Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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 Voigtländer 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 |