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Lens availability stressed by M9 intro?


brt3

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I'm curious if anyone else is noticing how scarce certain M lenses are getting? It seems the 50/1.4 Lux ASPH is hard to get in black, and nearly impossible to find in chrome. As this is repeatedly cited as THE "go to" lens for M9 use, it would appear these are becoming increasingly harder to come by.

 

I just received my Steel Grey M9 and have ordered a 35 Cron and the 50 Lux -- both in chrome -- but it took me over an hour to locate a dealer who had the 50 Lux/chrome in stock. I must have checked with 20+ dealers before finding this lens...

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It's amazing how all this affects who you are or rather where you are in the Leica M stream. If you waited and didn't buy the M8, now you can get a great camera for half price. This is horrible news to all of us who have watched the price of our film M's stay the same or go up, and all the lenses go up in price. While DLSR and P&S's all slide downhill into the basement with no value at all. But if you bought the M8you're now out about $ 2500 and in shock. On the other hand, as the post says, the demand for the M9 will surely put demand on lenses and drive up their prices. So, if you want to upgrade from your half-value M8 to the M9, you can sell one of your less used M lenses to offset the loss of value for you M8. But if you don't have the lens you want, you're now going to have a hard time finding one of them used in perfect condition for a good price. And so on. Still sounds better than a DSLR though.

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I'm curious if anyone else is noticing how scarce certain M lenses are getting? It seems the 50/1.4 Lux ASPH is hard to get in black, and nearly impossible to find in chrome. As this is repeatedly cited as THE "go to" lens for M9 use, it would appear these are becoming increasingly harder to come by.

 

I just received my Steel Grey M9 and have ordered a 35 Cron and the 50 Lux -- both in chrome -- but it took me over an hour to locate a dealer who had the 50 Lux/chrome in stock. I must have checked with 20+ dealers before finding this lens...

 

Agreed... Same thing reported in Paris...

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When the M8 came out the demand for lenses built up the worst backlog in lenses Leica had ever seen, within a few months. It may well be the same thing is happening now. The production cannot be affected, cameras and lenses are built in different production workflows, with different workers.

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As of about 10 days ago Glazers Camera in Seattle, Washington USA had a new chrome 50 lux ASPH in stock. Ask for Mark V. He is usually off on Thursday and Friday and works Saturday-Wednesday. They have always given me great service.

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Leica lenses are made in batches. Not even every year. Maybe the last batch of 50mm Summilux ASPH was some time ago. I don't see why a FF digital rangefinder would increase demand for a 50mm focal length, because the 35mm lens is usually preferred. Unless, of course, the 50mm is especially nice (I have one; it is; but I'm a 50mm guy). If you can't get one, go for a 75 Summicron and 35mm Summilux. Awesome combination.

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It's a small world because if I hadn't bought their Noctilux it would have been mine as I had it on hold ... :p:D

A small world after all...

 

How are you liking the Nocti? I am still debating that one; I like the "painterly" look of the 1.0, but the .95 is capable of beautiful results as well (but is out of reach, for now, price-wise).

 

Love the avatar, BTW. That's one bad dog; almost looks a tad robotic, eh?

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I got my 50 lux black and 90 cron APO new at Ninedays Photography in Hong Kong. Great place. I haven't been to the physical store. I purchased online.

 

I notice they have a 50 lux silver chrome on their site. Check the link below. Very quick reply on any question i had regarding the lens.

 

Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 50/1.4 ASPH Silver 6-bit New - HK$26800.00 : Ninedays Photography Ltd.

 

Have fun shopping.

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