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M 240 price increase


JohnJWhite

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Jaap, if this is the case, then so be it. I have quite a few of them, and luckily I bought them at a time when they were expensive but not outrageous. Or as I said, they fall flat on their faces, and learn a little lesson. Maybe they can increase their output with that new factory and get back to earth with their prices.

 

I love Leica as much as anybody, but it is really not justifiable anymore. A good friend of mine, a professional who shoots with three Canon 5D IIIs, has been trying to justify buying an M240 because he enjoys his M6. I don't think a $300 price increase will entice people like him. There may have been a few panic purchases before the price increase, but I bet you anything that more prospective M240 buyers see this like me as a slap in the face.

 

In my opinion, this is a big mistake.

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A $300 increase on a digital camera 2/3 though it's product cycle seems arrogant in the least, but it's really a drop in the bucket. Compare it to the cost of an MP (film) today vs what it was when it first came out ($2300). Yeah yeah, currency valuation yada yada. I know the drill. It's still the same camera though, nothing added feature-wise. Like the 50 Summicron (non APO) is still the same lens it was 15 years ago. At least those hold their value or keep pace. Digital bodies not so much. Whatevs. I'm done buying them new anyway.

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As far as I am aware, it is just the $ price being adjusted in relationship to the Euro. Hardly the end of the world in that case.

It certainly looks that way. It is not a case of the camera having become more expensive; rather it is the USD that buys you less, compared to two years ago. As long as you pay in Euro this is a non-issue.

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Correct me if I am wrong. As far as I am aware, it is just the $ price being adjusted in relationship to the Euro. Hardly the end of the world in that case.

 

Adjusted ? The EURUSD index the day of the M launch was the same as it is today.

 

In my opinion there are two reasons:

  • The $1000 price difference between the M and M-P was psychologically too much. Now it is "just" $700.
  • There will be some used M cameras on the market, sold by people upgrading to M-P. These may cannibalize sales of the M-E. A higher used M price will mitigate this issue.

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But why only the USA?

In 2012 the average Euro/$ rate was about 0.80 in the months that the camera was introduced. Now it is 0.73. It may well be that the Dollar options Leica purchased against the monetary risk have expired.

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My local Leica Dealer has sent out an upgrade price list for trading in your old camera for a new M-P. To upgrade an M240 in good condition for the M-P it will only cost £2000, to take exactly the same photographs that you could when walking into the shop as those you can take when walking out. That is how much a screw costs in Leica land.

 

Steve

 

A screw only costs around 50 quid here in Essex land (sorry!).

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Canon decreases prices for many lenses...

 

Canon Price Drops on L Lenses

 

(They do the same for cameras all the time...).

 

Don't give Canon too much nobility. If they could support a pricing structure like Leica's they would be on it in a moment. It's just that their world is rather different and they have pretty stiff competition. I don't know if Leica does, in its niche anyway. Knowing Leica's financials would be enlightening. :)

 

s-a

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Adjusted ? The EURUSD index the day of the M launch was the same as it is today.

The exchange rate had reached a high in summer 2012 and fluctuations aside it is now considerably lower.

 

The $1000 price difference between the M and M-P was psychologically too much. Now it is "just" $700.

A $1000 price difference has never been intended; it was just that news about the impending price increase in the US broke only after the introduction of the M-P. The actually intended price difference was $700 (500 Euro in Germany). That is, the US price of the M-P was already calculated according to current exchange rates while the price of the M at this point was not.

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My guess is @ Photokina '14 they will come up with a new mirrorless camera, by increasing the price of M240, they will nudge people on fence (like me) to buy M240 to get rid of their existing inventory, it worked for Hasselblad few yrs back. Compared to Nikon, Canon,... they drop their prices, this way repeat customers buy it sooner than later. It is a German thing, couple of months back BMW introduced just 29 special edition M5, only select few were invited to call in a special number at exactly 12:00 EST. Usual price of 2014 M5 is @ $92k while this was @ $141k. That was for only US customer base, It is 30th Anniv edition, model #1 is for their US museum. :)

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My guess is @ Photokina '14 they will come up with a new mirrorless camera, by increasing the price of M240, they will nudge people on fence (like me) to buy M240 to get rid of their existing inventory

The M (Typ 240) is either two years or one and a half year – depending on whether you count from the announcement or the actual roll-out – into its product cycle, which is typically 3 years. It is not going to be replaced anytime soon. If you contemplate buying one you may take your time; there’s no need to hurry. Unless the $300 bothers you, but that has nothing to do with getting rid of inventory.

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I don't think a $300 price increase will entice people like him. There may have been a few panic purchases before the price increase, but I bet you anything that more prospective M240 buyers see this like me as a slap in the face.

 

In my opinion, this is a big mistake.

 

 

I was under the impression that most dealers were selling below retail anyway?

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Leica's pricing policy is out of control. I hope they fall flat on their faces with this kind of nonsense.

 

So do I! I will keep my two M9's a while longer whilst I decide how the divorce will come about, but then eventually save myself a large amount of money via me not buying any more (pairs of) digital Leica's. Sad though after 60 years of investing in products that used to be more reliable, hold value for longer, and whose output quality was arguably superior to anything else out there, but sadly none of that is true any more.Don Morley :mad:

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There's a glut of these bodies available on the used market, ranging anywhere from 5K to $6K, and in perfect condition. Buy out of state and pay no sales tax on it - so why would someone fork an additional $300 over to Leica? They can eat crow.

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But why only the USA?

In 2012 the average Euro/$ rate was about 0.80 in the months that the camera was introduced. Now it is 0.73. It may well be that the Dollar options Leica purchased against the monetary risk have expired.

 

In any case, the exchange rate is sensibly increasing, and I am convinced that regardless of exchange rate, there are other factors at play.

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The price raise is part of the Europe/USA/Japan punishment to Russia, the largest buyers of Leica.

A German camera vendor makes customers in the US pay more with the intent to punish Russia? Yeah, that makes sense.

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My local Leica Dealer has sent out an upgrade price list for trading in your old camera for a new M-P. To upgrade an M240 in good condition for the M-P it will only cost £2000, to take exactly the same photographs that you could when walking into the shop as those you can take when walking out. That is how much a screw costs in Leica land.

 

Steve

 

Try trading in a mint D800 for a D810 and you will get 1/2-1/3 of the original price.

For a fully missing AA and some white spots - wey hey!

It's the same anywhere

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