Noctilux price gone wild?

[innerimager]

Saw this on e-bay, a new Nocti at Photovillage in NY, an excellent dealer, for...$10K!!
Leica Noctilux 50mm f/1.0 New USA 6-bit No Compromises! - eBay (item 330235182287 end time May-16-08 13:54:17 PDT)
Called them and they said prices have gone crazy, and that used samples in good condition are fetching close to this. Good grief! I almost sold mine a few weeks ago for 5K, it was my love of the lens that had me back out, (actually for the second time, 2 different buyers). Guess I'm glad I love it so much! best....Peter

[Riccis]

I believe there are two factors at play here, the upcoming price increase acrosss the board and the chatter about the upcoming 0.95 $10k Nocti that has spread like wildfire...

[innerimager]

I'd expect the 1st one to drive up prices but the 2nd to lower them? best...Peter

[Riccis]

Originally Posted by innerimager

I'd expect the 1st one to drive up prices but the 2nd to lower them? best...Peter

Not when you add collectors to the mix... Think about it, if the rumored smaller in size, ASPH 50 f/0.90 Noctilux becomes a reality, the existing version becomes the last Nocti with special glass that will give you that signature we all have come to love... Also, the fact that the rumored Nocti will hit the streets at $10k also means that within a year it may be $11k due to the yearly Leica price increases...

Cheers,

[GMB]

I hardly dare to take mine out for a shoot if I read these prices!

[Philippe D.]

Originally Posted by GMB

I hardly dare to take mine out for a shoot if I read these prices!

and you never take you car out of the garage as well ?

[innerimager]

Originally Posted by Riccis

Not when you add collectors to the mix... Think about it, if the rumored smaller in size, ASPH 50 f/0.90 Noctilux becomes a reality, the existing version becomes the last Nocti with special glass that will give you that signature we all have come to love... Also, the fact that the rumored Nocti will hit the streets at $10k also means that within a year it may be $11k due to the yearly Leica price increases...

Cheers,

makes sense. actually, I hadn't even heard about the 0.95 version. ..Peter

[innerimager]

Originally Posted by GMB

I hardly dare to take mine out for a shoot if I read these prices!

and that would really be the shame of this. I refuse to relegate this lens to a museum shelf, I'm going to shoot the heck out of it! best....Peter

[thai.charlie]

Originally Posted by Philippe D.

and you never take you car out of the garage as well ?

Uh, most cars in the 10k price range do not appreciate in price.

If mine was calibrated for my M8 (it seems to back focus at 1m), I'd use it more. In the meantime I use my RF Canon 50mm 1.2 (which is apples vs oranges).

[kwpatlaw]

Well, whatever the reason, there is no doubt that noctilux fever is spreading like wildfire. I almost bought Peters nocti ( $5000 ) before he had second thoughts about selling it. I am pleased to report that I have just secured one ( a type 3 ) for $5240. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow or thursday. While that is a lot of money, it is looking like a better deal by the day. I am just glad that I found one before things really get out of hand.

Ken

[innerimager]

Ken- I'm really glad you got one, and that I kept mine! best...Peter

[bradreiman]

seriously thinking about selling mine now. it doesn't focus from f2 to 5.6 on the m8 and I'm pretty much done with film. Loved it while it lasted but I keep thinking of the 2 new lenses I could buy if I sell her. Also my cv351.2 makes comparable images, if not better in many circumstances.

[innerimager]

Originally Posted by bradreiman

seriously thinking about selling mine now. it doesn't focus from f2 to 5.6 on the m8 and I'm pretty much done with film. Loved it while it lasted but I keep thinking of the 2 new lenses I could buy if I sell her. Also my cv351.2 makes comparable images, if not better in many circumstances.

It's because I am shooting the M7 that I can't see letting it go. On my M8, I only use it between f1-2.0, no focus shift in this range, on film I still tend to shoot wide open but it is more versatile stopped down.....Peter

[Eoin]

It's absolute madness IMO, $9000, $10000 or $11000 for a lens. I know some of you will justify it due to it's unique aperture and fingerprint, but you must have a real need that can't be satisfied or compromised on with another lens. Sure, many of you will have bought it well before these stratospheric prices and fair play. But $9000 is insane.

[innerimager]

Originally Posted by Eoin

It's absolute madness IMO, $9000, $10000 or $11000 for a lens.

you'll get no argument here.

[jaapv]

I guess it is time we stopped thinking dollars, before we start jumping off office buildings. Still, € 4795,-- (current at Meister Camera)is quite a hefty price. I'll stick with my 75 Summilux, I think, and forego the pleasures of the Noctilux...
Actually I just finished updating my insurance policy. It is on the basis of replacement value new... Could anybody please come and steal my stuff? I could buy quite a nice new Mercedes on the proceeds

[mustafasoleiman]

Originally Posted by jaapv

I guess it is time we stopped thinking dollars, before we start jumping off office buildings. Still, € 4795,-- (current at Meister Camera)is quite a hefty price. I'll stick with my 75 Summilux, I think, and forego the pleasures of the Noctilux...
Actually I just finished updating my insurance policy. It is on the basis of replacement value new... Could anybody please come and steal my stuff? I could buy quite a nice new Mercedes on the proceeds

WHAT'S YOUR ADDRESS?

[msadat]

but this price is just crazy, there are many buy it now on ebay under 7k.

i am really hoping that leica is not spending time building a .95 lens which is worth less. i rather them work on a new FF m9 or the new R10 and some lenses

[erl]

The Noctilux is a tool that serves a particular purpose that cannot be exactly duplicated by any other lens. Some may get close, but not the same. If you have a need for its abilities, you will pay whatever it takes to have the tool. In my case, I shoot theatre work and do low light street work. The Noct is, as a result, my most used lens. Last week I shot a show and made in excess of 500 images. Conservatively, I would say more than 70% were on the Noct wide open. Partly because I wanted the narrow depth of field, but largely because of the lighting design. It can be a difficult lens to use, but like a RF camera, it only needs practice, which I do frequently.

My M8 + Noct originally seriously back focussed. After a trip to Solms they are both virtually perfect, which is absolutely essential for this combo. I now have total confidence in them. The price? Well I got mine for around $1500 so I am laughing.

I have just posted some samples on my website (www (dot)showplace(dot)com(dot)au, under "Drama 2008" in the menu, for anyone interested. Most are Noct images, but includes several from the 28mm Elmarit and one from the 75mm Cron.

[Daniel Ortego]

Originally Posted by Eoin

It's absolute madness IMO, $9000, $10000 or $11000 for a lens. I know some of you will justify it due to it's unique aperture and fingerprint, but you must have a real need that can't be satisfied or compromised on with another lens. Sure, many of you will have bought it well before these stratospheric prices and fair play. But $9000 is insane.

Actually, I thought the $5400 I paid for my M8 was crazy too!
Regards,