Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Lens V5

[Beemermark]

I have this lens bought in 2016, or at least I think I do. The listing on BHPhotoVideo shows the price is $3205. It's not the ASPH lens. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this price. Mine was $800 in Dec 2016.

 

[Ororaro]

Well 1 million dollars back then seemed like a lot.

Now, in 2026 all I hear on the news are numbers in BILLIONS AND TRILLIONS.

like what happened? Has a budget of 100 millions become so pathetically low?

 

[halfaninchawater]

Two years ago, when I purchased my 50mm ƒ/2.0 Summicron-M (11826) new. It was $2895.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I have this lens bought in 2016, or at least I think I do. The listing on BHPhotoVideo shows the price is $3205. It's not the ASPH lens. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this price. Mine was $800 in Dec 2016.

Welcome to 2026. You're also comparing used then with new now. I bought a clean - but not mint - v5 in silver chrome about that time for a 'negotiated' $800.

 

[valdas]

That’s how it is. I paid 500€ for V4 in 2008 (same optical formula as V5, I guess, just tabbed and w/o build in hood). Now it is in the range of 1500€.

 

[Rayt]

The mark up is high in the US. I think without VAT it’s around $2500 in Europe. Buy it in Germany as a foreigner tax free,

 

[Duofold RF]

SP500

 

[Duofold RF]

I think the new lens list price was aroud $1900-2000 in 2016

 

[Godfrey]

I have this lens bought in 2016, or at least I think I do. The listing on BHPhotoVideo shows the price is $3205. It's not the ASPH lens. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this price. Mine was $800 in Dec 2016.

All I can say is that if you paid $800 in 2016 for a Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v5, you got a heck of a deal. I bought mine secondhand in 2017 at a very good price ... US$1795.00.

G

 

[Duofold RF]

All I can say is that if you paid $800 in 2016 for a Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v5, you got a heck of a deal. I bought mine secondhand in 2017 at a very good price ... US$1795.00. G

I paid a like new Summicron 50mm f2 V4 for $750 at Tamakin Leica in 2005. A V5 for $800 is an excellent price in 2016

 

[splitimageview]

In 2010-2011 retail was $2k. New Leica Lens Price List as of January 2010 | Steve Huff Hi-Fi and Photo

Bear in mind, the lens is worth exactly what it was in 2010, it's the dollar that has cratered... 😕

 

[Beemermark]

Well 1 million dollars back then seemed like a lot.

Now, in 2026 all I hear on the news are numbers in BILLIONS AND TRILLIONS.

like what happened? Has a budget of 100 millions become so pathetically low?

Same thing that happens to every Banana Republic or Germany in the 1930's.

 

[Beemermark]

My mistake, it was 2007, not 2017.

 

[Godfrey]

My mistake, I bought it in 2007, not 2017.

That makes more sense. Thanks!

G