M3 or 4) is more appealing I think, although cheaper equipment will also do the job just fine... but I almost feel embarrassed to say that since I also own a Hasselblad V-system. To me your videos are a pleasure to watch, the camera reviews cover a broad spectrum from dirt cheap (The Agfa stuff) to really expensive cameras. The Agfa Optima 1035 video is what brought me to your channel, that's a camera which gives you real value for money.

[DreKC]

Cool to get an inside look of the event. Bummer that people weren't more respectful towards Mr. Meyerowitz and Mr. Stuart.

[MrPhotographerDude]

I'll buy one in a few years. It's exactly the type of camera I enjoy shooting the most. Enjoyment to me is the only real reason to do photography.

[Risa]

Beautiful video. Finally it's the M10 the "decisive" Leica M camera eheh I need one ;)

[daygon]

I am just seeing this video and am new to your channel. Your observations at the end reflect my opinion I've had for the Leica consumer for many years. I say this with all due respect for Leica, because their M model cameras are arguably the best looking cameras ever made. However I have never seen a consumer base so obsessed over gear than that of Leica, with one exception being the modern Fujifilm X cameras. Nearly every notable photographer that I know that uses both brands take more photos of their cameras with their phones than photos with their cameras, literally. I try not to let it distance me from these great cameras, as I own both brands, but every time I see someone with one I instantly get a feeling of pretentiousness and garishness. I think it's about the same as buying a Rolex Submariner without ever diving with it.

[MrPhotographerDude]

The focus was on the art of camera making. That's what Leica does by the way. They make cameras so that others can make art.

[RohamBroccoli]

Sometimes the way grown people behave in relation to the photo gear is completely incomprehensible to me. In addition, it feels like Photography is not about photography longer but rather equipment. But anyway, hope your trip was worthwhile and you had a great time.

[AlGreenLightThroughGlass]

Joel Meyerowitz was one of the first photographers whose colour work (Californian swimming pool) inspired me. Before Joel I only liked B&W.

[MarsViolet]

Makes sense to me that, at a major product launch, the focus would be on the products.

[barrycohen]

"People carried Leicas like jewelry..." lol Sad, but there is a lot of truth to that. It's as if some people buy them for fashion accessories. Hermes editions and all that. I am a fan of Leica, but that stuff is just ridiculous.

[carstenh.schouler]

I think you're right when you say that many acted disrespectfully. Dr. Kaufmann even had to ask for a little more attention. Otherwise it was a great Event.

[Mister_Milchreis]

Cool, dass wir uns gestern kurz kennengelernt haben. Ich denke so wirklich wohl haben wir uns beide nicht gefühlt. Dafür liebe ich die analoge Fotografie und meine M6 zu sehr ;) Das kann ich zumindest für meinen Teil sagen. Die Häppchen waren aber lecker oder? Mach weiter so mit deinem Kanal lieber Max!