M8 campaign and the Noctilux

[steich]

Like the campaign or not- but:
I think that launching a campaign including "1:1.0" lenses is far more than a just vague hint that a new Noctilux is on the way. Honestly, if Dr.Kaufmann was just selling out the remaining Noctis he has in stock, he wouldn´t have to collect Noctiphotos- unless there should be a part of this campaign saying "Fool, you could have bought it, but now it´s too late" ;-)
Regards,
Stefan

[fotografr]

Interesting point.

[Ivar B]

I do not think there are any Noctiluxes in stock. Stefan told me at the Forum meeting that there is a backorder of 250 lenses.

[lll]

According to Stefan Daniel, product Manager M, Leica will not give up the brand Noctilux nor the position in the market they had with this lens. Wait until the 14th / 15th of September.

In my opinion it is a wise decision to keep the f-stop 1:1 and not go to 0.95. F 0.95 is correlated with the Canon lenses and even not better to be pronounced. F1 simply sounds better and technically it makes no difference. It´s only a Question how much you consider vignetting in your "measurement".

Regards
Friedhelm

[like_no_other]

How's the chance that Leica will launch some 1.2 lenses? 1.4 seems to get commodity. Sigma has it, Nikon and others have it as well. Canon even has some 1.2.
1.0 50mm and some 1.2 lenses seem to be necessary to signal a number 1 position in this regard.

[marknorton]

It's a trophy lens for sure and I expect we'll see a replacement. Expensive and if they have been hell-bent on developing a perfectly corrected lens, it may or may not appeal to photographers. The classic Nocti appeals because of the way the residual errors are balanced. The effect is sublime.

50mm is not my favourite focal length on the M8 and I think there are other higher priority lenses to make, especially at the wide end. Just look at the cost of going wider than 28mm. September will indeed be interesting.

[jaapv]

Did anybody notice? They mention "135 mm" in the M8 campaign as well. Does that indicate a viewfinder tweak "upgrade" for the Photokina? (Starting an unfounded rumour here )

[steich]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Did anybody notice? They mention "135 mm" in the M8 campaign as well. Does that indicate a viewfinder tweak "upgrade" for the Photokina? (Starting an unfounded rumour here )

135mm?
Certainly.
To keep up both the idea of modularity and of compatibility of old lenses, Leica will provide a set of adapter rings to couple two 50mm lenses with a 35mm in the middle...

regards,
Stefan

Honestly, if Dr.Kaufmann was just selling out the remaining Noctis he has in stock, he wouldn´t have to collect Noctiphotos- unless there should be a part of this campaign saying "Fool, you could have bought it, but now it´s too late"

IMHO, it would have been a nice gesture if Leica would have announced something to the effect of "Effictive one year from today, the Noctilux will no longer be made." That would have given people like me time to figure out how to round up the $6000US to purchase one.

It sure would have been appreciated...

[SJP]

There are still prenty of 2nd hand Noctis out there so effectively Leica is telling us to buy used lenses - from a 'green' point of view this is very good and should be perceived as a very commendable example to the camera business at large. That you can do this with the M8 was a strong selling point for me, You can buy plenty of perfectly good lenses for very reasonable prices compared to the new ASPHs. Not that am not interested in them as well e.g. a 50mm chrome lux ASPH is still on my list of desires, unless they announce a new nocti at photokina (a chrome noctilux would be cool).

[jrc]

Originally Posted by darkstar2004

That would have given people like me time to figure out how to round up the $6000US to purchase one.

Holy s---! I thought you were exaggerating for effect, so I looked at e-bay and the prices are insane. Why did I put money in the stock market when I could have been buying Noctiluxes? I was holding my breath when I paid $3500 for one a couple of years ago...jeez.

JC

[jrc]

And whoa! I just looked at Popflash and they want $5595 for a WATE -- I think I got it for less than $3,000 with that Leica discount deal...I'm beginning to wonder if maybe the market is telling us something here, about what's coming down the road from Leica...

JC

[marknorton]

I expect to feel significant price resistance for the first time at Photokina.

Lots of effects: the inexorable rise in Leica prices, the fall in the pound against the Euro, the price of Nikon lenses (14-24 f2.8 is, say, 40% the price of the 16-18-21/4 WATE), the fact that most of my lenses were secondhand, 30% or bought from Hong Kong so never really paid full price.

All that will make me think, goodness, that's expensive, when what I really want, and would pay for, is a better body.

[andym911]

Originally Posted by marknorton

I expect to feel significant price resistance for the first time at Photokina.

Lots of effects: the inexorable rise in Leica prices, the fall in the pound against the Euro, the price of Nikon lenses (14-24 f2.8 is, say, 40% the price of the 16-18-21/4 WATE), the fact that most of my lenses were secondhand, 30% or bought from Hong Kong so never really paid full price.

All that will make me think, goodness, that's expensive, when what I really want, and would pay for, is a better body.

Mark,
you hit the nail on the head...

Andy

[woodyspedden]

Originally Posted by marknorton

It's a trophy lens for sure and I expect we'll see a replacement. Expensive and if they have been hell-bent on developing a perfectly corrected lens, it may or may not appeal to photographers. The classic Nocti appeals because of the way the residual errors are balanced. The effect is sublime.

50mm is not my favourite focal length on the M8 and I think there are other higher priority lenses to make, especially at the wide end. Just look at the cost of going wider than 28mm. September will indeed be interesting.

Mark

I bet we will see a 28 Lux at Photokina.

JMHO

Woody

[Rolo]

Originally Posted by woodyspedden

Mark

I bet we will see a 28 Lux at Photokina.

JMHO

Woody

Wrong.

[wizard]

Originally Posted by Rolo

Wrong.

Correct

... and what about a 1:1/ 35mm - that would be great for the M8 I think ...
... just an idea ...
regards
roland

[woodyspedden]

Originally Posted by Rolo

Wrong.

Well you are right that I was wrong about a new 28 Lux. However they are bringing a new chrome version of the 28 cron to market and I already have mine reserved. Love the chrome lenses.

Given that the 24 Elmarit has always been proclaimed one of Leica's very best I am surprised to see them bringing out a new 24 Lux. Not disappointed mind you but surprised. I am very glad to see them bringing out the 21 Lux. This fills a real need for very wide and very fast.

Woody

[Alberti]

Originally Posted by breverl

... and what about a 1:1/ 35mm - that would be great for the M8 I think ...
... just an idea ...
regards
roland

Support that. My votes. But please not with inhibitive pricing....
alberti