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APO 50 delivery status


SiggiGun

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Given the uncertainties surrounding this lens and the lack of an official position from Leica, who is going to drop AUD $8500 on this lens. I wouldn't. The retailer conveniently forgets to mention that the lens, according to rumour, has been pulled from production because of unspecified technical difficulties and that production of the same or a revised lens may resume at some point in the future.

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...the lens, according to rumour, has been pulled from production because of unspecified technical difficulties and that production of the same or a revised lens may resume at some point in the future.

 

In China we have a saying, often heard in company board rooms following discovery of a problem or defect…

 

"Maybe customer not notice!!!"

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Did you get rid of yours?

 

Do you mean me? Good grief no!! In fact I am sorely tempted to buy this one, unfortunately it is appreciably more pricey than mine was (new) last July.....obviously they are a good investment :confused:

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Given the uncertainties surrounding this lens and the lack of an official position from Leica, who is going to drop AUD $8500 on this lens. I wouldn't. The retailer conveniently forgets to mention that the lens, according to rumour, has been pulled from production because of unspecified technical difficulties and that production of the same or a revised lens may resume at some point in the future.

 

Gee, if the 50 AA has "technical difficulties," I sure would like to see images captured with an unchallenged lens! :D

 

Or, are you suggesting that Leica can make them, but not turn a profit at $7,300 retail?

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If anyone is interested and genuinely wants to obtain an APO 50 right now this very reputable dealership in Melbourne, Australia is currently listing a lightly used secondhand copy on their website.

 

The Camera Exchange

There is one on ebay which is probably this lens. They want $7,516 US. If they did try before you buy!!!!!

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There seems to be a great deal of cynicism existing currently regarding this lens.

Bit sad really!

 

I agree, and I don't think the publicity has done Leica any favors. IMHO there should be a recall and all lenses should be reworked to the new standard, because there will be an assumption that the earlier lenses are not as good as the later ones. Buyers for used lenses will dissect the serial numbers to determine if a 50 APO lens warrants a lower or higher value. Leica should recognize this and not punish the early adopters, many of whom are their most loyal customers.

 

Now, while there is still an extremely small number of these lenses in the field, is the time for Leica to step up and solve this problem completely.

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Perhaps a thread could be created like a survey where forum members can say they own an APO 50 and then also if they have had it "fixed". They would not need to identify themselves and we could get a count of how many members actually own this lens. I know not everyone would respond but at least we could get some sort of count. There must be more than 60 of these out there. My small volume Leica dealer in Austin had two. Just a thought.

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One estimate told to me is that there are 60.

 

According to the advertisement for the lens currently for sale in Australia it is one of only four ever delivered to this country.

I know this dealership is reputable and in touch, not only with reality, but also with what is going down regarding Leica stuff locally, so that figure almost certainly correct.

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Does anyone know if this lens will be made at the new Leica factory? With increased capacity that should allow Leica to make more APOs, and meet customer demand. This of course will fulfill demand and also affect resale value.

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Given the uncertainties surrounding this lens and the lack of an official position from Leica, who is going to drop AUD $8500 on this lens. I wouldn't. The retailer conveniently forgets to mention that the lens, according to rumour, has been pulled from production because of unspecified technical difficulties and that production of the same or a revised lens may resume at some point in the future.

 

So potentially of value for collectors but not for users.

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So potentially of value for collectors but not for users.

 

I doubt the early versions will be considered "collectible", but rather will fall into the same sort of category as the pre-FLE version of the 35 Summilux ASPH. These early lenses will sell for less than later models, as they will be seen as slightly flawed (rightly or wrongly is debatable), and buyers will not want to take a chance on whether or not a lens has been upgraded. Do we even know what "upgraded" means? Are the lenses that Leica will produce now identical to those that have been repaired by the factory, or were they given some sort of patch to try and reduce they effects of CVF, while the permanent solution is only to be found in new production? So many questions but with this much money at stake for a single lens who would want to take a gamble?

 

I don't own the 50 APO yet, but if sometime this year my wife decides that I really could use another 50mm lens then I would be very careful to only purchase a new lens, and only then if this issue truly is resolved and verified with testing in the field.

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I doubt the early versions will be considered "collectible", but rather will fall into the same sort of category as the pre-FLE version of the 35 Summilux ASPH. These early lenses will sell for less than later models, as they will be seen as slightly flawed (rightly or wrongly is debatable), and buyers will not want to take a chance on whether or not a lens has been upgraded. Do we even know what "upgraded" means? Are the lenses that Leica will produce now identical to those that have been repaired by the factory, or were they given some sort of patch to try and reduce they effects of CVF, while the permanent solution is only to be found in new production? So many questions but with this much money at stake for a single lens who would want to take a gamble?

 

I don't own the 50 APO yet, but if sometime this year my wife decides that I really could use another 50mm lens then I would be very careful to only purchase a new lens, and only then if this issue truly is resolved and verified with testing in the field.

 

I understand Stephen.

 

And I too would not gamble on one of these lenses at the moment - some seem to be fine and others not. It's not like have bag full of crap lenses :rolleyes:

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