Leica News from Chasseur d'images

Dan States said:
Not sure WHY they would even bother with a lens that is surpassed in spec by the Zeiss version at a much lower price.
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Did someone release specs of these lenses?

I've not seen a ZM 24 what is it? I suppose you mean the ZM25? I love my ZM25( just as much as my Contax G 21), so I'm not in the market for a 24.

I was noting that all the complaining was about the 'astronomical' prices for the new lenses, yet the one that less expensive than many other Leica lenses was ignored. A more affordable version of a regular Leica length was ignored by the Leica bashers- who seem only interested in complaining that their prices are ever increasing.
 
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I was noting that all the complaining was about the 'astronomical' prices for the new lenses, yet the one that less expensive than many other Leica lenses was ignored.
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Because it's specs are rather boring compared to the lenses released with it.

A more affordable version of a regular Leica length was ignored by the Leica bashers-
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Let's put the term "basher" in the dumpster, shall we?

And, again, hard to get excited about this lens based on its specs, especially considering there are more affordable alternatives from other manufacturers.
 
MikeL said:
P.S. I just saw the photo-stitch of the 21mm and Noctilux. Holy kit-zoom Batman!
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I'm surprised why no-one seems to be discussing this very useful image Palec threw together. It's very interesting how big one has to make a 21mm for it to achieve f/1.4

Something else that has only been touched on in passing is the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 and its parallels to the new Leica offerings. A great deal of rationalizing has been done in this thread regarding how much Leica is charging for their new lenses based on materials, hand-assembly, smallish demand for the product, and so on. The 35mm f/1.2, I would argue, is in much the same category as these new lenses; it's unique, exotic and performs very well. Yet it sells for $900. For me, this is partly why the Leica prices are mind boggling.

I will agree that Leica is heading in what is probably the best direction in terms of type of product: exclusive, ultra-high quality optics. What leaves a bad taste in my mouth is their ongoing price escalation, even on products that have been on the market for years. Wasn't the MP originally $2100?
 
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Good news !

BEen on to my dealer and put a deposit down for the 0.95 and both the Luxes. Ive been assured i'll get the very first ones that come through the door :D

the M lens line up is now so strong... completely formidable. But theres nowt to put them on ! Here's hoping for a better M8 very soon. Let's face it, 10MP is antediluvian.

Anyone know anything about a Nikon digital RF ?

now that would really make my day !
 
http://uk.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/philosophy/
"No other professional camera is as compact as a Leica M. As a mirror housing is not required, the M8, for example, is less than 37 mm front-to-back. The M lenses also benefit from the short distance to the image plane, delivering an excellent performance with amazingly small weights and dimensions. Being so exceptionally compact, M cameras and lenses are ideal for travel and reportage photography."

V.
 
Roger Hicks said:
No. It was priced in euros.

Dollar variations are another matter.

Cheers,

R.
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Have the Euro prices remained relatively constant (maybe adjusted for inflation), or has they increased notably in recent years? My understanding is that Leica prices are climbing regardless of currency, but I'm more than happy to be told that I'm wrong.
 
sockeyed said:
Have the Euro prices remained relatively constant (maybe adjusted for inflation), or has they increased notably in recent years? My understanding is that Leica prices are climbing regardless of currency, but I'm more than happy to be told that I'm wrong.
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From what I am aware, with a few exceptions (e.g. Noctilux!) most Leica price rises have been slightly above inflation, but only slightly. There may however be others who keep a closer eye on Leica prices than I, and can prove me wrong. One new Leica lens a year is more than I can afford, and I only track the prices of lenses I want.

NOTE TO ANYONE WISHING TO BE HELPFUL -- I am talking about euro prices here, or DM before that, NOT dollars or pounds.

Cheers,

R.
 
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I'd wager that the 24mm / f3.8 lens is the new "normal" lens for a yet-to-be announced Leica digital rangefinder (the "less-expensive" one that rumors have speculated on) that has a 1.5x crop factor. It would be the "normal, compact, cheap (!)" 35mm equivalent focal length lens. Of course, if this is really the case, I suspect that Leica will have just sold a number of 25mm / f2.8 lenses for Zeiss.
 
Without VAT, the M8 was selling for 3,990 Euros in the Amsterdam airport in June.

If the dollar and the Euro were still roughly one to one, then the M8 would be a much better buy in dollars. :)
 
kevin m said:
Since that's all we know for now, yes.
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Got it. So speed, focal length and cost are all that matter in a lens. Oh, and size. How about color? :D

Silly me. I was thinking about performance. You know, detail in the corners, evenness of illumination, distortion, that kind of thing. The other things that matter when one makes photographs with the lens.
 
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.
 
Silly me. I was thinking about performance. You know, detail in the corners, evenness of illumination, distortion, that kind of thing. The other things that matter when one makes photographs with the lens.
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There's your mistake, then, you confused "specifications" with "performance" and they're two different words.

If you're determined to misunderstand people you'll find that's not much of a challenge on the internet.
 
harrylime said:
What about the lower cost digital CL that has been talked about?
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Nothing. Dr. Kaufmann made it IMHO very that there won´t be a dCL at Photochina 2008. The 2000€ digital Leica CL will come, but it is a project for 2009/10. Dr Kaufmann explained it with the lack of supplier industries .
In my opinion it will come when Leica and some of his suppliers are goning to the new Leica Park at Wetzlar. (spring 2010 ?)
 
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