Being a Leica M user, for a bit more than a year with the Leica M9, I’ve been invited by Foto Riesel in Sydney for the launch of the newly announced Leica M Monochrom. The event is announced to be an exciting one for a quadruple reasons: First the launch of the Leica M Monochrom. Secondly, the new Leica M 50mm APO Summicron lens and of course, than a brief presentation of the very anticipated and rare Leica Hermes Limited Edition (this is an MSRP $50K package with dealers announcing more than $60K for very special order). There will be only 300 units made and there is no doubt that prices will hit the roof with demands from collectiors and .. Leica lovers.

The fourth exciting reason being that Seal, from The Voice himself will be joining the party being Leica Ambassador.

I missed APPA due to a destination wedding overseas but had no intention to miss this one. Of course I had to show up with my own gear and a spare SD card in my pocket. Who knows.

The night is to begin with a red carpet in front of the FotoRiesel retail shop front by 6:30PM. Needless to say that I was up to Sydney, from Canberra, the day before.

From 6PM people wearing straps with a red dot started showing up and a small crowd started to form. People exchange names and started talking and showing off their beloved image boxes (with the red dots, or not). During the time spent in front of the shop waiting for the doors to open, I met with a few street photographers and exchanged our details. I will try to catch up with these guys in a near future to set up some walk and shoot sessions somewhere in Australia.

When the doors opened, the two ladies in front of the shop held in heir hands a precious piece of paper. That was the kind of paper that you WANT to have your name written on it. I was the first one to enter the shop.

Inside, some Very Important Persons were already having drinks and chatting but the window where the event was about was still covered by a black fabric waiting to be revealed. And no sight of Seal around yet. That was a bit expected.

I started wandering around and shook some hands. I was very surprise how it was easy to start a chat with people like the shop owner (well .. yeah), the Leica Australia person and even the General Manager of Leica Asia Pacific…These are real people and very humble and approachable .. Wow.

Wine and bubbles started to flow and food being served, I thought I’d direct myself to the front door and wait the for the special guest, Seal. On my way out there, I noticed that he was already there and started socialising .. Wow, how awesome is that? The ambiance was very relax and there was no frenzie with young groupies yelling and pulling their clothes off and showing banners … That was .. still cool.

I snapped a few shots of the most charismatic judge of The Voice and continue shaking some hands, appreciating some good wines and food than they had to make it official.

During the ceremony I snapped a few shots but also a couple of video sequences from my iPhones (4 and 4s). I am putting together a small montage to show you a bit the insight and philosophy of what is a Leica user, by Seal, and why is Leica the way it is and will always be.Video coming soon. Check back this space often.

Like I said, I met some people, shook some hands but I also put in some orders. Needless to say that the queue is long.

 

Red carpet at FotoRiesel for the launch of the Leica M Monochrom and the Leica M 50mm APO Summicron

 

 

Leica talks and Noctilux ASPH with Haoming

 

The precious guest list

 

Leica Lens talk

 

Leica models

 

GM Leica AP in a chat with a guest

 

Leica M and glasses

 

The Voice .. no .. The zen and charismatic Seal

 

Formalities between FotoRiesel, Leica AP and Leica Australia

 

Leica guest with a Leica S2

 

Leica talk

 

Show run by Seal

 

Seal sent through a selections of his photographs, taken with the Leica M systems, for display at the launch

 

Seal talks about his photographs on display at the launch

 

 

Seal and Sian, his assistant on The Voice

 

Colin of FotoRiesel

 

Leica Australia

 

Seal, Leica Ambassador

 

GM Leica Asia Pacific

 

 

 

Seal talks about the Leica system and particularly the Leica M

 

Seal checking out an image on the back of a Leica S2 of one of the Leica guests

 

The fierce Leica Hermes (Limited) Edition, sitting next to the Leica M Monochrom recently announced. This Monochrom is carrying the serial number M 007

 

I have the chance, through my job, to photographs a lot of celebrities but never felt the need to have a photo taken with them. With Seal, it was a completely different kind of story. Thanks to LensTalk for this image

 

Seal signing his photographs. Words are these images may be auctioned for charity

 

 

 

 

The Leica M Monochrom sitting next to the very rare Leica M Hermes (Limited) Edition

 

Yes, I had the chance to play and shoot with the Leica M Hermes (Limited) Edition. Remember when I said I brought along a spare SD card ..?

 

Leica photo shoot during the after party. It’s always good to be the last to leave

 

 

 

Although I get to play with the very rare Leica M Hermes (Limited) Edition and a Leica S2, I didn’t have the chance to play with the newly announced Leica M 50mm APO Summciron, reason being .. Seal left the store with it on his Leica M Monochrom. It’s one of the privileges of being a Leica Ambassador, isn’t it..?

 

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