Why are Leica Cameras So Expensive.

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Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera

I am some what new to photography. When I saw how different the prices were between leica and any other brand I was surprised. What makes these cameras soo expensive?.. even the rangefinder ones?
Leica also costs more because the manufacturing is mainly done in Germany and Canada- Socialist countries where labor costs are rather high. And when practically every piece of a camera is finished and fitted by hand, labor costs matter.

How Much ? perhaps US$ 8000.

"What makes these cameras soo expensive?.. even the rangefinder ones?"
I think the Leica SLRs are expensive because of the rangefinder models! The latter are quiet, precise and reliable under the most adverse circumstances. The first camera at the summit of Mt. Everest was a Leica, I recall. The manual rewind knob was in place for years after cranks became fashionable, because you were less likely to create static marks or break film under sub-zero conditions. Because it is so small, quiet and non-threatening, it is the ultimate tool for taking pictures of people being themselves.
You are paying for quality, legend and an unsurpassed marque, but not necessarily in that order.

Hey I think everyone missed one big factor 'Why are Leica Cameras so expensive'.

There are so many Leica collectors vs the number of Leica users that the prices are now artificially high for used cameras, and as a result Leica can charge even more for the new cameras because the used prices are so high.
When you buy a Leica you buy two things, prestige and quality. However, I believe the price of a Leica is more in the prestige than the quality. Their is a guy I know with the a M6, and I must admit the lenses are fantastic. Much to his dismay, they are hardly much better than my XX lenses. Leica lenses are hardly much better to justify a 200% price premium XXx lenses, and the decreasing advantage their optics have over "Inferior" mass produced optics is almost nil now.
My Malaysia Ringgit  is worth less today than ever before. I can't sell my Olympus and expect to get my money back in the near future. I like my E-620 but if anyone out there interest to purchase  Leica Cameras you can log on to this website Amazon.