What makes leica expensive?

I just recently run through images created by leica cameras. For me the images have different look compared to canon images although i dont know how to describe it. For me i cant say it is superior to canon, but just different taste. The leica's very good but does it deserve the pricetags?

ICarumba wrote in post #16292469
I just recently run through images created by leica cameras. For me the images have different look compared to canon images although i dont know how to describe it. For me i cant say it is superior to canon, but just different taste. The leica's very good but does it deserve the pricetags?

The Leica makes Leica expensive.

My Dad is a Leica nut...he bought on of the "Leica" fixed lens cameras a while ago, the V-Lux 1...it is a rebranded Panasonic with a Leica lens (which the Panny has too), the Panny sold for like $300, the Leica was like $850. The only thing they did was alter the firmware to make it warmer and reflect the warm tones of their film lenses. It is a smaller sensor and pretty noisy.

My Dad was LHSA President in the 80's and early 90's. He had every body made. When he passed, I tried to use the R Series bodies and lenses. While they are nice, I could not get enough keepers to justify using film. I sold the lot and went Canon, set myself up nicely. I also visited the Wetzlar factory in 1973 and was impressed with the production process. As the other poster said....Leica=$$$. Any L series lens can hang with any Leica lens, IMO.

they charge an extra $100 per letter in L E I C A and then a bit more for the red dot

Nice cameras, but the price for some of them (what, 6 or 8k?) is ridiculous. Toys for rich people and fanatic fanboys IMO.

Not true about Canon vs Leica M lenses. For instance the 35 1.4 Lux is sharper at the corners than the 35L is in the center.

There are no normal lenses in the Canon or Nikon line up that can rum with Leica's 50mm lenses.

Leica M is not more expensive that the top of the line Nikon or Canon. And its Leica M lenses that are so good.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=zZFNyBm2Qhk

And this
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=XoWim1Mfmog

And you will not loose $$$ on Leica glass.

Leica Ms and Leica lenses are hand made not mass produced.

New Leica M
http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=7BHvJCunj0A

Leica makes art; all other cameras take photos only

x_tan wrote in post #16292548
Leica makes art; all other cameras take photos only

You can make great images with any equipment really but there is not a better tool for the street or candid work than Leica M.

I remember the days when Leica Ms were over double what the top of the line Canons and Nikon were. Looks like Canon and Nikon caught up so in that regard whats really gotten expensive.

brand

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=Xumo7_JUeMo

I agree with x tan, Canon is like beautiful pop or rock music, leica is like classical or jazz.
Dont know if im being subjective since every pictures made by leica remind me of its pricetags.

They are what the are and they are worth it. I had to wait 4 months for my 35 Lux FLE and 6 months for my M Monochrom and there is about a year I hear on the new M (240).

And the M glass is simply amazing. And like the Steve Huff video pointed out you will not loose $$$$ on Leica M glass.
Leica for a short period of time made a 35 double aspherical 1.4 Summilux. They were only produced for a short period of time and are rare. (1980s I believe). They now sell for around 15K if you can find one so you would have over tripled your investment

Where are Leica digital RF which will take many different primes, from many different manufacturers made as old as in thirties. It is lens which makes picture unique.
Here is no Canon DSLR lens which will have as many diaphragm blades as some RF lens has.
It makes big difference in bokeh sometimes.
Leica digital RFs are the only one, this is why it is expensive. Monopoly.
And where are some Leica P&S with Leica glass. I was skeptical about those. But after checking images from some of those Leica P&S on Flickr, I changed my mind.

If you want different look, check modern non-DSLR cameras which will take RF glass.
Much cheaper solution. Like NEX, X series and so on.
They will take some old good Leica lenses and many others.

airfrogusmc wrote in post #16292601
I had to wait 4 months for my 35 Lux FLE and 6 months for my M Monochrom and there is about a year I hear on the new M (240).

Fake product shortages help maintain demand and increase the price. Good marketing plan for a niche product.

tkbslc wrote in post #16292617
Fake product shortages help maintain demand and increase the price. Good marketing plan for a niche product.

And worth the wait and ever penny...

Leica is a small camera company compared to the big two.

kf095 wrote in post #16292611
Where are Leica digital RF which will take many different primes, from many different manufacturers made as old as in thirties. It is lens which makes picture unique.
Here is no Canon DSLR lens which will have as many diaphragm blades as some RF lens has.
It makes big difference in bokeh sometimes.
Leica digital RFs are the only one, this is why it is expensive. Monopoly.
And where are some Leica P&S with Leica glass. I was skeptical about those. But after checking images from some of those Leica P&S on Flickr, I changed my mind.

If you want different look, check modern non-DSLR cameras which will take RF glass.
Much cheaper solution. Like NEX, X series and so on.
They will take some old good Leica lenses and many others.

Leica M digital will take all but a couple of those great old Leica lenses.