Why leica cameras are so expensive

The images on this page shared by Leica Rumors attest to that fact, as they illustrate the new Leica SL2 being painstakingly produced by hand — right down to hand-placing the signature Leica red dot on the front of the camera. Slightly more nebulous is the much ballyhooed "Leica magic", aka the "Leica look" that supposedly comes out of these cameras simply by pressing the shutter. While we'd take much more issue with that particular property, it certainly can't be argued that Leica cameras really are artisanal devices hand-crafted in very limited numbers.

So it's not just a case of a Leica badge automatically bumping up the price. Why Leicas are so expensive? Leicas are expensive for a reason. While it is undoubtedly a luxury brand, the markup is not really due to the brand itself but the quality and craftsmanship that goes into the Leica cameras and lenses.

Not all Leicas are expensive at all, the question usually has to do with the M line of cameras and lenses. This is the single, biggest reason why Leicas are so expensive. Yes you have heard that right. Leica M cameras are not made by machines but by humans. Every single screw and motherboard has to be assembled by hand, by a human.

This in itself is time consuming and requires skill. That is the biggest reason what makes Leica worth all this money. It is the difference between buying a paperback book and getting a hand made one. Each lens and camera is also checked individually that means there is no need to test anything as it has been done before leaving the factory.

If you go to a flea market you would gladly pay premium for the bag that is handmade, because you know how much work went into it vs coming out a factory chain. Leicas for the most part are only made in one place: Germany. Unlike other companies like Nikon that has factories in Thailand, China and Japan, everything is centralized with Leica.

Only recently has Leica moved some production in Portugal and people feel strongly about the German quality that retailers will tell you if a lens was made in Portugal.

Henri Ford changed the world with mass production but for a century Leica has resisted mass production. They work. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is priceless. Spanning The Generations. These are our recommendations. The Leica M-A Typ Rangefinder is a testament to the founding principles of photography, boasting a classic 35mm film rangefinder, fully-mechanical operation, and a composition-focused M-Mount that accepts focal lengths from 16mm to mm.

HiConsumption is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Posted By Johnny Brayson. Posted By Adam Santa Maria. Posted By Yoni Yardeni. Posted By Tim Huber. Leica is a German company that was founded in by Ernst Leitz. Estimated reading time: 4 minutes. We receive a commission on purchases made through links on this page. For more information, read Affiliate Disclosure. In the photography industry, Leica is often compared to a Rolex or a Bugatti.

The camera and lenses will last you a long time while maintaining its resale value. Aside from the quality of the physical camera, the images are also high-quality.

With a high-quality product and limited supply, a higher price can be charged. Leica M: The M-System is a classic.