Today, Leica has announced an upcoming price increase going into effect April 1, 2021. While impacting nearly every current product, the increases are not uniform across the board. The amount will vary on a per-product basis, averaging about 2-5% for most items. This translates to a $100 to $200 price bump on the majority of M, SL and TL lenses. Some items will see larger jumps, like the SL2 and Q2, which are going up $600 and $500 respectively. This makes sense since both cameras were exempted previously from multiple rounds of increases. Recently introduced products like the Q2 Daniel Craig x Greg Williams, APO-Summicron-SL 28mm f/2 ASPH, and APO-Summicron-M 35mm ASPH will not see any increase, as pricing was adjusted prior to market release.
Like many premium manufacturers, Leica has a history of small, incremental price adjustments to keep pace with inflation, currency fluctuation, and the ever rising cost to produce hand-crafted, high-precision cameras and lenses. Looking at their public statement, you can see that a 10% weakening of the USD is partly to blame, although it’s worth noting that Leica is adjusting prices globally, not just in the US market.
The good news is that Leica is giving everyone a couple weeks notice here. If you are interested in purchasing at the current pricing, you can do so while supplies last. At Leica Store Miami, pre-increase pricing will be honored on any in-stock item up until March 31st, 2021.
Below is a breakdown of affected serialized products and their corresponding price increases. These are just the big ticket items, but hundreds of other products are going up as well. Since the list is fairly long, you can use the bookmark links to jump to each section.
M-System Cameras
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 20002 | Leica M10-R, black chrome finish | $8,295 | $8,995 | $700 |
| 20003 | Leica M10-R, silver chrome finish | $8,295 | $8,995 | $700 |
| 20061 | Leica M10 Monochrom Leitz Wetzlar Limited | $8,295 | $8,995 | $700 |
| 20050 | Leica M10 Monochrom | $8,295 | $8,995 | $700 |
| 10301 | Leica MP 0.72 silver chrome finish | $5,295 | $5,395 | $100 |
| 10302 | Leica MP 0.72 black paint finish | $5,295 | $5,395 | $100 |
| 10370 | Leica M-A (Typ 127), black chrome finish | $5,195 | $5,295 | $100 |
| 10371 | Leica M-A (Typ 127), silver chrome finish | $5,195 | $5,295 | $100 |
M-System Lenses
SL-System Cameras
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 10854 | Leica SL2 | $5,995 | $6,595 | $600 |
| 10880 | Leica SL2-S | $4,895 | $4,995 | $100 |
SL-System Lenses
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 11177 | Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH | $6,095 | $6,295 | $200 |
| 11176 | Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH | $5,495 | $5,595 | $100 |
| 11175 | Leica APO-Vario-Elmarit-SL 90-280mm f/2.8-4 | $7,095 | $7,295 | $200 |
| 11183 | Leica APO-Summicron-SL 28mm f/2 ASPH | $5,195 | $5,195 | No change |
| 11184 | Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH | $5,095 | $5,195 | $100 |
| 11185 | Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH | $4,995 | $5,095 | $100 |
| 11178 | Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH | $5,295 | $5,395 | $100 |
| 11179 | Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH | $5,695 | $5,795 | $100 |
| 11180 | Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH | $5,895 | $5,995 | $100 |
Q-System Cameras
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 19050 | Leica Q2, black anodized | $4,995 | $5,495 | $500 |
| 19055 | Leica Q2 Monochrom | $5,995 | $6,195 | $200 |
| 19058 | Leica Q2 Daniel Craig x Greg Williams | $6,995 | $6,995 | No change |
S-System Camera
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 10832 | Leica S3 | $18,995 | $19,995 | $1,000 |
S-System Lenses
CL/TL-System Cameras
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 19300 | Leica CL, silver anodized finish | $3,095 | $3,195 | $100 |
| 19301 | Leica CL, black anodized finish | $3,095 | $3,195 | $100 |
| 19330 | Leica CL Starter Bundle, Black with Elmarit-TL 18mm | $2,995 | $3,095 | $100 |
| 19340 | Leica CL Starter Bundle, Silver with Elmarit-TL 18mm | $2,995 | $3,095 | $100 |
| 19341 | Leica CL Vario Bundle, Black with Vario-Elmar-TL 18-56mm | $3,650 | $3,795 | $145 |
| 19342 | Leica CL Vario Bundle, Silver with Vario-Elmar-TL 18-56mm | $3,650 | $3,795 | $145 |
| 19334 | Leica CL ‘Edition Paul Smith' | $3,395 | $3,395 | No change |
| 18188 | Leica TL2, silver anodized finish | $2,495 | $2,595 | $100 |
| 18187 | Leica TL2, black anodized finish | $2,495 | $2,495 | No change |
CL/TL-System Lenses
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 11082 | Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-TL 11-23mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH | $2,095 | $2,195 | $100 |
| 11080 | Leica Vario-Elmar-TL 18-56 f/3.5-5.6 ASPH | $1,895 | $1,995 | $100 |
| 11083 | Leica APO-Vario-Elmar-TL 55-135mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH | $2,095 | $2,195 | $100 |
| 11088 | Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH, black anodized | $1,495 | $1,595 | $100 |
| 11089 | Leica Elmarit-TL 18mm f/2.8 ASPH, silver anodized | $1,495 | $1,595 | $100 |
| 11081 | Leica Summicron-TL 23mm f/2 ASPH | $2,095 | $2,195 | $100 |
| 11084 | Leica Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH, black anodized | $2,795 | $2,895 | $100 |
| 11085 | Leica Summilux-TL 35mm f/1.4 ASPH, silver anodized | $2,795 | $2,895 | $100 |
| 11086 | Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH, black anodized | $3,295 | $3,395 | $100 |
| 11087 | Leica APO-Macro-Elmarit-TL 60mm f/2.8 ASPH, silver anodized | $3,295 | $3,395 | $100 |
Compact Cameras
| Product Code | Item | Current Price | New Price | Change |
| 19116 | Leica D-Lux 7 | $1,195 | $1,295 | $100 |
| 19141 | Leica D-Lux 7, black | $1,195 | $1,295 | $100 |
| 19121 | Leica V-Lux 5 | $1,395 | $1,495 | $100 |
| 19126 | Leica C-Lux, Light Gold | $1,195 | $1,195 | No change |
| 19130 | Leica C-Lux, Midnight Blue | $1,195 | $1,195 | No change |
Press Release
At Leica Camera, we are dedicated to preserving our unparalleled tradition of optical excellence, craftsmanship and the integrity of our product portfolio. We hold ourselves accountable to high standards with our products and to being transparent with our loyal customers as well.
Over the past year, the relationship between the US Dollar and Euro has suffered and we have absorbed these costs. However, as this continues, we need to adjust our pricing in order to ensure pricing integrity across all Leica subsidiaries and to continue delivering the highest quality of products.The new prices will vary by product, but overall will generally reflect on average a 2% – 5% increase. Additional details include:
- All price increases will be effective on April 1, 2021 with the exception of the Leica M-Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 Black 11686, which will increase effective immediately on March 15, 2021.
- Items recently introduced, including the APO-Summicron-M 35 f/2.0 ASPH, Leica D-Lux 7 Street Kit, Q2 Daniel Craig x Greg Williams, and the APO Summicron-SL 28mm f/2.0 ASPH will not increase in price.
We are dedicated to creating products as exceptional as the photographers behind them and we thank you for being a loyal customer and member of our Leica Family.
This is terrible news. Leica really need to do something to try to get their prices under control.
Their products should be more accessible to more people. But over the last 10 years the prices have dramatically exceeded inflation.
Manufacturing in Portugal is a good idea but you are only saving at best 10% which doesn’t make it worth it (resale value will be lower).
I understand more than anyone of the need for high end products in the portfolio but I also want to see the M system in the hands of more people not less.
Glad I got my Q2 when I did!
As I understand it, the April 1 price increases came as a result of inflation, global economic circumstances and a weakening U.S. dollar. All of these factors are completely out of Leica’s control.
Leica M cameras and lenses are like Patek Philippe timepieces – the wealthy can easily afford them, and the rest of us have to scrape, skimp, save and sacrifice to be able to afford them.
The thing is, people want what they want and they want it now with no sacrifice required, therefore we have a lot of people who hate Leica – which is an extremely childish way of thinking.
If a person is truly committed to photography and desires a Leica M camera, they will find a way or make a way to become a Leica M owner. Nothing in life that is worth owning comes easy (unless you happen to be wealthy). Some things require work and sacrifice. Leica M cameras happens to be one of those things.