SL3 Availability

[thebarnman]

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I'm thinking about getting one along with a SL lens (35mm or 50mm not sure what one yet...)  But I'm thinking in terms of early next year around March or so.  That's more than six months from now and should be at that time available soon after ordering or may be simply available at my local Leica dealer (not Leica store.)  

[beewee]

I’ve been told by a trusted seller that they’ve been trickling into North America from Wetzlar at a steady pace every 2 weeks. So it seems the production line is fairly stable.

[BernardC]

8 hours ago, thebarnman said:

I read somewhere historically for Leica products it takes about six months before stores have a supply that don't sell out right away.  

That's for M cameras and lenses. L-mount supply tends to stabilize faster.

[SoarFM]

On 5/10/2024 at 3:40 AM, Adrian92 said:

Always go for the trusted dealer! Doing the same thing here. Nothing more valuable than good service when you really need it! 

I think Leica Camera USA could be considered a trusted dealer. If you have a warranty problem with your camera, no “respected dealer” is going to offer you anything that your country’s Leica Corporate country representative will not. I’m guessing any warranty work/replacement must be authorized at that level. Trusted dealers are nice if you can walk in the door to touch and examine what you are considering to buy, or perhaps you can always get to the top of a waiting list if you have a big spending history (a Leica whale?) at a given store.  If you have ever brought an item to a Leica Store for servicing, even a CLA, they ship it off to the Leica Service center for your country, who might even pass it off to Wetzlar. Nobody ever brags about how fast the turnaround is, no matter whether you sent it direct or through your trusted dealer. That being said, when I have walked into a Leica store and handled or tried a piece of equipment, I always buy that piece through them, always.

[reddogrock]

The best way to get a SL3 camera is to download the HotStock app and list the SL3. When you get a message that an SL3 is available at Leicacamerausa act quickly. Many of the Leica stores tell you that they’re maintaining lists…truth is they’re working off their friends and family orders first. Good Luck!

[FlashGordonPhotography]

30 minutes ago, reddogrock said:

The best way to get a SL3 camera is to download the HotStock app and list the SL3. When you get a message that an SL3 is available at Leicacamerausa act quickly. Many of the Leica stores tell you that they’re maintaining lists…truth is they’re working off their friends and family orders first. Good Luck!

More likely if you've spent years cultivating a relationship with a store you get some way towards the top of the list as they know you're a serious long term client. The type they want to keep. I get that people want a good price and shop around but that ignores the advantages of a store/client relationship.

Gordon

[thebarnman]

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16 hours ago, BernardC said:

That's for M cameras and lenses. L-mount supply tends to stabilize faster.

Why would that be?  Is there more of a demand for M equipment, or does it take longer to manufacturer them when compared to SL products?    

[lightsourcekauai]

13 hours ago, SoarFM said:

I’m guessing any warranty work/replacement must be authorized at that level. Trusted dealers are nice if you can walk in the door to touch and examine what you are considering to buy, or perhaps you can always get to the top of a waiting list if you have a big spending history (a Leica whale?) at a given store.  If you have ever brought an item to a Leica Store for servicing, even a CLA, they ship it off to the Leica Service center for your country, who might even pass it off to Wetzlar. Nobody ever brags about how fast the turnaround is, no matter whether you sent it direct or through your trusted dealer

This. I am having a replacement for my 21 APO SL purchased through Leica Store San Francisco, and nothing can be done until Leica Service Center (Leica USA?) in New Jersey has the original box, packaging, pouch, lens hood, and etc… Evidently,  Leica NJ has to authorize the replacement, and we (me and Leica SF) are waiting to hear when a new 21 comes out of the factory so I can have a wide angle lens again. I was even told by the Service Center that normal— and expected— protocol for replacements is to return the product to the dealer where the product was purchased.  And to send directly to Leica USA if the item was purchased online at Leicacamerausa.

Edited June 2, 2024 by lightsourcekauai

[BernardC]

8 hours ago, thebarnman said:

Why would that be?  Is there more of a demand for M equipment, or does it take longer to manufacturer them when compared to SL products?    

M sales are much more peaky. There's a huge initial demand for any new body, and then a 4 year wait for the next all-new body. It's similar with lenses, everybody wants the latest release. It would be impractical for them to make tons of bodies the first year and then have highly skilled workers do nothing for the 3 years.

The SL system is a lot steadier. That's partly because they have two lines (high-res and high-speed), but also because it has a slower ramp-up. You'll read lots of comments here from people who are waiting for the SL3 to prove itself before they buy it.

[StoneLeica24]

any more updates on availability?

[Ken Abrahams]

My friend has been waiting since March. He has his name on a list with local camera outlet which sells Leica. He was told 6 weeks but it seems only one or two cameras arrive every month or so. I hope some units come soon for him. 
 

Ken 

[Spazmataz]

3 hours ago, StoneLeica24 said:

any more updates on availability?

It would seem my hypothesis regarding SL3 availability being "over the hump" was premature (see my May 30 post, post #115).

SL3 availability remains sparse. The leicacamerausa.com site has been offering some once every 1 to 3 weeks, but the availability only lasts for hours, if not minutes (except for that one day, late last May.)

Earlier today, the SL3 was available on leicacamerausa.com, but it only lasted 8 or 9 minutes.

Edited June 19, 2024 by Spazmataz

[Photoworks]

Peter is selling a used one in NYC

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1862458/0?keyword=Leica#16574969

 

[rfunnell]

9 hours ago, Ken Abrahams said:

My friend has been waiting since March. He has his name on a list with local camera outlet which sells Leica. He was told 6 weeks but it seems only one or two cameras arrive every month or so. I hope some units come soon for him. 
 

Ken 

Same here Ken been waiting since March as well the M11-P is getting a lot of love.

[Ken Abrahams]

I know CE had a long list of names on the wait list, it’s just a matter of time for your name to come up Ross. 

[Jonathan Levin]

I ordered sl3 and 24-90 and a bunch of peripherals yesterday from B and H and gave them payment info which SUPPOSEDLY puts me on a priority list. All items except the camera are in stock and being held until camera arrives. Hopefully less than a few weeks????

[Avatar]

1 hour ago, Jonathan Levin said:

I ordered sl3 and 24-90 and a bunch of peripherals yesterday from B and H and gave them payment info which SUPPOSEDLY puts me on a priority list. All items except the camera are in stock and being held until camera arrives. Hopefully less than a few weeks????

Check your PM!

[Adrian92]

Here in the Netherlands there have been two major stores with 1 in stock for a little while. Since I’m on the list at my local camera dealer (and payed already) the wait continues! I placed my order in march. The camera dealer tells me that Leica isn’t very willing to share anything about numbers and dates. They tell them to just wait. 

[jaapv]

Yeah It is usually better to shop around. However if you cancel your order you should be refunded. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Alvin Greis]

Today’s morning it was in Leica online shop (in Austria) and still available now with 2-3 days delivery across Europe. 

Edited June 20, 2024 by Alvin Greis