I really wonder why it's cheaper than the current FLE. Seems like the right approach is to introduce a new version of a lens and charge a little more for it....not $600 less for a better lens.
In terms of the integrated hood, I'm actually a fan of the currently line screw on hood. Something very sexy about it, and you can remove it for more portability.
I’ve already put down an order for a silver FLE II. I’m now using the ZM 35mm Distagon with M11, and while the image quality is excellent, it doesn’t have a closer MFD. I do a lot of close focusing photos, so this is a welcome change and the FLE II is still lighter than the Distagon.
I wonder why it's cheaper than the current FLE version.
---------------------------------------------
chuhsi1 wrote:
I really wonder why it's cheaper than the current FLE. Seems like the right approach is to introduce a new version of a lens and charge a little more for it....not $600 less for a better lens.
Yes, it does not make sense. Perhaps Leica is more prepared than usual for this one and is betting on higher sales volume. ??
gordec wrote:
In Europe, it's actually more expensive than the current version. Somehow Leica has decided to give the US market a better deal.
In Japan the new versions are also 99K yen more expensive than the previous ones (going by manufacturer's suggested retail prices). Black old/new: 715000 yen / 814000 yen and silver 737000 yen / 836000 yen (all prices including 10% tax).
I guess the weak yen could give them an incentive to charge more for the new versions.
Fred Miranda wrote:
I always enjoy reading Jono's reviews.
Here is an excerpt:
"I've carefully compared the performance with my 35 FLE, and it does seem that the new lens has a slightly more relaxed and gentle bokeh."
Same optical formula but gentler bokeh?? It would be great to see a side by side comparison showing this.
From the official released specs, it's not 1mm shorter and 1mm wider. It's actually the same length and 2mm wider according to Leica. (not that it makes much of a difference)
I just asked him over at Leica Forum, and he responded that he meant the bokeh was more gentle when stopped down, not wide open. Mystery solved
Juha Kannisto wrote:
In Japan the new versions are also 99K yen more expensive than the previous ones (going by manufacturer's suggested retail prices). Black old/new: 715000 yen / 814000 yen and silver 737000 yen / 836000 yen (all prices including 10% tax).
I guess the weak yen could give them an incentive to charge more for the new versions.
chuhsi1 wrote:
I really wonder why it's cheaper than the current FLE. Seems like the right approach is to introduce a new version of a lens and charge a little more for it....not $600 less for a better lens.
I think it's exchange rate related, and perhaps also if in fact the 25% Trump tariff has been removed. In the German video posted on the previous page they commented the new lens is 400 Euro more expensive than the FLE v1, yet here it's $600 less.
There were also some interesting tidbits in the first 20 minutes (as far as I've watched so far):
Peter Karbe was supposed to retire - he is no longer chief lens designer (this was news to me, but I haven't been keeping close tabs on Leica news). But he said there's still a lot to do and he has a new role operating more 'in the background' at Leica.
The optical formula is identical.
The slightly wider diameter of the lens is due to the new focusing mechanism that allows ~180 degree focusing ring rotation within such a short lens. One of the criteria of the focusing design was the the focus pitch/speed remain unaltered from infinity to 70cm, otherwise focus would be too fast and would make it more difficult to quickly focus on something without overshooting. Apparently the focusing mechanism has been patented, so it sounds like it was a significant development. Karbe described it as not necessarily a simpler solution, but a more intelligent one to facilitate the new MFD in virtually the same size lens. Naturally the FLE had to be extended all the way to the new MFD too.
Desmolicious wrote:
The dollar is very strong at the moment vs the Euro.
My Wife was offered a black M11 today in the Leica Store Copenhagen for just $7300. Way less expensive than here. She wanted to buy it for me, but I passed. Still loving my M10-P and I am concerned about shooting 60 mpx without IBIS.
It will give you print as good as the M11 till a respectable size so you are right.
1bwana1 wrote:
and I am concerned about shooting 60 mpx without IBIS.
It works better than expected. With short focals, 1/f or 1/2f is ok. I've been up to 90mm with 1/2f and got good results.
But I shot a few pictures with the 135mm this summer and 1/2f handheld without being extra careful was not enough. But Topaz Sharpen AI fixed it.
I like the idea of the new lens. Since I own the currently available version of the Summilux 35mm with screw on hood, I won't be buying the new one. Besides, my Summilux 35mm sits on the shelf since I also own the APO Summicron 35mm. This lens is my most used lens and the only lens that I take on vacations.
Regards,
Bud James
Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography.
If anywhere else, it would be Portugal where Leica has a facility. Like apparently many Leica products, it might be 'finished' in Germany to qualify for the made in Germany designation. Made in Portugal was how Leica circumvented the 25% tariff on German goods implemented by Trump.
1bwana1 wrote:
My Wife was offered a black M11 today in the Leica Store Copenhagen for just $7300. Way less expensive than here. She wanted to buy it for me, but I passed. Still loving my M10-P and I am concerned about shooting 60 mpx without IBIS.
There are other options to buy from the EU at a later time. For example, the Leica Shop in Austria, though it looks like some things have changed there the past couple years, so not sure if it's as smooth and easy as it used to be.
Maybe Leica US is sitting on a fair amount of older inventory bought at a worse exchange rate? Or they're keeping some padding in retail prices to compensate for future exchange rate fluctuations? But it would be nice to see US prices closer to Euro region exchange rate equivalents. I suppose this is somewhat the case with the new 35. Or maybe not, because the Austrian VAT inclusive price of the new lens is 5650 Euro. Pre-VAT it's ~4700 Euro, which is about the same in USD... so that's still $500 less than US retail.
I recently updated my insurance schedule and the Leica prices here in Canada are crazy compared to ~5 years ago. My 28 Lux is almost double, at just over $10K CA pre-tax, compared to what I paid (slightly used). Looking at Leica Shop's pricing, it's around $7600 CA without VAT. That's a significant difference!
My 28 Lux is almost double, at just over $10K CA pre-tax, compared to what I paid (slightly used). Looking at Leica Shop's pricing, it's around $7600 CA without VAT. That's a significant difference!