jamesm1291 Posted February 11, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 11, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can anyone tell me what's happened to the 35 mm f1.4 summilux aspherical. I have been looking to buy one, only to find the U.S. dealers have no supplies and don't seem to know when it will be available. One thread in this forum says it's out of production. If so, why? It was only released last year. What's going on in Solms? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Hi jamesm1291, Take a look here what's happened to the 35mm f1.4 summilux?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
tdtaylor Posted February 11, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 11, 2011 Actually, a few have reported receiving them recently. I have had one on order since last June, and the dealer told me I was next in line and should see it this month. My wait sound fairly typical, although a few have called around and nabbed one. I tried that approach, and came up empty. Best to put your name in line at a reputable dealer. Leica makes lenses in batches, so if they sell out it can be a while before they start the next batch. There were supposedly some issues last Fall, if the threads were to be believed. It is definitely not out of production, just scarcer than hen's teeth . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted February 11, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 11, 2011 Can anyone tell me what's happened to the 35 mm f/1.4 summilux aspherical. It's out of production for 17 years now and a sought-after collector's item. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmann Posted February 11, 2011 Share #4 Posted February 11, 2011 There are no supplies because there are so many people on waiting lists, normally about 6 months long, with pre-orders for these lenses. All you can do is choose a dealer, place your order and wait in line. The success that Leica has had in the last 12 months with the M9 has meant that the demand for all its high-end (fast) M lenses has gone throught the roof. The 35mm f1.4 Summilux asph. is a great lens and much in demand, that's all. Regards Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted February 12, 2011 Share #5 Posted February 12, 2011 It's out of production for 17 years now and a sought-after collector's item. I was originally thinking the same thing form the OP's post, but he noted that it was released last year, so I assume he meant the new Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH with the floating element. It would have helped if Leica had changed the name from the last version. You are correct that the lens quoted is the first aspherical with two aspherical elements made in 1991, and supposedly only 2,000 were made. From my understanding, every version after this was named "ASPH", not "aspherical". Those who know more please correct me if I got anything wrong. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted February 12, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 12, 2011 Jamesm - to clarify what 01af and td are on about, Leica produced a lens specifically called the "Aspherical" 35 f/1.4 - engraved the whole word on the lens - back around 1990-93. Only a couple of thousand were made. It was replaced by simpler and less costly to build lenses engraved ASPH. Therefore referring to the current 35 f/1.4 as "aspherical" instead of ASPH will get you in hot water. As to current 35 f/1.4 ASPHs - the demand is greater than the supply. This is true for a great may lenses at the moment, but the 35 f/1.4 is a "hot ticket." It is certainly not out of production, but it could be between batches while Leica gets caught up on some of the other lenses in short supply. What's going on in Solms? They're making money hand over fist. It's what's going on in the rest of the world (willing customers stacking up 3-6 months of pre-orders) that is the source of the problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted February 12, 2011 Share #7 Posted February 12, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I ordered when it was announced and was one of the fortunate few who got one (mine arrived last July, rather earlier than expected, much to the detriment of my bank balance:o) Unsurprisingly I am thrilled with the results from it. In my opinion definitely worth establishing a relationship with a reputable dealer and placing an order, which might be said for nearly any M lens from Solms currently. Only this week I have been told that the demand for the Summilux M 50 ASPH as well (a few have just trickled through here) has caused shortages of the Summicron 50's too and those are next expected to be produced in March. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted February 12, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 12, 2011 I agree with Geoff. Ordered my new 35 Lux ASPH mid last year and had it within 4 weeks (in fact before the M9 which wasn't much use! Although there was a new relationship with a reputable Sydney dealer (helped by a single order for an M9 and 2 Luxes) I think much of it was luck as Australia was clearly due for it's allocation of 35 Lux ASPH (with Geoff getting his about the same time). Regarding the new 50 Lux ASPH, I rang to order it in November expecting a 6 month wait, only to be told someone had declined to purchase their newly arrived lens that day so I had it with in 2 hours! Having said that, I've been waiting 5 months for a 75 Cron (whenever they decide to put it back into the production cycle)............. Mark Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted February 13, 2011 Share #9 Posted February 13, 2011 Hi Mark yes I think that between us we own 20% of the Summilux 35s to land in Australia! THe 50 has been rara avis for some time of course. Right now there is one up here (and I think one in Melbourne) on dealer's shelves looking for someone to buy them. The APO 75 is wonderful of course. Keep everything crossed for a delivery soon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivar B Posted February 13, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 13, 2011 It's out of production for 17 years now and a sought-after collector's item. A few years back I got one from my favourite dealer, Meister Camera in Hamburg. It had gotten lost on a shelf somehow, unused in box with papers. Went into my collection and has (unfortunately) never been used. I also got a mint Noctilux 1.2/50 from him - in box! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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