If you can spot the performance improvement in any 24-25mm lens vs the Biogon 25 you have better vision or imagination than most. At this point Zeiss is producing a lens that surpasses the user and the medium, film or digital. It has no visible distortion and is extremely flare resistant. What does Leica plan on improving in comparison to their competition?
Competing with that product by introducing a much slower lens for 75% more money is not my idea of the marketplace driving innovation. They know they have a built in audience who will pay any cost for the name brand Leica. At least with the other new offerings the absurd prices come with unique capabilities.
I have to give the boys at Leica credit, as they have managed to create a niche almost completely devoid of economic logic or practical value and have lived on it for about 5 years. They are BRAND managers at the highest levels.
When I bought my NEW Noctilux in 2003 for $1800 I thought that was astronomical. (It WAS at that time). Today, although inflation and dollar value shifts have driven about 50% increases in cost, that same lens has SOLD OUT for upwards of 6K.
5 years ago the CEO at Leica mentioned in an interview that they were going to a pricing strategy that "Leaves a little fat under the skin" because they were not confident their volume levels could drive profits. Well, here we are 5 years later and I suppose for now that strategy has worked. I hope they can continue, but they will do so minus my dollars. I refuse to be suckered any further, and yes I can well afford any of their products.
