Leica Raises US Camera and Lens Prices Starting March 13

Leica has notified U.S. retailers of a broad price increase taking effect this Friday, March 13, covering a few dozen cameras and lenses across the M, SL, and Q systems. The increases are not uniform and not tied to a fixed percentage, with individual changes ranging from as little as $25 on some SL glass all the way to $890 on the M11 Monochrom, according to a detailed price list posted to the Red Dot Forum by Leica Store Miami.

The M11 body absorbs a $560 increase under the new pricing, while the full-frame Q3 compact jumps $615. The new M EV1 sees a $295 change. M-mount lenses carry increases between $60 and $570 depending on the optic. On the SL side, the biggest camera-level hit lands on the SL3-S kit bundled with the Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH, which moves from $6,495 to $6,950, a $455 increase. SL lens changes in the published table are more surgical: the Vario-Elmarit-SL 28–70mm f/2.8 ASPH rises $300 from $1,890 to $2,190, the Vario-Elmar-SL 100–400mm f/5–6.3 adds $135 to reach $2,590, and the Vario-Elmarit-SL 70–200mm f/2.8 ASPH climbs just $25 to $3,550. The Q3 43 and Q3 Monochrom will also see increases, though specific dollar figures for those variants have not been published.

David Farkas, owner of Leica Store Miami, framed the increases in the Red Dot Forum post as consistent with the brand's long-standing pricing philosophy. "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," Farkas wrote.

The announcement follows a similar increase that took effect July 1, 2024, which added $300 to analog M cameras, the M11 Monochrom, and the Q3, while M lenses and some SL glass saw increases in the $100–$200 range. The SL3, SL2-S, M11-P, and many SL lenses were untouched in that cycle. The 2026 increases arrive during a stretch in which multiple camera brands raised U.S. prices through 2025. Leica itself previously increased list prices in the U.S. and Canada in response to reciprocal tariffs, then selectively reduced prices on a handful of products, including the D-Lux 8 and the Lux grip, when import rates on goods from China dropped from the 125 percent level. The Supreme Court rejected those reciprocal tariffs in February, after which the administration added tariffs of roughly 15 percent under a separate legal authority; those new tariffs require Congressional approval to remain in force beyond 150 days.

Because the announcement originated with a Miami-based retailer rather than a Leica corporate statement, it remains unclear whether the increases extend beyond the U.S. market. Digital Camera World reached out to Leica for an official comment but had not received a response at the time of reporting.

Leica Store Miami says it will honor current pricing on any in-stock item through the March 13 deadline. Shoppers looking to buy at pre-increase prices can reach the store at (305) 921-4433 or info@leicastoreamiami.com while stock lasts.