The Russian website Ria News reports that the new Zenit M camera could be/is a limited edition with only 500 pieces produced:
“However, this is not a limited edition with new features, but cameras in limited design, exclusive packaging with an individual number.” Circulation of this camera is extremely limited. “Only 500 pieces of Zenitar 1.0 / 35 cameras and lenses available for purchase in Russia and Europe” the source said.
This would make so much more sense. The Ria News article goes even further:
He clarified that this is only one of the projects to produce a camera.
“We will analyze the experience gained and decide which camera will be next, perhaps it will be a SLR camera, and perhaps a more advanced rangefinder,” the factory representative explained.
The price mentioned in the article (€5,000 – €6,000) is even higher than what was previously reported (€4,500 – €5,000):
“By default, the Leica camera can not stand in the price segment with mass production cameras, Leica has an equal sign between its name and the word” quality. “They (Leica.) Have passed all the necessary technical parameters that we pledged to observe in Taking into consideration this, the price for the Zenit camera will be in the premium segment from five to six thousand euros,” the source said.
The last paragraph confirms that the Zenit M is made by Leica and the Zenitar 35mm f/1.0 lens is made in Russia:
According to him, Leica is the manufacturer of the camera, the supplier of components, as the OEM (original equipment manufacturer), whereas the lens is completely made from Russian raw materials and is assembled at the Krasnogorsk plant.
