[Leica] Leica Sales Over Time

[Jeffrey Hausner <Buzz@marianmanor.org>]

Lucien--

	Are these actual production figures or serial number allocations?
If these are actual production figures, what is interesting from your
presentation is that a total of 365,000 M2s&3s were sold in 15 years while
130,000 M6s were sold in approximately the same period.  Of course, the M2 &
M3 were not sold in competition with reflex bodies for as long as the M-6,
so perhaps the proper analysis would somehow have to account for the
defection of M purchases to SL and R cameras.  Perhaps one of the more
historically minded and numerate among us could assess trends in M sales
from model to model.

	Buzz Hausner

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	lucien [SMTP:lucien@ubi.edu]
> Sent:	Monday, February 15, 1999 10:23 AM
> To:	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> Subject:	Re: [Leica] M6 user/collectible!
> 
> 
> 
> "Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" wrote:
> 
> > Not always true Jim.  Check out their Einestuck (one piece) and various
> > select models.
> 
> Peter,
> 
> Out of the +/- 130.000 M6 made between 1984 and 1998, 
> I think that less than 7.000 were made specially for collectors.
> And that quantity of normal M6 (more than the M2, 
> much more than the M4 and much much more than the M4-2) 
> don't make it a collectible IMO. 
> Anyway, not before 30 years I guess.
> The current second-hand price of the M6 reflect only 
> its value as a really useable camera for the moment.
> 
> What is interesting is that Leica is now making lower 
> and lower numbers of each new instant collectible:
> 
> "M6J" 1640 ex. (1994)
> "Ein Stück Leica" 996 ex. (1996)
> "Leica M6 Bhumiphol" 700 ex. (1998)
> "150 Jahre Optik" 150 ex. (1999)
> 
> The "Ein Stück Leica" was not a big hit. 
> I know several of them still collecting dust on 
> dealer's shelves.
> 
> And I know a lot more M users than collectors.
> 
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> For info: (from an old mail to the LUG)
> 
> Approximate production figures:
> 
> M3 = 235,000
> M6 = 130,000
> M2 = 85,000
> CL = 65,000 (allocated serial numbers, real production unknown)
> M4 = 60,000
> M5 = 33,000
> M4-P = 23,000
> M4-2 = 16,000
> MDa = 15,000
> M1 = 10,000
> M6 0,85 = 3130 ??
> MD = 3,000
> MD2 = 3,000
> M6J = 1,640
> MP = 442
> MP2 = 15
> 
> M camera model longevity's:
> 
> M6 1984-98 = 15 years 
> (but what about the M6 Titanium and 150 Jahre Optik? 1999 ?)
> M3 1954-68 = 15 years (5 made in 1967 and 35 in 68 -German
> army !)
> MDa 1966-76 = 11 years
> MD2 1977-87 = 11 years
> M2 1958-67 = 10 years
> M4 1967-75 = 9 years (almost stopped in 1972-73)
> M4-P 1980-87 = 7 years
> M1 1959-64 = 6 years
> M5 1971-75 = 5 years
> CL 1973-76 = 4 years
> MD 1963-66 = 4 years
> M4-2 1978-80 = 3 years
> MP 1956-57 = 2 years
> MP2 1959 = 1 year
> M6J 1994 = 1 year
> M6 0,85 1998 = 1 year
> M6 TTL 1998-1999= 1 year for the moment. 
> 
> 
> Lucien