The one thing Leica is
most often criticized for is the cost of their cameras. Subsequently a lot of photographers chose
other makes of cameras because they are so much less expensive. A lot of them are, without doubt, but let’s
take a look at the top models from other manufacturers. After all, you have to go to the very best to
find something that comes at least close to a Leica in terms of performance.
Here is a list of cameras
both medium format and full frame, camera body only, from the same major camera
dealer in descending order, based on price
1 Hasselblad H5D-200c Multi-Shot Medium
Format DSLR $45,000
2 Mamiya 645DF with Leaf Credo Series
80 digital back $28,495
3 Leica S (Type 007) $16,900
4 Leica S-E Medium Format DSLR Camera
(Typ 006) $10,995.00
5 Leica M-P $8,791.20
6 Canon 1D C $7,999
7 Leica SL and Leica M Monochrome $7,450.00
8 Pentax 645Z $6,996.95
9 Nikon D3x $6,999
10 Leica M 240 $6,500
11 Nikon D4S DSLR Camera $5,996.910
12 Leica M-E $4,790.00
That makes Leica look
quite attractive. But what about lenses,
one might ask? Without doubt, Leica
lenses are among the most expensive on the market. But they also present the best performing
line of lenses on the market. One reason
is the way they are made. The bench made
process, employed by Leica, allows for the implementation of much tighter
tolerances which is needed to achieve absolute top performance. This method of production does not allow for
any mass production procedures, all of which is expensive, but it also assures
an unsurpassed level of quality.
In comparison, not all
competitor lenses are of equal performance.
Most other companies make so called kit lenses which are meant to keep
the prices of their camera-lens combinations rather low. These lenses generally are of a rather poor
performance and should not be used for any price comparisons. Instead, take a competitor lens that is made
to much higher quality standards. Even
then you still have a mass produced item with the shortcomings associated with
mass production. Then, if you go beyond
that and take a lens that is sold in only relatively low quantities, with other
words, a lens that is similar in production numbers to Leica lenses and the
cost suddenly rises to similar levels. For instance, take the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm
f/5.6E FL ED VR Lens, and you are looking at $17,997.
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR
But one does not have to
go to such extremes. When it comes to
performance, one manufacturer outside of Leica has definitely a very good
reputation of their own, the company of Zeiss.
Their 55mm f/1.4 Otus Distagon T* lens sells for $3,990. In comparison, the Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux
ASPH has a price of 3,745.
Recent articles on this
blog showed some of the advantages of the Leica digital sensors. Taken any of the Leica cameras equipped with
those sensors, combined with a Leica lens, and you have a camera with
unsurpassed performance with, what turns out to be a competitive price as well.
LEICA PRICES IN OTHER
COUNTRIES
In today's global market
place, buying cameras in different countries is not difficult at all.
Have you ever wondered
what Leicas are selling for in other countries?
It is no secret that prices do vary considerably depending what
continent or what country you are in. I
have often compared prices with my sister who lives in Germany and we have come
to the conclusion that Leica prices in Germany are roughly the same numerically
in euros or dollars. Considering the
exchange rate between the two currencies, that makes Leica equipment definitely
more expensive in Germany than in the US.
This is by no means a very
scientific comparison, but it does display a certain trend. To make comparisons between a large number of
countries is almost impossible, for a variety of reasons. The currency exchange rates often differ from
one day to the next. Prices will also
vary from dealer to dealer and among cities or areas within a country.
A while ago I got help
from a reader of this blog. Torben
Chrona Christiansen publishes the LEICA INDEX (www.leicaindex.com). He did a tremendous amount of research on
this topic. As he explained, it was
virtually impossible to include all countries, nor does he consider his results
totally accurate because of the problems associated with this. He decided to compare prices of the Leica X2
in 21 different countries and after researching the prices in those countries,
he decided to publish the prices based on one particular day, November 21, 2014
and the prevailing exchange rates for that particular day. Since these countries do have currencies of
their own, he also decided to use the US dollar as the currency for the
comparison.
Here are his results from
the least expensive to the most expensive country.
1 Indonesia: $1624
2 United States: $1629
3 Malaysia: $1662
4 Sweden: $1689
5 Hong Kong: $1701
6 Canada: $1727
7 Australia: $1730
8 Japan: $1796
9 United Kingdom: $1884
10 Italy: $1912
11 Spain: $1981
12 Croatia: $2000
13 Netherlands: $2107
14 France: $2170
15 Germany: $2170
16 Denmark: $2294
17 Russia: $2310
18 Taiwan: $2368
19 China: $2384
20 South Africa: $2548
21 Brazil: $2788
That makes for a
difference of $1164 between the lowest and the highest country, a surprisingly
large amount. It seems to be an easy
decision to buy Leica equipment in a country with the lowest prices. But there is more to consider. You will need to examine the warranties and
how they compare, if they are even valid in your country. There will also be some extra cost attached
to buying in another country, where the main extra costs are tax and shipment.
This can in some cases be a very big factor.
You might pay a higher
price if you buy locally, but if something goes wrong, you have your dealer
service to rely on, and, if you are like me, once I have made the decision to
get a new piece of Leica equipment, I want to get my hands on it right
away. Buying locally eliminates the
waiting period for the camera to arrive.
Much to consider.
My thanks to Torben Chrona
Christiansen for giving me permission to use his data for this article.
___________________________________________________________________________
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