Leica responds to S2 price criticism

By LR admin | Published: July 31, 2009

Leica Camera’s Vice President of Marketing Christian Erhardt talked to PDN Gear Guide:

“People always forget when looking at the camera the fact that it’s actually a medium format solution with a sensor that is 56% larger than a full-frame 35mm digital SLR, many people have been comparing it to SLR cameras and there are certain features (on the S2) that just cannot be compared to a DSLR.”

He went further to comment on the Leica S2 AF system:

“Speed was a primary concern when we designed this product,” he said. “We believe we will have the fastest autofocus in the medium format category, the fastest frame rate, and the fastest image processing.”

Posted in Leica S | 14 Comments

Leica S2 availability notification

By LR admin | Published: July 31, 2009

You can register to receive email notifications for Leica S2 availability @ B&H.

leica-s2-availability

Posted in Leica S | Leave a Comment

Leica S2 system US pricing

By LR admin | Published: July 30, 2009

David Farkas of Dale Photo & Digital has posted the following information on the Leica Users Forum:

Hi everyone. Well, it is now past midnight here on the East Coast which means I am no longer bound by the July 30th embargo (although I’ve only had this info for about six hours).

So, here’s the official USA info:

Bodies: (Oct 09)
S2 Camera Body – $22,995
S2-P Body with Sapphire LCD Cover Glass and Platinum Service Package – $27,995

Accessories:
Multi Function Handgrip S $1,295 (Jan 10)
Battery Charger (spare/extra) $399

Service Packages for Bodies:
S-Body Premium Service $1,495
S-Body Platinum Service $3,795

Lenses:
Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH $4,495 (Oct 09)
Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH CS $5,995 (Nov 09)
APO-Tele-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 $6,495 (Oct 09)
APO-Tele-Elmar-S 180mm f/3.5 CS $7,495 (Nov 09)
APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 $6,495 (Nov 09)
APO-Macro-Summarit-S 120mm f/2.5 $7,495 (Nov 09)
Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH $5,295 (Dec 09)
Summarit-S 35mm f/2.5 ASPH CS $5,995 (Dec 09)
Service Packages for Lenses:
S-Lens Premium Service $495
S-Lens Platinum Service $995

Bodies and lenses come with a transferable (first for Leica) warranty, whcih can be extended through purchase of one of the service packages. We are still waiting on some more details to come.

Posted in Leica S | 2 Comments

Leica to open a new flagship store in Mayfair (London)

By LR admin | Published: July 30, 2009

The store will be opened in September 2009, right before the launch of the Leica S2.

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Leica Press Release

LEICA STORE MAYFAIR TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER 2009

Leica is joining many other premium brands and launching its own store in September 2009.

The Leica facility will comprise a ground floor retail store showcasing and selling the full Leica range of products, first floor offices, a Leica Akademie training and demonstration centre and a Leica S-System studio. The location will be in Bruton Place, Mayfair, situated between Old Bond Street and Berkeley Square, London W1.

John Barron, Leica Store commercial manager, said, Bruton Place is a unique and discreet location surrounded by galleries, restaurants, offices, boutiques and residential properties, and attracts an eclectic mix of customers. We are particularly pleased to be opening here, as the atmosphere will be perfect for Leica enthusiasts, professional photographers and new customers alike.

The Leica Store Mayfair and the first floor facilities are set to complement other Leica Dealers and grow the brand in the UK. In particular, the S-System studio will be fundamental to the launch of our first ultra high-end digital system developed for the professional market.

Opening hours of the store will be 10.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday, and 10.00 to 15.00 on Saturdays. Office, training facilities and studio will be by appointment only.

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Posted in Leica S | Tagged | 2 Comments

£15,996! ($26,000)

By LR admin | Published: July 29, 2009

leica-s-system

Press Release (UK):

Leica has published the suggested retail prices for its new Leica S-System and confirmed October 2009 as the first month for UK availability. The S-System, which sits at the very top end of the digital photography spectrum, will be offered at a very competitive starting price of £15,996 (SRP, body only).

The Leica S-System has been well documented since its launch at Photokina in 2008, and now the release of pricing and availability information brings the world’s high end photo community another important step closer to one of the most significant photo developments in the digital era.

Leica has also confirmed that it will be marketing a series of specialised camera and lens user support/service packages for the S-System and further details will be released soon.

Jon Sareen, UK commercial manager, Leica S-System, commented, The eagerly-anticipated Leica S-System is a very new and different challenge for Leica Camera Ltd, in comparison to other products in our range. We have engaged new experts, and arrangements regarding leasing and rental facilities are well under way. Service and support will be very hot topics for Leica S-System users, and we can confirm that we are planning a rapid third party UK solution, to work in conjunction with our head office in Germany.

First announced in September last year, the Leica S-System redefines the professional DSLR class with a custom 37.5-megapixel, 30 x 45 mm sensor built into a 35mm-sized body.
Leica S-System 2009 range pricing details Leica S2 Black £15,996
Leica S2-P Black * £19,092
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH £3,096
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH CS £4,025
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 £4,541
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 CS £5,160
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 £4,541
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 CS £5,160
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH £3,612
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH CS £4,231
Multifunction handgrip S £851
Professional battery charger S £258

* Includes Sapphire Glass monitor screen and S-Body Platinum Service (more details to follow)
CS = Central Shutter Lens
Prices include VAT at 15%, 30 July 2009

Posted in Leica S | 10 Comments

Leica M9 price: US$7,700?

By LR admin | Published: July 28, 2009

This rumor comes from a Leica dealer in Hong Kong:

“M9 coming announcement September 2009, probably from Germany 20,000,000 pixels and hk$60,000 (roughly us$7,700)”

Posted in Leica M9 | 5 Comments

Only for golfers: Leica Pinmaster Rangefinder (part 2)

By LR admin | Published: July 27, 2009

The previously rumored white Leica Pinmaster rangefinder for golf is now almost official:

  • measures distances up to 820 yards
  • 7x magnification
  • price: £469

leica-pinmaster-golf

leica-pinmaster-golf-2

Source

Posted in Other Leica Stuff | Leave a Comment

Rebate on Leica M lenses in the US

By LR admin | Published: July 26, 2009

leica-m-lenses-rebate

Leica offers a rebate on the Leica M lenses in the US:

Leica Press Release

Buy A New M-Lens* And Save!

Save from $200 to $500

07/16/2009

Leica Camera Inc. is offering customers who purchase selected M-Lenses* a mail-in rebate. The mail-in rebate amounts vary from $200 to $500. This promotion started on May 1, 2009 and ends on August 14, 2009.

The mail-in rebate for a brand new Leica M-Lens* is:

$5,000 and more and get $500 back (mail-in rebate)
$4,000 to $4,999 and get $400 back (mail-in rebate)
$3,000 to $3,999 and get $300 back (mail-in rebate)
$1,000 to $2,999 and get $200 back (mail-in rebate)

The mail-in rebates is based on the MSP of the M-Lens purchased. The purchase price of the M-Lens must be the MSP in the latest 2009 price list. A customer will not be entitled to a rebate if the lens wasn’t new and/or imported by Leica Camera Inc.

This promotion is only valid for brand new lenses imported by Leica Camera Inc. and sold through an authorized Leica dealer in North America. The mail-in rebate offer is based on the MSP in the latest 2009 price list.

To qualify for the mail-in rebate, a customer must submit a mail-in rebate form, warranty card and a copy of the sales receipt. All mail-in rebates must be received by August 31, 2009. Processing of registration and mail-in rebate will take a minimum of 8 weeks from time of receipt.

For more information on the M-Lens* mail-in rebate promotion, contact your nearest authorized Leica dealer.

*The following lenses – 50mm/f0.95, 21mm/f.14 and 24/f.14 are excluded from the mail-in rebate promotion.

Posted in Deals, Leica Lenses | Leave a Comment