What markup?

A Nikon F6 that uses electronic parts from a digital camera from 2004, retails at what, $2600? The M-A is a little less than twice that. But; combined with the D2X, I think it's safe to say that the F6 has the larger economies of scale - not to mention, there are fewer parts to hand-assemble or calibrate and the labor is in Japan; not Portugal and Germany. So the price is not unreasonable for what it is.

So yeah. The M-A is only the best Leica if you want an M4-P which is harder to use but has a prettier film dial. There's nothing uniquely special about it. Buy an M4-P and you have a functionally identical camera (with some slight, mostly meaningless tweaks to the optics for less flare). Is it "parts bin?" Only in the sense that every Leica since the M2 is - they're all designed to be more or less interchangeable with the M3. That's a good thing. The M-A is no better or worse than any camera since the M3. It is slightly different, and those differences will appeal to some people and not others.

Being a fashion and portrait photographer would justify an RB67. Maybe a Hasselblad, if you start hitting major covers. It doesn't justify a Leica M, because the Leica M isn't really that great of a camera for fashion work. Sure, you can use it. But if no-one else really does, then maybe there is a reason for that.

This is a vanity purchase. It's a status symbol. It's like a Rolex, or a Ferrari, or an Armani suit. If you want it and can't really spare the cash, but buy it anyway? Yeah. You're completely stupid, and I hope whoever buys it at the auction really enjoys it, because they'll get a great deal. If you can blow this cash without worrying about it? Why worry about it?

You can't be that impulsive if you haven't bought it in the 34 days since you last told us you were buying one. You know the pro's, you know the cons. You know your finances and you know what you could get for considerably less. It's time to go see the wizard - you can ask for some brains, or you can ask for some courage - but either way - make the call.

Maybe I should ask for some heart? But I'm a little annoyed by this post, because when you were asking for lens advice all those weeks ago - you were completely happy with this decision and didn't want to have your mind changed. I don't like to have my time wasted.