Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]By 1971, some prices had risen from 1968. Also,I'm comparing M4 to M6, and 50mm Summilux-R (reflex) version 1 (7 elements; 1969-1998) versus version 2 (8 elements; 1998-). Given that an M6 is improved over the M4 (meter, et al.) and that the newly recomputed Summilux-R is quite an improved lens, and that the prices are roughly the same in constant dollars, I'd say that Leica quality is quite reasonably priced. - -- On Tue, 23 May 2000 11:52:50 Bill Larsen wrote: >I don't know your price sources for 1971. I do have a price list from January >1968 which shows quite different results. > >In 1968, the recommended price for the M4 was US$216 (DM855) which shows a >1999 price of $1048. The Summilux 1:1.4 for the M4 and M2 was $154 (DM616) >which would show a 1999 price of $747. The only lenses on this list in the >21-135 range that cost more than the camera body was the Noctilux 1:1.2 at >$456 (DM1815) and the 135 a:2.8 Elmarit at $225 (DM 907). > >You all can draw your own conclusions as to the efficiency and pricing of >Leica equipment as well as the actual cost of Leica equipment bought in 1968 >and used to the present time. Note that the exchange rate between US$ and DM >at the time was 1:4. > >Bill (I buy Voigtldnder now) Larsen >(Oh and the price list is #110-73 110-74) > >Takeshi Hashimoto writes: > > >|Using the inflation calculator: >|http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ >| >|If an M4 cost $500 in 1971 >| >|An equivalent amount of $500 in 1971 dollars would be $2085.55 in 1999 >dollars. >| >|So an M6 (a better-featured camera than the M4) at $1699 or so is quite a >bargain, no? >| >|The 50mm Summilux-R, which was $441 in 1971, would be: >| >|An equivalent amount of $441 in 1971 dollars would be $1839.46 in 1999 >dollars. >| >| >|The new, quite improved 50mm Summilux-R, today sells for $1945 (from Tamarkin >web page) so again, we are just about the same price allowing for inflation, >but for an improved product. >| >| >|Get your FREE Email at http://mailcity.lycos.com >|Get your PERSONALIZED START PAGE at http://my.lycos.com >| > > Get your FREE Email at http://mailcity.lycos.com Get your PERSONALIZED START PAGE at http://my.lycos.com