Digital Rev?

FlashGordonPhotography · December 31, 2011

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I've bought several items from digital rev including lenses, flashes and accessories. All have arrived fine and very fast. They're like the B&H of Hong Kong.

Gordon

December 31, 2011

Hi FlashGordonPhotography,

Take a look here Digital Rev?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

Clandrel · December 31, 2011

Great!

Congratulations to both you and me for getting the most sought after lenes on the planet:)

stunsworth · December 31, 2011

If they've shipped using DHL haven't they given you a tracking number?

Clandrel · December 31, 2011

I talked to them. It will ship today...

Some of the lenses are insanly priced, i.e the Summarits (for some reason) and the 35mm Summilux. But I think the price I payed was quite OK. And it's including norwegian taxes.

/c

StephenPatterson · December 31, 2011

Digital Rev have local phone numbers in several countries, which ring into their Hong Kong office. It took me a few tries, but the phone was answered by a very nice Canadian expat who answered all my questions, confirmed that the lens is new and not "used" or "demo" and updated the shipping schedule, adding an additional day for the New Year's holiday (which the computer hadn't taken into consideration).

So far so good, just keeping my fingers crossed until the package arrives.

Stephen

Deliberate1 · December 31, 2011

Digital Rev have local phone numbers in several countries, which ring into their Hong Kong office. It took me a few tries, but the phone was answered by a very nice Canadian expat who answered all my questions, confirmed that the lens is new and not "used" or "demo" and updated the shipping schedule, adding an additional day for the New Year's holiday (which the computer hadn't taken into consideration).

So far so good, just keeping my fingers crossed until the package arrives.

Stephen

Stephen, congrats on your purchase of a "lens for life."

Thanks to your post, Clandrel, my "What to take to India" gear will include a brand new Summilux 50mm that I just ordered from Digital Rev. I got the black one (wanted the pink) for $3600 which is about $100 under B&H retail and $1000 less than the cheapest new one on Ebay - from an HK seller. I have never been so happy to pay so close to retail. Interesting that DR sells the silver one for $450 more than the black one from its site, but also has the same listed on Ebay for $719 more than the site price of $4050. It indicates one sold and one more available.

So why are these lenses available to the East and not to the West? Why are they offered at different prices by different sellers, and by the same seller at different prices.

I know, these are not just lenses - they are commodities. Fascinating. And Leica is the DeBeers of camera gems.

David

StephenPatterson · December 31, 2011

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I believe DigitalRev, like most HK dealers, is not an authorized Leica dealer. Because of that they can charge more than MSRP, which is something Leica dealers cannot. I believe they source out lenses worldwide, buying from both other dealers and individuals, and then set their price according to what the market will bear. DigitalRev always seems to be the first with every new Leica product, so obviously they have sources to purchase and deliver these items as they become available around the world. Someone in Switzerland gets one of the very first M9-Ps or a buyer in Japan with a new Fuji X100 and off it goes to HK.

Obviously when something is made of unobtainium, like the 35 Summilux ASPH FLE, the price skyrockets to several thousand dollars over list, but I am a little surprised at the current prices for both the 50 Summilux and Noctilux. My feeling is that DigitalRev may be a little long in inventory for both of these lenses, and want to generate some cash at the end of the year.

Stephen

Deliberate1 · December 31, 2011

I believe DigitalRev, like most HK dealers, is not an authorized Leica dealer. Because of that they can charge more than MSRP, which is something Leica dealers cannot. I believe they source out lenses worldwide, and price according to what the market will bear.

Obviously when something is made of unobtainium, like the 35 Summilux ASPH FLE, the price skyrockets to several thousand dollars over list, but I am a little surprised at the current prices for both the 50 Summilux and Noctilux. My feeling is that DigitalRev may be a little long in inventory for both of these lenses, and want to generate some cash at the end of the year.

Stephen

Stephen,

Are you sitting next to me in my living room? I am watching a movie called "The Core." It is a cheezy, but enjoyable sci fi movie that involves a ship that goes to the earth's core. It is made of, you guessed it, "unobtainium." Apparently, our Leica lenses will work at the core of our planet. Good to know.

David

StephenPatterson · December 31, 2011

Stephen,
Are you sitting next to me in my living room?

David

Please don't tell my wife, she already thinks I'm crazy...

So, if I remember correctly from the India thread you already have a 50 Summicron. The 50 Summilux ASPH is a stunning lens, quite possibly the finest in the Leica lineup, and something that you should enjoy for a long time. As for me I love my 50 Summilux ASPH, and will probably use it more than the Noctilux. Saying that there are times in China, especially indoors, when the lighting is challenging at best. Some of the most interesting interiors showing family life are often the most dimly lit, so for those instances f/0.95 will surely help, but I will not be selling the Summilux.

Stephen

andreleon · December 31, 2011

Don't worry , . I've bought several Nikon gears at DR'S without any problem . Have a nice year with your future lens . .

Deliberate1 · December 31, 2011

Please don't tell my wife, she already thinks I'm crazy...

So, if I remember correctly from the India thread you already have a 50 Summicron. Some of the most interesting interiors showing family life are often the most dimly lit, so for those instances f/0.95 will surely help, but I will not be selling the Summilux.

Stephen

Your secret is safe with me - its the "Leica Code."

I do have the 50mm Summicron. I love it dearly in good light - not so much in low light or interiors. I am hoping that the extra stop will assist. But it is the bokeh of the 1.4 that is magical to my eye. I will decide which to keep. What a wonderful dilemma.

I will look forward to seeing your Noctilux (Naughty-lust) images.

Best,

David

jaapv · January 1, 2012

Digital Rev have local phone numbers in several countries, which ring into their Hong Kong office. .

Stephen

Easy to have. It is part of the Skype paid subscription. I have numbers in the UK and USA.

cbretteville · January 2, 2012

Oh yes! Both VAT and Customs.

I've never paid customs on any photographic equipment I've imported. The 25% VAT on the full invoiced value and a handling charge (that depends on the handler) is painful enough.

Carl

StephenPatterson · January 3, 2012

After several days of not seeing any order updates on the DigitalRev website (i.e. shipping info) I called to inquire about my order. Jarrod in customer service told me that there were delays in shipping orders due to the holidays, but that he would check with shipping and send me an email with all the details. Here is the email I just received:

Dear Steve,

I have some very troubling news for you.

It seems that the Leica 50mm f/.95 that our supplier had promised us was for the 2nd hand price and that if we wanted a brand new one ( as they are hard to find), we would be getting another price.

The whole time we were under the impression that the price we were to sell this lens was the one stated on our site, but because we can no longer get this one in for you as described;

We had to cancel and refund your order.

Please accept our apologies; we know how much you were looking forward to this lens.