Year end bargains in Leica lenses?

[scott kirkpatrick]

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David Farkas kindly reminded me of a link to the Jan 1, 2010 Leica USA lens price list , which explains that because of continued decreases in the dollar to Euro ratio, lens prices will go up. But what is interesting is that not all lenses are going up, and not all those which increase increase by the same percentage. The ones which increase by $500 each (SX21A, SX24A, and the Noctilux50/0.95A) must have won some sort of best in sales award. And ordering those now will certainly bring a little extra warm feeling after New Years Day.

 

The ones for which no change in price is announced are more interesting. The Summicron 28 in black or silver is unchanged in price. Does that mean that next year we will see a Summilux in this focal length? The Elmar 24/3.8A is unchanged, so perhaps its smaller size and claimed extra sharpness and freedom from distortion have not convinced the owners of 24 Elmarits to upgrade. The Summicron 50 and Macro-Elmar 90 are also unchanged, and finally, the WATE, although one of the most expensive lenses in the lineup, will not increase in price. I can't imagine that it will soon be replaced, so it must just be selling slowly, surrounded by more exciting new products, or less needed now that the M9 has shifted all effective focal lengths back from the 1.3X that the M8 imposed.

 

The next biggest increase ($300) goes to the SX35A, so let's conclude that there is no upgrade to that lens coming real soon. Alleged focus shift? Deal with it!

 

Anyway, this was interesting reading, may give hints of what's coming next year, and suggests some shopping opportunities. Enough unbridled speculation. My day job is calling.

 

scott

[Marty]

The next biggest increase ($300) goes to the SX35A, so let's conclude that there is no upgrade to that lens coming real soon.

Nah, I am concluding that the new SX35A is just going to be much more, perhaps something in the realm of the SX21A and SX24A