Re: [Leica] Affordable Leica Lenses

["Dan S" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

These were both fine lenses.  It is likely that the cost of manufacturing a 
good 35 f2.8 is not THAT much lower than an F2.0.  But you can't sell the 
2.8 for anywhere near the price of the faster lenses.

Too bad, since competitors like Contax have been able to attract a following 
of new owners based on the quality and price of their basic line.  You can 
get into Contax in all the major focal lengths for less than the price of 
one 35 f1.4R.

Leica has never learned the concept of tiered pricing, although nearly every 
other industry/company in the world has.  The old line about "only building 
the best" is really bull.  They took the low volume- high margin approach 
and are paying the price for that strategy in an ever shrinking customer 
base.

It would be refreshing to see some lenses/cameras built that are of high 
optical and mechanical quality, but sans the high apertures and fancy 
features.  Price them a little above the Contax line and people will flock 
to the brand name Leica in droves.  As anyone in business can tell you, 
SALES cure all other ills.

Best wishes
Dan States




>
>When I first became interested in Leicas (1970'something), I remember
>looking at the R3 and thinking that in order to afford this camera kit, I
>would have to opt for the R35f2.8 and the R90f2.8 lenses.  At that time,
>much more affordable than the Summicrons (as the story goes, I opted for
>Nikon for another decade).
>
>So what happened to these lenses?  Was the optical performance not up to
>Leica standards?  Did Leica figure that a newbie on a budget could opt for
>clean used lenses instead of these slower variants?
>
>Cheers,
>Arturo

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