andrew markworthy
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,762
I promise this isn't meant to be a confrontational sort of question, but I'm genuinely baffled as to why Leica cameras carry such a huge premium. I should say that I have a Leica D-Lux and my dad used to have a Leica SLR film camera that I used quite a bit, so this isn't motivated by sour grapes, etc. [And before anyone tells me, I know the D-Lux is a rebadged Panasonic, but it was a gift from my dad just before he died].
In their favour, Leica produce superb, well made products. The pictures are excellent, and generally the cameras are an ergonomic joy. BUT: I can get equally good results from cheaper cameras, which, furthermore, generally have a lot more features. And although this isn't necessarily a clinching argument, a lot of camera publications don't consistently rate Leica as being any better than other products.
I could understand if Leica cost e.g. 20% more than equivalent products, but their prices are stratospheric. The X1 (a fixed lens that IMHO is of limited use outside reportage work) is £1500/$2000 for goodness's sake, and by the time you get on to the serious cameras, you're in excess of five grand for the body alone. I just cannot understand how Leica can command these prices, unless, like very expensive watches, people are buying them just because of the name and to show off.
Please restore my faith in human nature and tell me I've got this all wrong.
In their favour, Leica produce superb, well made products. The pictures are excellent, and generally the cameras are an ergonomic joy. BUT: I can get equally good results from cheaper cameras, which, furthermore, generally have a lot more features. And although this isn't necessarily a clinching argument, a lot of camera publications don't consistently rate Leica as being any better than other products.
I could understand if Leica cost e.g. 20% more than equivalent products, but their prices are stratospheric. The X1 (a fixed lens that IMHO is of limited use outside reportage work) is £1500/$2000 for goodness's sake, and by the time you get on to the serious cameras, you're in excess of five grand for the body alone. I just cannot understand how Leica can command these prices, unless, like very expensive watches, people are buying them just because of the name and to show off.
Please restore my faith in human nature and tell me I've got this all wrong.
