Ever bought a NEW Leica body or lens.

Ever bought a NEW Leica body or lens.

  • yes in the last 10 years

    Votes: 302 45.6%

  • yes more than 10 years ago

    Votes: 75 11.3%

  • No

    Votes: 285 43.1%
  • Total voters
    662
2x M4, 28, 35, 50, 90 all bought new. All bought in the US except for the 35 which was bought in Germany

These were purchased in the late 60s - early 70s

M2 bought used in the US in the mid 70s.
 
Well, I'm thinking about it, but the depreciation is daunting, as is the inevitable technical progress with the sensors. Still, I think about it almost every week. It would be nice to use my old lenses on a digital Leica.

Scott
 
I purchased a new M6 and 35/2 and 50/2 in in the late 1990's when I initially got into Leica rangefinders. More money then talent back then, but there was some Leica rebate at the time. Later purchased a new MP and 50/1.4 ASPH when they first came out, thinking that would be it. Paid full prices, about $2595 each, thinking that stuff was soooooo expensive. Little did I know Leica would keep raising the prices. Ha, ha, thought that aspherical lens would be the be all and end all, but really too big for me. The best time to buy M stuff was circa 2005-06. With Leica nearly going out of business, a few stores started stores liquidating inventory at cost, I got some lenses (35/2 Asph, 35/1.4, 90/2.8), an M7, even tried a 0.58 MP (hated it!) -- all new, at cost. Ebay was a great place at that time. Most of that stuff I used until about 2012 when I got out of rangefinders. I either made a little profit or broke even on the equipment.

When I got back into rangefinders a few years back, it was either used or third party. Now I have a couple M2's, an old Summicron, and some third party 35mm lenses. That's all I need.

Don't understand why people would buy new Leica today, it's so expensive, but I was doing it 25 years ago. Owning Leica isn't a left brain thing.
 
MP this year.
75mm 2.5 a few years ago - the only lens that I had that has broken, and just by beeing in my Billingham bag with other equipment that was not dammaged. So, I do not buy into the mechanical superiority of leica. (Correction: I have had 2 other lenses that have broken, but they were crushed )
 
loquax ludens said:
I bought an MP a la carte in 2012.


Code: 
__Your personalized Leica à la carte
1.0 Type of camera                 LEICA MP
2.0 Color                          Silver chrome finish
3.0 Rewinding device               as MP
4.0 Type of top cover              Classic
5.0 Controls                       MP style silver chrome finish
6.0 Leather cladding               as MP
7.0 Viewfinder magnification       0.85
8.0 Bright-line frame sets         0.85
Click to expand...

Very nice indeed.
 
I have given a lot of thought to an M-A, but have been unwilling to pull the trigger. I have two M5s that I like quite a bit.

I have several R lenses, all bought used.
 
I only once bought a Leica new, an MP in 2002. However, it wasn't new, it was a "demo" model and it didn't work well: when you rewinded the film, the shutter opened a little bit so the film got a second exposure when you forgot to put the lens cap back on. The late Erwin Puts brought the camera from the Dutch importer Odin back to Wetzlar. Months later I got a phonecall from Odin that I could come to get my new camera. It was however clear that it once again was a demo model - but another - but I didn't care. I still have that camera, I only changed the original upholstery after about a year: the original covering was worn out by then. Aside from that it is a good camera.


Erik.
 
I bought a new MP when originally introduced, later on when outside of warranty, the film counter started to periodically malfunction. I sent it to DAG who said it was the result of Leica simplifying the design of this component to cut costs. Don replaced it with an older pre-simplified unit which he stated was a perfect engineering design from the beginning. Most of their current film frame counters will probably not malfunction but the fact that Leica chose to cut costs on internal components like the film counter or rangefinder assembly was one reason I decided to move away from Leica given their high cost and long downtime for repairs. Once speaking to veteran service person Sherry Krauter who was factory trained decades ago when Leica was in NY, she expressed that unfortunately Leica camera quality control is nowhere what it was formerly in their glory days before various reorganizations during the last several years. They may still be great cameras with exceptionally good glass but for those plunking down big $$$ for new gear, don't assume an issue free purchase.
 
Only one... brand new M9 unless the Leica X1 and X2 count. $7000 for that M9, but sold it over a year later for $5000 once Fuji made the X100 and X-Pro1 and I ended up using them more. More of a convenience thing (AF and High ISO) than anything else. Ultimately, I feel the M9 wasn't great for my photography, but I had fun using it.
 
The only thing I bought new(ish) was my M6, which was an ex-shop demo - I never regretted that decision for a second. All of the approx 20 lenses, and the more than half-a-dozen M-bodies that I've also owned including my current M262, were secondhand.
 
A new MP this year (ordered a year ago), and a 75mm 2.5. Bought a Konica RF new the last time checked out the MP. Still in love with the konica lenses.
 
NEW

M6ttl - Discounted to $1999, because the dealer dropped the baseplate and put a ding in it. I think that was in 1996 and took every penny I had saved up. Funny thing is that I had no intention of buying a Leica that day. LOL

Summicron 2/50 v4
Leicavit-M
Several small accessories like batteries for the M240/M10, diopters, eyecups etc. None of them cheap...

There also was a APS format point and shoot that I purchased as a gift for business deal, but I can't remember the model.

Leica Factory Refurbished

M7
R6.2
M240

The rest was purchased used.
 
I bought one of their tabletop tripods brand new a few years ago. And a Leica laser rangefinder around the same time. That's my complete list.
 
Digilux 2, M8, M9, and two or three lenses years ago. Since then all used.

New digital doesn't make sense for me when the cost will be half in a few years and there are so many nice ones available. Not that I wouldn't love a new M10M.

If I shot more film than I do, I'd consider a new film M. In fact, the thought of selling everything and getting a new M-A and one 35mm lens appeals to me.

John
 
JohnWolf said:
Digilux 2, M8, M9, and two or three lenses years ago. Since then all used.

New digital doesn't make sense for me when the cost will be half in a few years and there are so many nice ones available. Not that I wouldn't love a new M10M.

If I shot more film than I do, I'd consider a new film M. In fact, the thought of selling everything and getting a new M-A and one 35mm lens appeals to me.

John
Click to expand...

I am shooting my M-A with exactly that combo right now and have been for the past month. Albeit my lens is not a Leica lens but a nice little Voigtlander Color Skopar. Maybe I'll be able to afford a nice Leica Summicron 35 at some point in the near future but for now i make do. :D
 
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