Leica lens rebate in UK

[tom_uk]

No-one seems to have mentioned the fact that Leica have recently launched a lens rebate programme in the UK. Here's a link:
http://uk.leica-camera.com/news/news/1/6190.html

As you can see it's a 15% rebate, which computes to a significant sum. Indeed, the more you spend the greater the cash value of the rebate. This raises a dilemna. Do I buy the 35mm Summarit which I've been fancying and which I'd almost convinced myself was affordable? (To go with my bare M6TTL + 50mm Summarit.) Or do I look at the previously absolutely-out-of-reach 35mm Summilux? The 15% rebate works out at more than £300 for that lens!

I don't think there's any point in getting the Summicron ASPH over the Summarit: many commentators suggest that the Summarit is pretty much as good as the Summicron, so as long as you can live with the Summarit's slightly slower speed then the Summicron offers little in return for twice the price. But the equation could be different i nthe case of the Summilux.

Except that even though the Summilux is £300 or so cheaper than it was, I still don't have £1900 to spend on a lens! The Summarit it will be.

[telenous]

The rebate is the carrot - there's a stick too. With the new year there will be an increase in all Leica UK prices.

http://www.reddotcameras.co.uk/

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[tom_uk]

Originally Posted by telenous

The rebate is the carrot - there's a stick too. With the new year there will be an increase in all Leica UK prices.

Do we know what the likely price increase will be?

[rocheung]

Even discount 15%, i still think that the summilux is too expensive. Also, i think it is too sharp for portraits. I really hope Leica may issue a non ASPH 35 1.4, not as soft as the pre ASPH when big aperture

I own a 35 summarit. I just post it in another post

[rocheung]

i think even less 15%, it is still very expensive for the summilux 3514. also i think it is too sharp for portrait. I hope leica can issue a non ASPH summilux, but no as soft as the current non asph when large aperture

i have own that summarit. please see the link. it is very good
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=67332

[telenous]

Originally Posted by tom_uk

Do we know what the likely price increase will be?

Tom, I am afraid I don't know. I 'd first ring Red Dot Cameras to see if they are at liberty to disclose anything about that. Have a look also in l-camera-forum.com , there's usually a few people there who know these things.

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[tom_uk]

Well, I bought my 35mm Summarit this morning - £830 or so, and the 15% rebate to come. i haven't used it yet, but it feels good and looks good on the camera. Operationally I think it will be very similar to the 50mm Summarit; the dimensions, both actual and relative (i.e. the position & size of the aperture ring) of the two lenses are almost the same. One rather odd thing: because of the small size of the front element the 35mm give the impression of being smaller than the 50mm, although in fact the latter is very slightly the smaller and lighter of the two.

I spoke to my dealer about the forthcoming price rise. They simply confirmed that it is going to happen, and will be significant. And it's not just Leica - with the downturn in the exchange rates all the manufacturers, including the Japanese, will be pushing up prices. Increases of 15% to 18% were mentioned.

Final point: apparently the price of the D-Lux4 is now under £500. (Though presumably not for long...)