Another Leica Email

[Timmyjoe]

I think Leica keeps sending me emails so they can guarantee I never buy another product from them again.

After my being put off by the "Some People Say . . ." line last week, I got this one today. They would like me to spend $6500 on a lens so I can make images like this:

I almost fell on the floor laughing. Now I'm as guilty as the next when it comes to missing focus from time to time, but come on, they want me to pay $6500 so that none of my photos will be more in focus than this?

Now before anyone gets their shorts in a bunch, I'm sure there is a market for someone who would like to make pictures like this. I think Leica just wants to make sure that I know, it's not me.

Best,
-Tim

 

[rfaspen]

This has been discussed elsewhere here on RFF and beyond.

I think consensus is the lens is mostly a novelty item for some Leica customers (who have means for such things), and an actual useful lens for a rather small number of photographers, and a head-scratcher for most of the rest of us.

One point made repeatedly: Kind of fun that Leica is willing to "re-issue" interesting lenses. Sure, its way expensive for most of us, and this particular lens doesn't offer something most of us want/need. But, still kind of warms the heart. Leica re-issued their old 28/5.6, and now the Thambar.....I wonder what's next? Possibly something I would actually be interested in. It would likely still be pretty darn expensive for me and my income level...

Some people say there's a market for older lenses (lens designs) with certain characteristics. 🙂

 

[Ko.Fe.]

You are biting old horse in new skin, which is well alive and kicking.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163390

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/279589-thambar-crazy/

 

[icebear]

There is a really useful feature in most of these marketing campaign e-mails:
It's called the "UNSUBSCRIBE BUTTON" 😀

 

[BillBingham2]

When I look at the picture part of me wants to figure out how many Nikon Soft Focus 2 filters in 52mm would that buy, another part of me wants me to get up off the floor and stop laughing before someone sees me.

There's a lid for every pot, thank God for the internet and low cost world wide marketing.

B2 (;->

 

[zuiko85]

Tim, I can rig you up a +10 in a focusing mount that looks about the same. The parts (from China) run less than $50! Can you mount a M42 lens to your SLR?

PS; Before you Leica folks jump on me. Yes, I well know it not near the same. The Thambar is sharp/soft, lots of detail with a halo glow. The single element +10 (100 mm) is just plain soft.

 

[zuiko85]

Leica re-issued their old 28/5.6, and now the Thambar.....I wonder what's next? Possibly something I would actually be interested in. It would likely still be pretty darn expensive for me and my income level...

Some people say there's a market for older lenses (lens designs) with certain characteristics. 🙂

Not that I want one but, since that 28mm f5.6 was announced I have never, NEVER EVER, seen one listed as 'in stock'. Maybe it means nothing but B&H has had that lens listed as "new item-coming soon" for over a year.

 

[ptpdprinter]

I think they are going to just reissue novelty lenses so as to not impinge on their bread and butter Summilux, Summicron, and Elmarit lines. So expect them all to be low volume, hideously expensive, and attractive primarily to collectors. Head-shakers in other words.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I figure I can pick up a Nikon non-AI 85mm f1.8 (for about $80), slap on an old L37 clear filter (about a buck), lather it up with some Vaseline (about 50¢), and bam, same optical quality.

It just cracks me up that Leica would put that image prominently in an email that they think will get folks excited to spend $6500 on this lens.

Again, I guess I'm no longer a Leica target customer.

Best,
-Tim

 

[ptpdprinter]

I think I could do one portfolio of about thirty images and then sell the lens on. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

 

[johannielscom]

Tim,

why not just ditch the brand and their emails altogether? There's a whole waddle of great cameras and manufacturers out there that can satisfy your every photographic need without requiring a kidney to purchase or a cardiac arrest from annoyance...

I'm shooting a Sony A7 in manual mode and 5 brilliant Canon FD lenses for less than half a digital Leica body and no stupid emails either. Just sayin'.

 

[Timmyjoe]

I'm shooting a Sony A7 in manual mode and 5 brilliant Canon FD lenses for less than half a digital Leica body and no stupid emails either. Just sayin'.

What Canon FD lenses are you using. Had the 50mm f1.2L and the 85mm f1.2L in my stable back when I shot the Canon F1.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Bille]

Again, I guess I'm no longer a Leica target customer.

Depends... what was the last Leica product you purchased new?

Concerning the Thambar, my conclusion is this lens is solely about bragging rights. There is no photographic purpose to it.

 

[Beemermark]

I think Leica keeps sending me emails so they can guarantee I never buy another product from them again.-Tim

Right click on the email, pick "junk" from the drop down list and then "block sender".

Now go take some pictures.