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M9 and used Leica lens prices


eleskin

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Well, sooner or later there will be an M9 in our future. My question is what will happen to the prices of used Leica M lenses when the M9 is released. My guess is the M lenses will hold their value, or even increase in price if possible (Used Noctilux for example).

 

I believe prices my increase especially if the problems with the M8 have been solved (crop factor and better high ISO performance). Here, many pros that have used M film cameras in the past and have become married to DSLR's may fall in love with Leica all over again. They will still use DSLR's, but will seriously consider the digital M because of its small size and quality. We must remember what made Leica popular from the beginning. Small size and quality. It was true in the 1920's and is stlll so today.

 

This will create a high demand for the M lenses, and virtually insure Leica's survival in the years to come.

 

I could see 3 cameras. The M9 Full Frame, the M8 with the crop, and a new digital version of the CL for those with smaller finances. That combined with the S2 would be a wonderful combination. We also cannot rule out a digital solution for the R lenses.

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Well, sooner or later there will be an M9 in our future. My question is what will happen to the prices of used Leica M lenses when the M9 is released. My guess is the M lenses will hold their value, or even increase in price if possible (Used Noctilux for example).

 

I believe prices my increase especially if the problems with the M8 have been solved (crop factor and better high ISO performance). Here, many pros that have used M film cameras in the past and have become married to DSLR's may fall in love with Leica all over again. They will still use DSLR's, but will seriously consider the digital M because of its small size and quality. We must remember what made Leica popular from the beginning. Small size and quality. It was true in the 1920's and is stlll so today.

 

This will create a high demand for the M lenses, and virtually insure Leica's survival in the years to come.

 

I could see 3 cameras. The M9 Full Frame, the M8 with the crop, and a new digital version of the CL for those with smaller finances. That combined with the S2 would be a wonderful combination. We also cannot rule out a digital solution for the R lenses.

 

I think you will find that a somewhat reduced price M8.2 will be the entry level camera. I don't expect thee will ever be a digital CL ;)

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A future M camera will likely address one or more of the following:

 

- Full Frame

- Improved High ISO

- Reduced IR Sensitivity

- Updated electronics (processing speed, size, power consumption)

- Improved viewfinder (one can but hope)

- Reduced size

- Price

 

Some are in any case mutually exclusive but we'll see on 09/09 what the mix is.

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I think some lenses will go up in value the 50 for one I think the 28 will lose some luster the 24 will go up the 75 down . My guesses. David

 

I agree completely. The only one I would add is the price of a good used 35 Summicron will go up... both version IV and ASPH. I'd buy one now if you don't already have one. Same is true for the 90 Summicron and Elmarit M. In fact both of these lenses have gone up $100 to $200 in the past month at some notable Leica dealers.

 

Tom

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Unless the M9 can't attract a large number of newbies, I don't see how it will really affect the used lens market ... the M9 buyers will be the same ones who have bought M8 and/or the M8.2.

 

Just my .02 of course.

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Unless the M9 can't attract a large number of newbies, I don't see how it will really affect the used lens market ... the M9 buyers will be the same ones who have bought M8 and/or the M8.2.

 

Just my .02 of course.

 

Even if the buyers only consisted of previous M8x owners, many might consider an adjustment in their lens line-up to take advantage of FF.

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Unless the M9 can't attract a large number of newbies, I don't see how it will really affect the used lens market ... the M9 buyers will be the same ones who have bought M8 and/or the M8.2.

 

Just my .02 of course.

 

That's true except for the 35mm. Traditionally one of the most used lens of film M's, but of reduced popularity on the M8. Also the 135mm lens will have some interest.

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Even if the buyers only consisted of previous M8x owners, many might consider an adjustment in their lens line-up to take advantage of FF.

 

But many of those M8 owners will have been film M users, so they'll already have all the lenses they need/want. I class myself as one of those.

 

I'm curious about the 135mm. It was never a very popular lens on the film Ms, why would it be popular on a full frame M9?

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Well, sooner or later there will be an M9 in our future. My question is what will happen to the prices of used Leica M lenses when the M9 is released. My guess is the M lenses will hold their value, or even increase in price if possible (Used Noctilux for example).

 

I believe prices my increase especially if the problems with the M8 have been solved (crop factor and better high ISO performance). Here, many pros that have used M film cameras in the past and have become married to DSLR's may fall in love with Leica all over again. They will still use DSLR's, but will seriously consider the digital M because of its small size and quality. We must remember what made Leica popular from the beginning. Small size and quality. It was true in the 1920's and is stlll so today.

 

This will create a high demand for the M lenses, and virtually insure Leica's survival in the years to come.

 

I could see 3 cameras. The M9 Full Frame, the M8 with the crop, and a new digital version of the CL for those with smaller finances. That combined with the S2 would be a wonderful combination. We also cannot rule out a digital solution for the R lenses.

 

Hedge your bets. Buy a 50 lux asph now, it will go up if the M9 will be full frame.

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When the M8 came out, of course we saw a significant increase in the prices of many M lenses. Think I paid around $1,400 for a 35 summilux-asph the summer before the launch. When I sold it a few months after the launch for $2,300.

I just don't see anything like that happening when an M9 comes out. Never again, in fact, unless Leica figures out a way to grow its market.

But I guess you could make an argument that eventually all of those used M8s and M8.2s will become the company's entry level camera. As those drop lower in price, it could open up the lens market for new buyers and put some demand pressure on used lenses.

That requires, of course, that those M8s and M8.2s demonstrate some durability and long-term life.

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I expect to see some movement in lens prices as some former M8 users (myself included) will for the first time see the full frame performance of their lenses. Some lenses, that deliver good results in the (sweet spot) cropped center on the M8, will reveal flaws on the M9 as their corner performance will become much more important.

 

Sean (Reid): If there is to be a full frame M9, will you redo your lens tests? I, for one, would appreciate that.

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But isn't the M9 supposed to be AF with live-view, matrix metering and auto-aperture coupling? Won't this make 'legacy' lenses obsolete and cause the price to plummet as the hordes rush to by the new lenses, dumping their old ones to help finance the new? :rolleyes:

 

Seriously though, I can't see much, if any, effect upon lens prices if the future-M is FF. Film 'M's use the same lenses as the M8 does at present. :)

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... the M9 buyers will be the same ones who have bought M8 and/or the M8.2.

 

Just my .02 of course.

 

It's not even worth that much, I'm afraid. That assertion is monotheistic digiphile piffle. :rolleyes:

 

I never bought an M8, but if the M9 addresses the reasons that stopped me from doing so, I will happily sell my granny for one.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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A future M camera will likely address one or more of the following:

 

- Full Frame

- Improved High ISO

- Reduced IR Sensitivity

- Updated electronics (processing speed, size, power consumption)

- Improved viewfinder (one can but hope)

- Reduced size

- Price

 

Some are in any case mutually exclusive but we'll see on 09/09 what the mix is.

 

I was already told that the viewfinder will not be changed at all. My firm conviction is that we will see an M7 type viewfinder. As demonstrated elsewhere, and confirmed by Leica, the increased accuracy over the M8 due to the larger magnification will go a long way to solving any problems encountered up till now. Don't forget Leica has learned a lot over the last few years about tightening up the rangefinder tolerances, as evidenced by the virtually non-existent number of complaints now as opposed to the flood in 2007.

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This is not correct. Leica has never designed a "crop-sensor" RF lens. Although almost all lenses perform better in the center, there are no examples that I'm aware of from Leica like the allegedly FX 70-200mm Nikkor that turned out to have very real FX coverage issues.

 

I expect to see some movement in lens prices as some former M8 users (myself included) will for the first time see the full frame performance of their lenses. Some lenses, that deliver good results in the (sweet spot) cropped center on the M8, will reveal flaws on the M9 as their corner performance will become much more important.

 

Sean (Reid): If there is to be a full frame M9, will you redo your lens tests? I, for one, would appreciate that.

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