Thambar to be discontinued

[mole73]

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Meister Camera lists the Thambar to be discontinued in the near future. 

They notice a total production output of only 1200 pieces, so the M-version will obviously be much rarer than its ancestor, the screw mount model with 3000 pieces.

[Gobert]

I can imagine. It’s a strange thing. Very, very niche.

[wattsy]

Not very surprising (other than Leica made as many as 1200).

[pedaes]

2 hours ago, wattsy said:

1200).

Probably 999 still in stock.

[mike3996]

Collectors and investors, it's time  to act! 😎

[mole73]

vor 17 Stunden schrieb Gobert:

I can imagine. It’s a strange thing. Very, very niche.

You‘re right, but a lovely thing 😉 After some rolls I‘ve fallen in love with this black paint beauty. 

[LocalHero1953]

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17 hours ago, Gobert said:

I can imagine. It’s a strange thing. Very, very niche.

Depends on your viewpoint. So is the Leica M to most camera owners.😉

[darylgo]

The glossy black finish is a thing of beauty, and it has silky smooth mechanics.  I’ll never part with mine, I’m continuing to experiment with filters to get a similar look but nothing has worked so far, nor has software with negative clarity or haze.  Maybe lens baby. 
 

Could Leica have intended a limited production?  The price would indicate this, the packaging Noctilux like, luxurious.  The rumored reintroduction of the 50/1.2 is 100 copies.  

[mole73]

vor 38 Minuten schrieb darylgo:

The glossy black finish is a thing of beauty, and it has silky smooth mechanics.  I’ll never part with mine, I’m continuing to experiment with filters to get a similar look but nothing has worked so far, nor has software with negative clarity or haze.  Maybe lens baby. 
 

Could Leica have intended a limited production?  The price would indicate this, the packaging Noctilux like, luxurious.  The rumored reintroduction of the 50/1.2 is 100 copies.  

When Leica introduced the Thambar-M in 2017 it was listed as a „regular“ lens. But in the interview with Mr. von Oeynhausen and Mr. Netopil they mentioned that Leica would be aware of the fact, that this would be a very special lens with only a small customer base.

[LocalHero1953]

I suspect that all Leica lenses are made in batches. It then becomes a question of whether demand is sufficient to make further batches. Perhaps in this case demand is so low after the first batch that they've simply put all the tooling and spares in the long term store cupboard.

[jaapv]

A good way to get in a bunch of money quick - they will sell like hot cakes - to investors.

[willeica]

There are quite a few of them about . See list on the right hand side of the linked piece.

https://collectiblend.com/Lenses/Leitz/90mm-f2.2-Thambar-(SM).html

The original LTM model is the one most collectors would go for. It is about 5 years since one hit a really high price at auction. In the past the prices for this item have been cyclical, however.

It is probably too soon to judge what might happen as regards the M mount version.

William

 

[darylgo]

1 hour ago, mole73 said:

When Leica introduced the Thambar-M in 2017 it was listed as a „regular“ lens. But in the interview with Mr. von Oeynhausen and Mr. Netopil they mentioned that Leica would be aware of the fact, that this would be a very special lens with only a small customer base.

It will be interesting to see what Leica does going forward with the retro lenses, if they remain in the line up as regular lenses or get discontinued.  What Leica does is often surprising and mysterious... and fun.  Like the stock market, many try to prognosticate, few see the blindsides. 
 

[luigi bertolotti]

Uhm... sure if they clearly intend to mean that Leica will cease its production ?  On such precious items communication has to be tuned carefully... 😉

- They say that Leica made around 1200 ....which can be true at the moment (two batches of 600 ? Who knows... ask Leica... I doubt they answer 🤥)

- They say it's "run out"... in the context of a "lasting of stock "

- Other well known dealers list it as "available" or "orderable" ; Official Leica on line store say nothing about.. and the Italian Online Store even proposes a 36 months financing at 0% interest on it (through a local well known Consumer Financing Company)

This can be interpreted as THEY (Meister) have/had a stock of the item, which is next to end so it's the right moment to buy ("Save 500 €"...),  also giving the "message" that there will be no more than 1200 items made...     

All of this is not unfair from a private dealer... it's marketing... what Leica will plan on the matter is another thing... how many of the 1200 or so have flown from sale channel to users (better to say... "buyers"... 😉) ? They will surely keep track .. and will decide consequently if make or not another batch and at which price and packaging, in case (do you remember Noctilux f1 "the last 100"  ? 😄)

 

Edited November 29, 2020 by luigi bertolotti

[Simone_DF]

On 11/29/2020 at 9:23 AM, darylgo said:

The glossy black finish is a thing of beauty, and it has silky smooth mechanics.  I’ll never part with mine, I’m continuing to experiment with filters to get a similar look but nothing has worked so far, nor has software with negative clarity or haze.  Maybe lens baby. 

You should try the Lensbaby Velvet 85mm

[Herr Barnack]

I have never really understood the attraction that some have for the Thambar, but I hate to see any M lens be put out to pasture.

[tiffany.watt]

9 hours ago, Herr Barnack said:

I have never really understood the attraction that some have for the Thambar, but I hate to see any M lens be put out to pasture.

There are a lot of pics -most - taken with it that I really don't understand too. I think you really need to know what subjects work with it and know how to dose the effect to get the best out of it. Once you learn that, it can be a magical lens.

I am biased but I think my (step)dad used to take wonderful pictures of trees with his. I think he posted some here.

Tiff.

[Dr No]

It seems odd but I think it was quite clever and it was more successful that I had thought.

It was a bold statement and one which opened up interest to their fascinating back catalogue of lenses and sat well with their M marketing as the tool for artists.

The M systems ongoing value is largely propped up by it's collectability so these projects of scarcity, oddity and rarity all contribute.

[pedaes]

33 minutes ago, Dr No said:

opened up interest to their fascinating back catalogue

Let's hope they follow through on the rumored next two.

https://leicarumors.com/2020/08/23/new-leica-rumors-two-new-vintage-historical-heritage-lenses-and-a-new-m10-p-black-painted-special-edition-camera.aspx/

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Arrow]

The Thambar has actually become my most used M lens  

No Thambar, no Thambarinos!

Edited December 1, 2020 by Arrow