Ah Michael,
You should visit the Leica forum's reaction to your article, more than here.
How big are you enlarging your M9 images?
Said another way, I know you sell very large prints. How large are you willing to go with the M9?
Sure the P65+ is the max but for a much heavier load.
When you get the P65+ back, and have a choice of what to carry, how often will you take the heavier kit?
10% 50% what do you think?
Such reactions always happen, specially in communities. Remember the hostile reactions when Michael reviewed the Pentax K7 ?
I'm also a Pentax user and didn't buy the K7 because I came exactly to the same conclusions as Michael. Instead, I upgrade with
a KX, cheap entry-level camera that actually delivers better pictures quality and is more fun to use...
Communities have no free minds (like football supporters), Michael has, and that is why I like and trust his reviews or comments in TLL.
I think he might have had good reasons to put online such a letter, and looking in Leica website recently, it didn't take too long to smell
something is wrong: when marketing department starts to sell golden M8, or the China's revolution model...
They may want to exploit their image for some Emirates clients, as you would buy a vintage Bordeaux wine for ten
thousand dollars. OK, they have the right to do it,
they are the only ones who can do it, but it smells the beginning of a decadence.
Quite frankly, a debate about Leica's future in photography and for photographers seems to me more healthy than "diamonds M"
for rich collectors wifes. A little bit more of this marketing and we will see Leica gear in satin box with fois-gras and champagne.
It won't surprise me at all if it would happen soon or later. Seriously,
I hope Leica will take in considerations the points in Michael letter and will hear the voice of users in the benefit of all.
Fred.