Leica Price increasing April 1, 2021

ellisson said:
For the small segment of buyers who go for $3000 - $18,000 Leica gear (check out the newest S camera body) another $100 to $1000 increase doesn't hurt so bad.

Agree that the used market together with some patience can yield good gear, although many older lenses such as the Summaron 35mm f3.5 (all versions), one of my favorites, have gone up in price, as has the LTM 28mm f5.6 to near the price of the newer, re-issued "classic" 28mm Summaron-M lens. Now the gap will widen by another $100-200.

It is interesting that Leica, or at least some of its representatives, (see "Leica Tech Talk Episode 2, Classics Never Die" on YouTube) admit the older, less highly corrected lenses do just fine on the M10-R and the M10 monochrome cameras. The idea of "Future-Proofing" with expensive glass for high megapixel cameras is less compelling if that is the main reason for purchasing them. Like so much else in these discussions, subjectivity rules, but it is interesting to see Leica acknowledge the impressive behavior of older glass on their modern M-cameras.

Buying used and buying older remains a decent strategy for Leicaphiles. Especially with further price increases.
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E,

I'm hedged: I play both sides; APO 35 Cron-L, and old single coated glass.

For me I buy to keep, so I spend my money only once. No regrets.

Not about wasting money, saving or investing, just buying for the long term.

I totally agree with you about using old glass on a M-digital. I still own my MM and it still is a great camera, warts and all. It seems to favor my Nikon 35/1.8 in LTM, but It also does well with a 28 Cron version one.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
E,

I'm hedged: I play both sides; APO 35 Cron-L, and old single coated glass.

For me I buy to keep, so I spend my money only once. No regrets.

Not about wasting money, saving or investing, just buying for the long term.

I totally agree with you about using old glass on a M-digital. I still own my MM and it still is a great camera, warts and all. It seems to favor my Nikon 35/1.8 in LTM, but It also does well with a 28 Cron version one.

Cal
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Hey Cal, those are excellent lenses and all can produce great images. You, the photographer, know what works best for you and your shooting style and work. And of course knowing your available resources. From what I know about your work, those choices make sense.

So many good options, even in the Leica world, even if resources are tight. For those who shoot with Leica gear, its nice to know that older gear such as that MM and the lenses you mention will continue to produce excellent quality work, even next to more recent Leica offerings (and prices). And it was nice to see Leica acknowledge this in that YouTube video!
 
ellisson said:
its nice to know that older gear such as that MM and the lenses you mention will continue to produce excellent quality work, even next to more recent Leica offerings (and prices). And it was nice to see Leica acknowledge this in that YouTube video!
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One must bear in mind that with monochrome sensors sans Bayer filter array, the 18MP CCD in the M9M is probably closer to ~30MP on a full-spectrum sensor.

Still not shabby 9 years after its introduction.
 
ellisson said:
Hey Cal, those are excellent lenses and all can produce great images. You, the photographer, know what works best for you and your shooting style and work. And of course knowing your available resources. From what I know about your work, those choices make sense.

So many good options, even in the Leica world, even if resources are tight. For those who shoot with Leica gear, its nice to know that older gear such as that MM and the lenses you mention will continue to produce excellent quality work, even next to more recent Leica offerings (and prices). And it was nice to see Leica acknowledge this in that YouTube video!
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E,

The old glass has the look I love and remember. Single coated for less contrast, soft corners, yet a sharp center, all classic.

I happen to love LTM glass that has the distance scale in feet only. Wish my old nickle 50/3.5 Elmar had the distance scale in feet.

Ever notice how contrast can impose implied sharpness? From printing I found that too much contrast hides detail. I wonder how many think the old glass is less sharp just because it is lower contrast?

Don't tell anyone, but the black Canon 28/3.5 is so tiny and has much better ergonomics than the earlier chrome version. Of course the distance scale is in feet only.

My old MM got the free sensor replacement. Leica even gave me a shipping label. Too bad they had to replace the covering. In certain places the covering was worn smooth from my fingertips. Along the edges I have "honest" wear where the nickle plating is showing through the black anodize.

Buying to keep has worked for me. The old MM is still a great camera, and I would say it will one day have cult status: one reason because it has a CCD sensor making it the most unforgivable digital camera ever made; and secondly can you name a digital camera that is so close to being as if a film camera because it is so primitive and basic?

All the old stuff still works and remains classic/timeless.

I hope to remain the same. LOL.

Cal
 
james.liam said:
One must bear in mind that with monochrome sensors sans Bayer filter array, the 18MP CCD in the M9M is probably closer to ~30MP on a full-spectrum sensor.

Still not shabby 9 years after its introduction.
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James,

I remember when the MM was just a rumor and one poster said it was the dumbest idea he ever heard. LOL.

I still love my M9M.

Also remember 9 years ago the MM cost $8K.

Cal

POSTSCRIPT: BTW it was the best $8K I ever spent.
 
Calzone said:
E,


Buying to keep has worked for me. The old MM is still a great camera, and I would say it will one day have cult status: one reason because it has a CCD sensor making it the most unforgivable digital camera ever made; and secondly can you name a digital camera that is so close to being as if a film camera because it is so primitive and basic?
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I would say the same about my old Nikon D1x. I had bought on ebay while a penniless student and had tons of fun shooting it with all its limitations. It really felt like a film camera with a digital back bolted to it. My newer cameras lack the same rugged primitivism.

~S
 
Steinberg2010 said:
I would say the same about my old Nikon D1x. I had bought on ebay while a penniless student and had tons of fun shooting it with all its limitations. It really felt like a film camera with a digital back bolted to it. My newer cameras lack the same rugged primitivism.

~S
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S,

Another RFF friend is fond of a D2X.

Pretty much the retro film experience.

Truth be told I never pushed the ISO past 800 so I shot it like a film camera.

If Leica did not make the M9M I likely still would be a die hard analog film only guy. Many of my friends were shocked when I spent $8K on a MM.

Now I also own a SL and SL2... LOL.

Cal
 
I recently acquired an M246 after finding one at a decend used price. I had long sworn I would never buy a Leica digital. Now my M5 is looking nervous - even though it's the most used of my film Leicas.

~S
 
Steinberg2010 said:
I recently acquired an M246 after finding one at a decend used price. I had long sworn I would never buy a Leica digital. Now my M5 is looking nervous - even though it's the most used of my film Leicas.

~S
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S,

We have "Camera-Disease."

Talking about price increases, on EBAY I looked at the prices of Noct-Nikkors because I bout mine well over a decade ago at B&H, they had mis-priced it and I got a good deal.

At that time AIS versions not boxed, but clean and pristine sold for $3K, but now it seems $4K is the going price and upward for clean or boxed AIS versions.

If you can keep that M5 I suggest.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
Now I also own a SL and SL2... LOL.

Cal
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Boy after hearing this price increase news, I'm sure glad I made the jump from Leica to the much more affordable Hasselblad :)

Seriously though - Cal if I were to make the jump back into Leica, I think the best deal around in the used market right now is the SL. On one of my New Mexico excursions I did a two week side-by-side of it with the 246 just after I first got my 246, and I was suitably blown away by the quality of the images. You're wise to hang onto it - it's a nice camera.
 
Vince Lupo said:
Boy after hearing this price increase news, I'm sure glad I made the jump from Leica to the much more affordable Hasselblad :)

Seriously though - Cal if I were to make the jump back into Leica, I think the best deal around in the used market right now is the SL. On one of my New Mexico excursions I did a two week side-by-side of it with the 246 just after I first got my 246, and I was suitably blown away by the quality of the images. You're wise to hang onto it - it's a nice camera.
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Vince,

I love your work.

A noctilux shooting people was magic for you.

I abandoned Madhattan and now live in the burbs because of Covid, but I will finally have a darkroom again.

So my new favorite rig I think will be this Baby Linhof Tech V that is a prototype and has no serial number, no movements, and is basically just a folding camera by my definition. I don't think Linhof made any other folding camera, and by folding camera I mean one without movements.

Overall it is compact with its original side hand strap, but because its a Linhof it is built sturdy.

I have collected 10 2x3 Grafmatics, and intend on mounting a Linhof Select 100/2.8 Zeiss Planar on the Linhof so it can fold.

Right now I have it rigged with the Zeiss 53/4.5 Biogon.

Update is earlier in the week I secured 22 2.25x3.25 Kodak film holders flush out my sheet film use.

Dan says I should set my Kodak 3 1/2 gallon tanks up to use Harvey's 777 which I think is a great idea.

I am lucky because I can keep what I bought.

Cal
 
Calzone said:
Vince,

I love your work.

A noctilux shooting people was magic for you.

I abandoned Madhattan and now live in the burbs because of Covid, but I will finally have a darkroom again.

So my new favorite rig I think will be this Baby Linhof Tech V that is a prototype and has no serial number, no movements, and is basically just a folding camera by my definition. I don't think Linhof made any other folding camera, and by folding camera I mean one without movements.

Overall it is compact with its original side hand strap, but because its a Linhof it is built sturdy.

I have collected 10 2x3 Grafmatics, and intend on mounting a Linhof Select 100/2.8 Zeiss Planar on the Linhof so it can fold.

Right now I have it rigged with the Zeiss 53/4.5 Biogon.

Update is earlier in the week I secured 22 2.25x3.25 Kodak film holders flush out my sheet film use.

Dan says I should set my Kodak 3 1/2 gallon tanks up to use Harvey's 777 which I think is a great idea.

I am lucky because I can keep what I bought.

Cal
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Many thanks Cal - ha that's funny that you're collecting 2x3 Grafmatics and 2x3 holders. I'm on an Ernemann 4.5x6cm glass plate holder kick right now, grabbing them as I find them.
 
Don't know if this is coincidental or relevant ... I was just reading an article in today's (20 March 2021) New York Times basically describing how ultra-rich people made scads of money during the Covid-19 pandemic and are having a terrible time disposing of their ill-got gains. Their solution: collecting. That would be collecting anything, sneakers, online art work, whiskey, ... just about anything that one might perceive as being a possible investment.

Anyone here think that Leica gear might be snapped up as part of their spending spree?

FWIW, for the cost of one "new" Leica camera (that includes body and lens) I'd seriously consider instead purchasing a car or going into the home processing/scanning business--maybe buying a Noritsu or some such thing. That would certainly expedite my workflow! (On second thought, I'd prefer the in-house capacity to work independently of labs to a car; I live someplace where it's warm enough to use my bike for most short journeys. I have access to the one shared car for more distant travels.)
 
Tom R said:
Don't know if this is coincidental or relevant ... I was just reading an article in today's (20 March 2021) New York Times basically describing how ultra-rich people made scads of money during the Covid-19 pandemic and are having a terrible time disposing of their ill-got gains. Their solution: collecting. That would be collecting anything, sneakers, online art work, whiskey, ... just about anything that one might perceive as being a possible investment.
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If the NY Times logic were to be taken seriously, then Pfizer, J&J and Moderna should return their vaccine "ill-gotten gains".

Envy serves to do little beyond divide & destroy.
 
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