cost and discontinuation?

[PetPhoto]

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Got an email about the sigma BF clone of the CL  being released this year.  Also in that email lots of places are knocking the cost of the remaining inventories of CL camera kits with a lens apparently, down to 2,000$ USD.    ANyone think if the camera had been given that more reasonable price at the outset, that the sales would have actually kept it in production and have kept Leica AG  making improvements to it?

[la1402]

Either that or (this being Leica) provide a better feature set: There is nothing really wrong (we have it and like it), but even at the time of introduction capabilities where a bit lackluster compared to the competition, even without considering the steep price. The form factor is perfect for travel and I would by a CL2 with state of the art features in an instant.

[Le Chef]

If you’re interested there are many threads about the demise of the CL on this forum and others that are worth reading. What the camera lacked was development to keep it competitive. Sadly Leica walked away from a camera that had good “bones” and the APS-C format in general.

i still have mine and a bag full of lenses and enjoy using the to this day.

[GFW2-SCUSA]

I have said on this forum several times that I think Leica's discontinuation of the CL was a terrible mistake. I can find few faults with it and use mine often. I also use M10R, M10M, Sl2 so I am well verese in Leica's offerings. The CL should have been kept and improved where needed. It was built like a true Leica and perforemed as such. 

[AdjusterBrett]

Companies tend to follow Focus and Performance.  Both the CL and the TL failed on both accounts.  The FOCUS of Leica did not include them (for better or worse), and the performance (sales, not picture taking ability) was dismal.  I LOVE my TL2 - if the viso 120 wasn't so darned expensive and fragile - it would never leave my bag.  I also think that making HIGH END APS-C lenses is just not a winning strategy, especially considering the quality being put out by Sigma (and others) in the realm.  

[edstock]

I bought my CL and the kit 18 f2.8 asph shortly after the release from Leica USA. I paid somewhere between 1800-2000 for the kit. I love this camera as I use my M lenses with the Leica adapter.