Re: FS: Leica M9 Titan Kit (new)
I definitely stay out of these debates, but a few observations. Going from memory, Leica's financial performance is running at (at least) 70% increase year over year top line, stock is up over 60% in the past year, and is an incredibly valuable brand. If there's one thing that's holding the share price back (from even further upside), it's the closely held nature of the ownership (and I think a multi-share class voting structure) which has an impact on breadth of ownership and strategic possibilities for the company. Luxury brands in general in Asia are in such high demand that companies like Porsche, BMW, LVMH, etc. are completely overhauling their corporate strategy. Porsches sell for significant premiums in China and there's a 2-3 year waitlist for a Cayenne for example. All things considered, Leica is quite well positioned in high growth markets and faces a very attractive supply/demand equation (barring a global sovereign debt crisis as global capital risk has shifted from private capital to public capital, which would of course impact discretionary spending...).
As to the Fuji X100, I love it and use it all the time. But it's a VERY different camera to a M9 and doesn't hold a candle to it IMO on IQ, etc. (I acknowledge better photographers - and most of you are - could get much more out of it than I, but with my skill level as a constant the IQ is in a different zip code to me). I have 4 fast moving kids, and during parties or events I love to have the movie mode and great aperture priority auto focus in a light form factor, but if I want photos to maximize my satisfaction on IQ I'll definitely have my M9+a favorite lens like the 50/.95, 35/1.4II, 35 cron v1, etc. around my neck. Can't go wrong with either of course! Amazing tools we are fortunate to have access to from Leica, Fuji, etc.