Has Leica quit making lenses?

[greggebhardt]

I know they are busy getting the M9 and X1 out but this should not effect the lens production. You can even find a new 50mm Lux and most dealers have few new lenses to sell.😡

Anyone know when the inventory will loosen up?😕

 

[splitimageview]

What are you trying to buy?

 

[Nando]

If you're after the 50 Summilux ASPH, Popflash has several listed on their website. The 35 Summilux ASPH is now discontinued as Leica will be releasing a new version soon.

 

[GrahamWelland]

I was told last week that my dealer was about to receive a large shipment of outstanding lenses this weekend/Monday on the west coast. The assumption was was that Leica NJ must have received some significant new stock.

As mentioned though, 35/1.4 is out of production and the 50/1.4 is just subject to a huge order backlog.

 

[greggebhardt]

If you're after the 50 Summilux ASPH, Popflash has several listed on their website. The 35 Summilux ASPH is now discontinued as Leica will be releasing a new version soon.

Yes I am looking for a new 50 Lux.

PopFlash has no "NEW" 50 Luxes😡

They do have an older non-6bit but no current one. There is a waiting list for them and I have been on it for months!

They did just send me a spanking new M9!😉

 

[greggebhardt]

I was told last week that my dealer was about to receive a large shipment of outstanding lenses this weekend/Monday on the west coast. The assumption was was that Leica NJ must have received some significant new stock.

As mentioned though, 35/1.4 is out of production and the 50/1.4 is just subject to a huge order backlog.

That is welcome news!

What is with Leica? You would think that for what they charge for lenses they could keep a few in stock! And yes I know they are a small company but when dealrs get NO stock for a while, you got to wonder!

 

[Pickett Wilson]

"What is with Leica?"

Exclusivity has its price. If the lenses were easier to get, perhaps folks wouldn't be as willing to pay the prices Leica charges. I'm just sayin'.

 

[greggebhardt]

"What is with Leica?"

Exclusivity has its price. If the lenses were easier to get, perhaps folks wouldn't be as willing to pay the prices Leica charges. I'm just sayin'.

I would normally agree with you if the supply was just "short".

But like the M9 shortage the lens shortage has likely done as much harm as it has helped. There are others now making lenses that fit on the M

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Greg, folks who buy $3,000 Leica lenses and then shoot Tri-X handheld with a rangefinder camera are, in my humble opinion, either fooling themselves or are not buying the Leica name for image quality alone. The "other" lenses just won't do for many folks.

 

[JPSuisse]

I think the shortage of the 50mm Summilux ASPH is related to the the introduction of the M9. Lots of people had probably purchased the 35mm and 28mm lenses for the M8.

Now the preference will go again to 50mm and 35mm lenses. Just a guess. In any case, I really like my copy of the 50 Lux, and I think the people that have them aren't selling them either.

JP

 

[greggebhardt]

I think the shortage of the 50mm Summilux ASPH is related to the the introduction of the M9. Lots of people had probably purchased the 35mm and 28mm lenses for the M8.

Now the preference will go again to 50mm and 35mm lenses. Just a guess. In any case, I really like my copy of the 50 Lux, and I think the people that have them aren't selling them either.

JP

No doubt the M9 with it's FF sensor had alot to do with the 50mm shortage. Just hope that Leica will get with it and get caught up.

 

[Avotius]

A friend of mine was looking for a 50 lux asph as well here a few months ago. Damn near impossible to find on the mainland or Hong Kong, in fact we didnt find one.

 

[greggebhardt]

Greg, folks who buy $3,000 Leica lenses and then shoot Tri-X handheld with a rangefinder camera are, in my humble opinion, either fooling themselves or are not buying the Leica name for image quality alone. The "other" lenses just won't do for many folks.

They are closer to $4k now and I would gladly be a fool and pay for one if I could find it now!😱

 

[jaapv]

I would normally agree with you if the supply was just "short".

But like the M9 shortage the lens shortage has likely done as much harm as it has helped. There are others now making lenses that fit on the M

Well not that now. That has been the case for years and years. I cannot see that having any relationship with the current backlog.

 

[JPSuisse]

Greg, folks who buy $3,000 Leica lenses and then shoot Tri-X handheld with a rangefinder camera are, in my humble opinion, either fooling themselves or are not buying the Leica name for image quality alone. The "other" lenses just won't do for many folks.

Or, maybe they just don't have another 50mm handy?

Actually, we live in age of excess. With a maximum speed limit of 120kmh, for instance, why should anybody drive anything with more power than a FIAT Panda?! Maybe it just turns into a question of "what floats your boat?"

I happened to have shot my recent trip to Venice using almost exclusivley an Elmar 50 for slides and Summiliux 50 Asph for Tri-X.

I was having so much fun, I didn't even notice I was fooling myself.

JP

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Greg, certainly not calling you a fool. If you can afford the best, why not? Just never saw the point in buying a $10,000 target rifle and using it to squirrel hunt from a moving 4-four wheeler. Too much of the country boy in me, I guess. 😉

 

[greggebhardt]

Greg, certainly not calling you a fool. If you can afford the best, why not? Just never saw the point in buying a $10,000 target rifle and using it to squirrel hunt from a moving 4-four wheeler. Too much of the country boy in me, I guess. 😉

Not to worry, thick skin here and everyone has a "different point of view".

This is what makes the world a wondrous place!

I likely could have done without a M9, too, but I got SO tired of what the M8 was doing to my Leica glass. I guess I have shot with the M7 and DLSR too long to be happy with anything except FF sensors.

 

[rxmd]

The unique, outsatnding signatuire of many Leica lenses is always preserved, whether you are shooting at 1/1000 s. with the camera mounted to a tripod set in concrete or shooting hand-held at 1/8 or even 1/4 s.

Magus, is that you?

It's good that there are believers, they keep the company in business.

 

[Rayt]

A friend of mine was looking for a 50 lux asph as well here a few months ago. Damn near impossible to find on the mainland or Hong Kong, in fact we didnt find one.

Its been like this for over a year and still no product. Seems the only lenses we can get over here in HK are the Summarits.

 

[greggebhardt]

Its been like this for over a year and still no product. Seems the only lenses we can get over here in HK are the Summarits.

Lots of Summarits here also and a few new Chrons but the Lux has been elusive for a while now.