Any news of new VC lenses for Leica

ddimaria

ddimaria

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Both the 28/1.9 and the 35/1.7 are now discontinued. Has anyone heard anything about Cosina's plans on whether or not they will be updated?
 
I would like to see a coupled LTM 18/4 with a formula very similar to the current ZM but slightly smaller and if it has to be a f/4.5 then I can live with that.
 
I would like to see a coupled LTM 18/4 with a formula very similar to the current ZM but slightly smaller and if it has to be a f/4.5 then I can live with that.
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A prototype of this lens was made and was said to go into production but the Ikon project took over and it never came about. It looked like the 21, 25 and 35mm Skopars. With the Zeiss 18 now on the market I dont think Cosina will bring out a rival too it. Cosina plays its cards wisely and tries to fill niches were no one else fills so there is room for everyone.
 
I suspect, in some ways, Cosina will not compete directly against Zeiss in all focal lengths. I think this goes not only for M lenses, but also the F and K SLR lenses they make for Zeiss. The SL lenses are very highly thought of, but the first series was discontinued about the time Zeiss introduced their F lenses, and the SLII lenses are of unique focal lengths.

I am hopeful we will see replacements to the M Ultrons, but business is business. If they were not as popular or profitable as the Skopars perhaps Cosina will see a greater return simply being an OEM manufacturer for the ZM 28 and 35 than their brand lenses could realize.

A cold hard world.
 
Off topic - but Mr. K has begun to release AI-P lenses in the Nikon F mount, which are chipped to allow for in-camera metering on Nikon's low-end of DSLR's. I'm hoping that becomes profitable for Cosina as well.
 
rover said:
I suspect, in some ways, Cosina will not compete directly against Zeiss in all focal lengths. I think this goes not only for M lenses, but also the F and K SLR lenses they make for Zeiss. The SL lenses are very highly thought of, but the first series was discontinued about the time Zeiss introduced their F lenses, and the SLII lenses are of unique focal lengths.

I am hopeful we will see replacements to the M Ultrons, but business is business. If they were not as popular or profitable as the Skopars perhaps Cosina will see a greater return simply being an OEM manufacturer for the ZM 28 and 35 than their brand lenses could realize.

A cold hard world.
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Sadly that’s probably true, it’s probably too romantic a notion, but it would be nice if manufactures had the pride and commitment to make something special now and again.
I would like to think lenses like the 35 f1.2 and the 12mm were the product of someone’s passions, not simply a “cost recovery plus” exercise
 
cmogi10 said:
CV has just announced a 50/1.0 for 1800
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Available mounts will be Steinheil Casca II and Bell & Howell Foton only. A version for Kodak Ektra is rumored for 2009.
 
Sparrow said:
Sadly that’s probably true, it’s probably too romantic a notion, but it would be nice if manufactures had the pride and commitment to make something special now and again.
I would like to think lenses like the 35 f1.2 and the 12mm were the product of someone’s passions, not simply a “cost recovery plus” exercise
Click to expand...

Actually, I think Mr K is serving his passion and the 35 Nokton and 12mm are his romantic niche and will continue. It is the more mainstream products like the 35 Ultron where he has strong competition, and an alternate product to produce (the ZM) where he has to make business decisions. Lets face it, the 35mm focal length is the bread and butter of RF photography, or at least as big of one as 50mm, and the Skopar is an excellent lens. Does he need to produce the 35 Ultron, or does a singular 35mm answer produce more return with less risk? The 28 Ultron is a unique combo of price, performance and speed. Is its size though a necessary "flaw" to produce that bang for the buck benefit, and if so, is the size a fatal flaw? A flaw which limits the market to the point that not enough demand exist to match the minimum acceptable supply level to meet a margin.

Who knows? Now that I opened my mouth let's hope an announcement shortly follows to prove me a fool.
 
Well I wouldnt count cosina out yet, I have a feeling that 2008 will be an interesting year yet for them and us and that Mr K has something up his sleeve that will please some of us. Now if he would only lower his prices on those new 40 f2's and the 58 1.4, they are more pricey then the zeiss 50 lens and thats a hard egg to sell.
 
CV has just announced a 50/1.0 for 1800.....
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.... and it's tested by Reid Reviews and found to best the Noctilux in every measurable peformance parameter. Still, Camera Quest reduces the price to $1,200 within months, and Hong Kong auction sites are selling it for less than $1,000.

Attracted by the bargain prices, members of the RFF sell off their FSU lenses and Franklin Mint collectibles to raise funds and snap up the CV lens. The posted pics reveal a lens that is a marvel of modern engineering: Shockingly sharp wide open, absolutely free from flare, and no nausea-inducing 'bokeh.' Still, the Noctilux-club remains unconvinced. They give up posting pics and start using language normally heard only at wine-tastings to describe what makes the Noctilux special.

Voigtlander-Cosina goes bankrupt shortly thereafter. Leica raises the MSRP of the Noctiliux to $11,789 and sells out in 10 minutes.
 
kevin m said:
.... and it's tested by Reid Reviews and found to best the Noctilux in every measurable peformance parameter. Still, Camera Quest reduces the price to $1,200 within months, and Hong Kong auction sites are selling it for less than $1,000.

Attracted by the bargain prices, members of the RFF sell off their FSU lenses and Franklin Mint collectibles to raise funds and snap up the CV lens. The posted pics reveal a lens that is a marvel of modern engineering: Shockingly sharp wide open, absolutely free from flare, and no nausea-inducing 'bokeh.' Still, the Noctilux-club remains unconvinced. They give up posting pics and start using language normally heard only at wine-tastings to describe what makes the Noctilux special.

Voigtlander-Cosina goes bankrupt shortly thereafter. Leica raises the MSRP of the Noctiliux to $11,789 and sells out in 10 minutes.
Click to expand...

That’s coming perilously close to humour,……….. and you know where that leads

edit

He jested
 
... all this talk about lenses costing thousands of dollars ...

And all I ask is a Summar... (sigh)


😀
 
ddimaria said:
Both the 28/1.9 and the 35/1.7 are now discontinued. Has anyone heard anything about Cosina's plans on whether or not they will be updated?
Click to expand...

All the places I know still have the 28/1.9 in stock. I dont think it´s time for an upgrade.
 
rover said:
The 28 Ultron is a unique combo of price, performance and speed. Is its size though a necessary "flaw" to produce that bang for the buck benefit, and if so, is the size a fatal flaw? A flaw which limits the market to the point that not enough demand exist to match the minimum acceptable supply level to meet a margin.
Click to expand...
Given that "unique combination" and the price of the Leica "competition", I'd buy one right now while they're available - if I didn't already have one. While the size of the lens is marginally inconvenient, I don't see it as a major issue (then again, I don't mind my Summilux 75, which is much more, um, substantial).

...Mike
 
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