Have the Scarcity of Leica Lens ever happened before?

[isuperfish]

I have been looking for lux 35 or 50 recently but the price of them especially the new lux 35 is much higher above the MSRP.

I am wondering if the price will drop back some day or just keep on this level (or even higher), so I'd like to know if it has happened before and how it ended.

 

[250swb]

so I'd like to know if it has happened before and how it ended.

Between 1939 and 1945, but it ended well.

Steve

 

[kemal_mumcu]

My firsthand knowledge of living Leica history only goes back a few years. I remember when the M8 came out there was a huge demand for the 28mm and 35mm lenses. The summicrons of that focal length in particular were really scarce for a while. It was during the M8 era that the 50 Noctiluxes reached new heights (5000 for the old versions) But it never reached the proportions that this latest scarcity has reached.

I don't think anyone really knows where this will all end. But nothing lasts for ever. Still though, reality is that even the most spartan lens for a couple hundred bucks is good enough to keep me busy shooting for the next several years.

 

[jsrockit]

I think we are in a unique time. There have never been as many camera that can use Leica lenses as right now (all of the film cameras from the past plus many digital cameras). Also, Leica's gained popularity in countries it never had before. I can see Leica following used prices and adjusting its new lens prices accordingly.

 

[awslee]

From what I understand, they currently only have the capacity for 63 lens per day, plan to increase it to 240 by the end of the year. I think it will be scarce for a long time to come, not to mention M4/3 and NEX as well

 

[Pickett Wilson]

It's a new situation for Leica lenses. Until the convergence of digital, M4/3 cameras and a lot of folks with a lot of disposable income to pay silly prices for old lenses, Leica RFs and lenses languished for decades. Nobody wanted them.

 

[Dralowid]

A red scale LTM 50mm Elmar just hit £345 on Ebay UK.
Remarkable but madness too. I would have put it at £150-£175
OK so I know it is a nice lens but it is not that rare or special.
If prices are set to rise like this I will have a comfortable old age...but somehow I doubt it...

Michael

 

[tbarker13]

Between 1939 and 1945, but it ended well.

Steve

This made me smile.....

 

[jsrockit]

Leica RFs and lenses languished for decades. Nobody wanted them.

Huh? They've always been expensive vs. everything else as far as I can remember.

 

[Calzone]

Huh? They've always been expensive vs. everything else as far as I can remember.

I agree. Leica gear has always held a premium.

Some of the most recent price gains and current hoarding is because government policies all over the world promote policies of "cash is trash." Meanwhile "smart money" is buying hard assets.

Not certain that Leica glass is a hard asset, but history has shown that it maintains value beter than many other goods.

Cal

 

[isuperfish]

Then will can I order it online? I searched Leica's website to find local dealer but sadly there is no one nearby. Should I order them from the big website like B&H or some smaller dealers? I guess I can get them one day in the future.

 

[jsrockit]

You'd have to order it and wait.

 

[CameraQuest]

It's a new situation for Leica lenses. Until the convergence of digital, M4/3 cameras and a lot of folks with a lot of disposable income to pay silly prices for old lenses, Leica RFs and lenses languished for decades. Nobody wanted them.

total nonsense.

Stephen

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

It's a new situation for Leica lenses. Until the convergence of digital, M4/3 cameras and a lot of folks with a lot of disposable income to pay silly prices for old lenses, Leica RFs and lenses languished for decades. Nobody wanted them.

Truthiness asserts the darndest things.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Maybe those 30 years of attending camera buy/sell shows all over the country was only a dream. 🙂

 

[seakayaker1]

I have been looking for lux 35 or 50 recently but the price of them especially the new lux 35 is much higher above the MSRP.

I am wondering if the price will drop back some day or just keep on this level (or even higher), so I'd like to know if it has happened before and how it ended.

FWIW ~ I was able to purchase on-line at B&H new 50mm Summilux in Mid May. I believe it was random luck since I had been searching online for a while but they do pop up on occasion. I also had my name on a list at Adorama and at a Leica Dealer.

They do appear to be arriving in shops, so I would recommend locating a Leica Dealer in your region and being asked to be put on the list. At least you will then have taken a positive step in receiving the lens at list price.

Good luck with your search.