Why do you think of the price of the new 50mm Summicron?

[robofc]

Old price: $2295
New 50mm summicron $7195

Porsche 997 Carrera $ 79, 950
Porsche 991 Carrera $ 83,050

[dude163]

in the United States, in 1984 the price of the 911 Carrera was $31,950

[DominikDUK]

Good move Leica knows that it is considered a luxury item and Leica also sells because they have the aura of the exclusive. I am sure that they will sell plenty of lenses to people with money who buy the lens because others can't afford it.

Dominik

[david.elliott]

I think the price makes the 50/1.4 summilux asph much more attractive than it may have been previously.

[Ronald_H]

I think I'd rather buy a Voigtlander lens and a decent second hand car. Or a kitchen. Or a couple of tropical holidays. To make pictures with my old M2 and that new lens. Come to think of it, I really don't need a new Summicron, I already have one. And I very strongly doubt anyone would see the difference with the new one in 99.99% of all cases.

[kzphoto]

At 1/2 the price, maybe. At its current cost, Leica will sell them to the luxist crowd, not the enthusiasts nor the regular users. I'll stick with my 50 Hex.

[EZfan]

Originally Posted by robofc

Old price: $2295
New 50mm summicron $7195

Porsche 997 Carrera $ 79, 950
Porsche 991 Carrera $ 83,050

$2,295 Summicron 50/2 is still in production plus the new APO-Summicron 50 ASPH. You have 2 options to buy depends on your budget or need so don't cry.

[jonnyp]

I am sure it is lovely but it is for the rich folks only!
I will stick to my old kit and enjoy taking pictures with what I can afford.

[mfogiel]

One could say the same about Leica M7 - why is it 7 times more expensive than Bessa R4A, and why therefore nobody would buy it... As far as I am concerned, I use Tri X for most of my photos, and frankly even a Planar 50/2 is an overkill in terms of resolution on this film, however, if I had a 50MP digital M, perhaps the new Summicron WOULD make a lot of difference, and I think this is precisely why it has been produced.

[muser53]

Rotflmao

For that price I 'd rather stock up on plenty of film or SD cards!

[hellomikmik]

Your prices are wrong, you should put them in Yens, not dollars. In any case, it will be "out of stock" in usa. I think. But don't get me wrong people, I like USA.

[leica M2 fan]

I don't and can't pay more than $2500 for any one piece of photo equipment so for me, No. But I'm real happy with my M2 and Bessa R2A and they were priced reasonably for most people, IMO.

[jaapv]

So if you think it is too expensive for what it is - btw I disagree, it is just too expensive for me- there is always the option of a Summarit, a Summicron “classic” which has NOT been discontinued, or any secondhand Leica, Zeiss, CV or even Nikon or Canon RF lens. Or if you want to spend no more than 30 $, a Jupiter.

[Speedfreak]

I wonder how many working professionals or enthusiasts are able to throw away that amount of cash?

Will any customer pay a premium for a few % better edge definition? I wont.

[DRabbit]

I think we'll see a lot of mediocre photos of rich-people's cats. :P~

It's too expensive for me. And even if I could afford it, I'd be afraid to take it anywhere.

[Livesteamer]

I am sure it is better but... I can't help thinking of the law of diminishing returns. Pay a lot more for a little better. Joe

[Phil_F_NM]

Ridiculous.

Phil Forrest

[jsrockit]

I must have one... so my two photo friends can think I'm so cool! (jokes)

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by Speedfreak

I wonder how many working professionals or enthusiasts are able to throw away that amount of cash?

Will any customer pay a premium for a few % better edge definition? I wont.

Go to any local camera store that carries them and they will tell you how many people have already put in a pre-order. The world is very big. Even if only 0.000001% of the population want it. That's still a lot of people.

[albygentle]

Maybe it is priced high but then again, you don't have to buy it. I am sure it will sell well regardless... it is a beautiful lens.

Seal will probably get one..

[rxmd]

Someone should really start a thread about it.

[Clancycoop]

Originally Posted by Araakii

Go to any local camera store that carries them and they will tell you how many people have already put in a pre-order. The world is very big. Even if only 0.000001% of the population want it. That's still a lot of people.

That's only 70 people, but I get your point.
70 lenses = about $500k.

[Araakii]

Originally Posted by Livesteamer

I am sure it is better but... I can't help thinking of the law of diminishing returns. Pay a lot more for a little better. Joe

To those who can afford it, money/cash has even higher diminishing returns. Once all your lusts are taken care of, there's very little an extra $10,000 can do for you.

[PMCC]

Originally Posted by Araakii

Once all your lusts are taken care of, there's very little an extra $10,000 can do for you.

I'm sure one could blow 10K on something worthwhile beyond pure amusement. Just takes a little imagination.

[J. Borger]

Leica just made what they can make like no other: the best 50mm lens technical possible. Nobody is forced to buy it. It is a flagship product which helps maintain the company's image as a first class innovative lensbuilder. In that sense it is a very wise marketing decision to build it. Will it sell?? Does not matter!
The "only for the rich and famous" and "for collector's and not for photographers" arguments float the net after every single productintroduction by Leica.
Point is the rich and famous buy only the best they can afford and in the long history of photography there are only very few serious photographers who never owned or used a Leica. Often only for personal work.
So if you can not afford: look at the 2nd hand market or buy Zeiss or Voightlander and be happy. I admire Ferrari for the way they build their cars, without envy not being able to afford one. Waite.... if i would sell my house i could even afford two of them.
So it is also about priorities in life.
For the record: i will not buy the new 50 summicron!!