Why doesn't Leica offer a low-cost 35?

[Kyle]

Its late, I should be doing a paper, but instead I'm posting pointless questions on camera forums! 😛

Anyways, Leica has the new 50/2.8 Elmar and the 90/4. Why don't they offer a slower 35 as a low cost alternative to the Summicron? Maybe a new 35/2.8 Summaron? Just curious...

 

[jaapv]

Well, only time will tell if they will. Anyway, the idea makes sense.

 

[ZorkiKat]

Until that day/lens comes, would the lower cost alternatives do? I like the Jupiter 12. It's a 2,8/35.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Leica does ... 40/2 summicron-c (and its cousin 40/2 rokkor-2) ... both at a fraction of the price of the 35/2 cron

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

and you sacrifice nothing in speed for the price

 

[Socke]

Tom, it's past tense in regard to the Summicron-c 🙂

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Tom, it's past tense in regard to the Summicron-c 🙂

I know ... but in many ways, Leica is a 'retro' kind of company 😉

 

[richard_l]

...Anyways, Leica has the new 50/2.8 Elmar and the 90/4. Why don't they offer a slower 35 as a low cost alternative to the Summicron? Maybe a new 35/2.8 Summaron? Just curious...

The Elmar is cheaper than the Summicron only because it is a much simpler lens design. The Summaron is as complex as the Summicron and would be priced accordingly. The only way to produce a cheaper Summaron would be to use cheaper materials, and that seems unlikely. I suppose they could produce a cheaper 35mm Elmar, but that's a bit wide for satisfactory performance.

Richard

 

[CDT]

I have to say don't see the point. Leica's reputation is largely based on making the absolute best lenses without regard for cost.

Personally I can't afford any of the new aspherical lenses but Voigtlander and Zeiss fill that niche nicely.

 

[Kyle]

I have to say don't see the point. Leica's reputation is largely based on making the absolute best lenses without regard for cost.

Personally I can't afford any of the new aspherical lenses but Voigtlander and Zeiss fill that niche nicely.

I'm not talking about an el-cheapo lens that sacrifices optical and build quality for cost. I'm just talking about a lower cost alternative to those that don't necessarily need the speed of the 35/2 Summicron. They've already done this with the current Elmars (50 and 90) so I don't think it goes against Leica's philosophy.

Anyways, it was late and I was just pondering pointless things. Now its 5:30 in the morning here and I'm still awake and should be writing a paper, so I have no idea if what I'm saying even makes sense!

 

[CDT]

Sorry, my post sounds a little more obnoxious then I intended.
I do wish they still made some of the older versions. The newer asphericals are too big for me in addition to being too expensive. The 4th generation 35mm would probably still sell pretty well.
I'm less sure that developing newer, less expensive versions makes financial sense.

 

[Huck Finn]

Why doesn't like offer a low-cost 35?

They do. They just charge a lot of money for it. 😉 😀 😀 😱 🙄 😛

 

[Nick R.]

The problem with making a less expensive 35mm lens of new design is that it may be less expensive than new ASPH lenses but it won't be much less expensive than used pre-ASPH lenses. Consider the new 50mm elmar. When it comes right down to it, a used 2.0 Summicron is probably a better buy than a new 50 elmar, even though the elmar is a great lens.

 

[back alley]

Why doesn't Leica offer a low-cost 35?

because there are no poor dentists?

😉

 

[Trius]

joe ... you're lucky Jaap doesn't live in Edmonton ... you'd have a full set of dentures by now.

 

[Pherdinand]

In his hands, yes.

 

[Kyle]

Why doesn't Leica offer a low-cost 35?

because there are no poor dentists?

😉

You win for best response of the day!

 

[back alley]

just kidding ( he said while looking over his shoulder)!!

🙂

 

[Palaeoboy]

I think that with the new 28mm f2.8 ASPH, Leica have proven they can make an excellent low cost slower option without compromising quality. I see no reason why they cant do it with the 35mm also.

 

[ray_g]

I think that with the new 28mm f2.8 ASPH, Leica have proven they can make an excellent low cost slower option without compromising quality. I see no reason why they cant do it with the 35mm also.

Maybe someone knows the answer, but how is it that the new 28mm elmarit ASPH is cheaper than the old 28mm elmarit?