Leica Apologizes With A New M Lens

[POINT OF VIEW]

A letter to me from Solms, ( 2 pages ) in a short summery says the following. They thank me for investing in a M8. They reassure me that they are 100% committed to making the M8 a benchmark perfect digital camera. As a side note, from the tone of the very reassuring letter, I believe them. One paragraph explains the introductory M8’s were flawed. No news there. They went on to say ( quote ) We sincerely apologize for this oversight. To make amends for those people that ordered there camera before Dec. 31 - 06, you will be able to buy a M lens at a 30% discount directly from the factory. I personally will buy the Tri-Elmar-Set -16/18/21 with viewfinder, $2739.00 with discount. The same lens US, is $3895 I have until June the 30th, to buy the lens. Even though my camera is still at Solms I believe them when they said in the letter ( quote ). This will be free of charge and the procedure will take approximately 10 days in our workshop plus shipment time, and at the end of the procedure your M8 will perform flawlessly. For me this is a no brainier, Leica is trying to right a wrong. I personally believe the M8 will be the company’s best investment in the 21st century. I have always felt money invested in the M camera and lens was money in the bank. I have very little M equipment that it’s value has not gone up from the time I purchased it. Thank you Leica.

 

[erikhaugsby]

Nothing that hasn't been said before. However, I thought that the 16&c. viewfinder cost $800; with your stated price it is barely $300! (math: 3495-(3495*.3)=$2446 for Lens, 2739-2446=$323 for Viewfinder)

 

[charjohncarter]

Now I wish I had bought one prior to Dec. 31, 2006. That's a good deal.

 

[AusDLK]

Something to watch out for...

Others have written that since the lenses are being purchased directly from Germany rather than through a US distributor that they are liable for customs fees when they come into the country.

If true then this will eat up much of your anticipated 30% discount.

This is something I'd check out if I were you...

 

[POINT OF VIEW]

Sorry for the typo, the tri - Elmar set US is $3895. A savings of $1156.

 

[POINT OF VIEW]

To quote Leica’s letter, The prices given ( they included a list of all M lens the with discount prices ) are retail prices and include all applicable sales and / or use taxes.

 

[Sailor Ted]

Aus,
I got the letter two days ago- Leica clearly states they will pay for both shipping and customs- the quoted price is OTD.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Now I wish I had bought one prior to Dec. 31, 2006. That's a good deal.

If you had a deposit down for a camera prior to Dec. 31, 2006 you still could have registered. You just had to state to whom you had given the deposit.

This announcement was made back in November.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Aus,
I got the letter two days ago- Leica clearly states they will pay for both shipping and customs- the quoted price is OTD.

I got mine in December, and yet another one last week.

If I can find a new job by March, I'm certainly going to get the 28 Elmarit ASPH; that's hard to resist. Maybe the 35 Summicron ASPH, if DAG (after four months) hasn't been able to convert my first version 35 Summicron.

 

[ywenz]

Can someone paste the letter here? I want to read it.

 

[Sailor Ted]

Ben,
I'll start transcribing- wait right here : )

 

[Sailor Ted]

Ted, I haven't posted anything to this thread. Why are you always trying to provoke a flame war?

I guess I should not be surprised. Read slowly. You... are... not... the... only... Ben... in... the... world... (but you are special.)

 

[FrankS]

"I have always felt money invested in the M camera and lens was money in the bank. I have very little M equipment that it’s value has not gone up from the time I purchased it."

I don't want to rain on your parade, but none of that gear is digital. How many old computers appreciate in value? 0

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Those who aren't dogmatic in their views in things digital know about some computers that have kept or even become more valuable.

Let's not start another Internet legend here.

 

[FrankS]

I've got a few older computers to sell you Gabriel!

 

[jaapv]

I have always felt money invested in the M camera and lens was money in the bank.

Well, if my money would have depreciated by 30 to 50 % in a few years (as most of my Leica film gear did when bought new) I would seriously consider changing banks....

 

[Ben Z]

So Leica is selling you a lens at 30% off list price, directly from the factory? Is that correct? If so then by cutting out the middlemen they're selling at dealer net and effectively the dealers are paying for the manufacturer's apology! What a grand gesture!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

So Leica is selling you a lens at 30% off list price, directly from the factory? Is that correct? If so then by cutting out the middlemen they're selling at dealer net and effectively the dealers are paying for the manufacturer's apology! What a grand gesture!

I didn't know the dealers will be pooling in their cash for a lens bought this way. That is indeed a travesty. And economically confusing.

Evil. Incredibly Evil.

 

[Sailor Ted]

So Leica is selling you a lens at 30% off list price, directly from the factory? Is that correct? If so then by cutting out the middlemen they're selling at dealer net and effectively the dealers are paying for the manufacturer's apology! What a grand gesture!

A true champion of Retail!

I got mine (factory refurb from Epson's website) in December, it was $1550 less 10% from a special discount code, so $1395, with free shipping.

Sometimes I wonder if Leica wouldn't be smarter to just open their own e-commerce website and sell direct, cut out all the middlemen and split the difference with the customer

I just had to have an MP also, so I found a demo that had not a single mark of use on it for (at the time) $2000.

If I didn't already have the 4th-version, which I paid $600 for because there's a tiny, barely-perceptible coating mark on the front, I would probably go for the new ASPH over the older version, if only because it's 2/3 the size and weight.

I got both my bargain M6's from KEH and both would've been mint-minus if they'd been on ebay.

Except that my low-res gallery shots were scanned from 4x6 prints on a flatbed and I never claimed them as an example of what my Canon 4000dpi film scanner, bought mint for $250, is capable of.

there's a lush supply of barely-touched photographic equipment that affluent amateurs with GAS sell as soon as the high wears off

 

[Ben Z]

I didn't know the dealers will be pooling in their cash for a lens bought this way.

Why did you infer the dealers are pooling in their cash? If Leica was selling the lenses to the dealers at wholesale, we buy from the dealers at retail, and Leica sends us a rebate check for 30%, then Leica is financing the discount and the dealers make their customary profit. If Leica sells the lens directly from the factory, they are in effect competing with the dealers and discounting us part or all of what would have been dealer profit. Is that really so hard to understand?