Select Leica M lenses made in Portugal

B&H article says

"The Portugese-made lenses, which include the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. (black), Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. (silver), Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. (black-chrome), Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH. (silver), Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH (black)., Leica Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 (silver), Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH., Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 (black), and Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH., will begin appearing on dealer shelves starting in August, and continuing through December 2020."

Interestingly it says "... through December 2020" and I'm not sure if this implies the move is decisively temporary or it's more of "will do that for this year and see how it goes" type of thing.

A few quick thoughts:

- Does this mean there will be two versions of same lens are actively produced (at least for now) or completely moved to Portugal?
- Do they plan to ultimately move most or all lens productions to Portugal over time? (like BMW moved most motorcycle production to Thailand but ket few models (I believe R-NineT is one) in Germany?
- Note that Leica's binocular/monoculars (and I'm sure many other optical products) are already made in Portugal.
 
Interesting, thanks for sharing, Sug! Seeing the Solms thread, I wonder if the new Made in Portugal lenses will be marked as such. Besides the possible production and/or labor cost differences, perhaps there are some tariff advantages that account for the cost savings to US customers?
 
I thought almost everything of Leica's was made in Portugal, but only finished in Germany sufficient to claim "Made in Germany". I suppose this announcement means even the finishing will be done in Portugal.
The exception to being made in Portugal is some of their auto-focus lenses, which are made in Asia.
 
the Trump USA Tax on made in Germany is what, 25%?

if Biden is elected Leica USA prices could drop 25% practically overnight.

What will that do to used Leica prices?

It could make Portugal made Leica lenses short lived and collectible.

Or not, time will tell.
 
CameraQuest said:
the Trump USA Tax on made in Germany is what, 25%?

if Biden is elected Leica USA prices could drop 25% practically overnight.

What will that do to used Leica prices?

It could make Portugal made Leica lenses short lived and collectible.

Or not, time will tell.
Click to expand...


My thoughts exactly.
 
FWIW, my friend did a quick analysis, and it's about 10% savings for most lenses. Here are the Made in Germany vs. Made in Portugal prices, with the price difference in USD:

  • 50mm f/1.4 - $4,395 --> $3,995 = $400
  • 50mm f/2.0 - $2,695 --> $2,395 = $300
  • 35mm f/2.0 - $3,695 --> $3,295 = $400
  • 28mm f/2.0 - $4,895 --> $4,395 = $500
  • 28mm f/2.8 - $2,595 --> $2,295 = $300
  • 28mm f/5.6 - $2,895 --> $2,595 = $300
 
coelacanth said:
B&H article says

"The Portugese-made lenses, which include the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. (black), Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. (silver), Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. (black-chrome), Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH. (silver), Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH (black)., Leica Summaron-M 28mm f/5.6 (silver), Leica Summicron-M 28mm f/2 ASPH., Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 (black), and Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f/2.8 ASPH., will begin appearing on dealer shelves starting in August, and continuing through December 2020."

Thanks for that. Now i know the ones to avoid if ever i want to keep the resale value leica glass
Click to expand...
 
I own Leitz Bino's 8x42 Trinovid and 10x25 BCA Trinovid. Both are Made in Portugal and construction/quality is outstanding.

I seem to remember the Leica R4 SLR I owned in the 80's was also Made in Portugal but can't recall.
 
I've been thinking about getting a 50mm f/2.0. That $300 savings would be welcome if I were going to buy new. But I haven't decided between a new lens or a V3 in top condition.
 
Leica lowers lens prices!

Leica lowers lens prices!

No, not really!

Here's the real news, as I see it:

For many years, Leica has produced products in their Vila Nova de Famalicao, factory in Portugal.
Some products were completely made and shipped from Portugal and labeled, "Made in Portugal".
Some products had their parts made in Portugal and then assembled in Wetzlar, Germany. These were labeled, "Made in Germany."
Now, because of the recently implemented 25% tariff on German-made goods, some Leica products, previously assembled in Germany, will now be completely manufactured and assembled in Portugal.

So, there will be identical lenses, some labeled, "Made in Portugal" and some labeled, "Made in Germany".

The "Made in Germany" labeled lenses will be priced from $200 to $500 more than their counterparts, labeled "Made in Portugal".

Here is a current list of the lenses to be manufactured, assembled and labeled, "Made in Portugal":

August 2020:
Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH., black – #11716
Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH., silver – #11717
Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH., black chrome – #11715
September 2020:
Leica Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH., black – #11708
Leica Summicron-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH., silver – #11709
Leica Summaron-M 28 mm f/5.6 silver – #11712
December 2020:
Leica Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH., black – #11707
Leica Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 black – #11719
Leica Elmarit-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH., black – #11711
The question arises: Will the lenses labeled, "Made in Germany" continue to hold their higher prices in the used marketplace?
 
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