Leica LTM Just scored a IIIG!

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
George S. said:
Why is that more likely than any other explanation? It sounds like the seller went out of his way to say "as is" and "non-functioning". He may know a bit more than he wants us to think he knows so a buyer would think he's getting a great deal off someone who doesn't realize the value of what he has.

I hope its in great shape, but if it turns out to need $300 to $400 worth of work where's the screaming hot deal? Yes, you'll have a working IIIG then, but a cobbled-together one. I do hope this isn't the case, but anything's possible, nothing is more likely than anything else until Bob gets it in his hands.
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Sorry, didn't see this when you wrote it but I'll reply now. I said it could be a good deal because IIIgs in excellent condition cost around $900 and the Summicron (assuming it's not too scratched) is probably worth around $150 to $225. Even with the $425 of work which it turns out the camera needs that still counts as a decent deal. Not "screaming hot", but decent if the camera can be restored to a semblance of its former glory.

Btw, it appears I was right about the shutter since although it needs replacing, it was there and the seller (unless he was flat out lying, and I doubt that) did not recognize it for what it is.

Matthew
 
Sad, but I purchased two user grade IIIg Leicas. Sent one to Youxin and it came back very usable and the second sent to DAG, came back perfect. The first came with a Summarit for $600. I've since sold both and made money. The second with the work from Don at DAG is now a $775 camera, which I won't sell anytime soon and if I do it will be worth what I've put into it.

Bottom line - the IIIg is an pricey for what it it is.
 
i'm not too bummed about it. i knew it would need SOME kind of work, they always do. and i knew the seller was one of these junk dealers who sell anything they find at garage sales, so i'm really not surprised. i'm just happy to have finally picked up a iiig in user condition that i won't be stressed about taking out of the house.
 
Bob,

Sorry to hear that your new -g needs so much help...

To try and put a positive spin on it, if you spring for Sherry to fix it up, it 'll be done right, and vulcanite aside, you'll have a fresh, accurate user, for about $800-900 investment.


You might've spent that much on a body alone, in better shape, and still found yourself spending $150 - $300 on a CLA and related work a few months later...

If this III-g is going to be a regular shooter for you, at least you'll have confidence that all is fresh & clean & right inside.

Check out cameraleather.com for a new skin...

Good luck !

Luddite Frank
 
Matthew Allen said:
Sorry, didn't see this when you wrote it but I'll reply now. I said it could be a good deal because IIIgs in excellent condition cost around $900
Btw, it appears I was right about the shutter since although it needs replacing, it was there and the seller (unless he was flat out lying, and I doubt that) did not recognize it for what it is.

Matthew
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No, Matthew, you said "it could be a very good deal". And yes, there may be a difference between a missing shutter and a ruined one, but not much difference. And my original suspicion that the seller was being less than honest, if not outright lying, seems to have been proven true. I feel badly for Bob and I hope in the end he gets a very usable camera out of it all, but $825 (for starters, because the $425 estimate for repairs is just that, an estimate until all is said and done) plus figure in any possible auction or paypal fees, shipping from seller, shipping to and from the repair person, tax on repair, actual cost of repair, etc. and you don't have a hot deal.

The reports of screaming hot deals (steals) on Leicas from people that don't know what they have are mostly urban myths; the one that I do know of came from a garage sale, you would never see one on ebay, IMO. There are real deals out there if you are willing to be patient and smart. In December I privately purchased a IIIG and 3 Leica lenses, original flash and case for $1075 with shipping and all the items were as new as the day they were shipped by Leica. Just yesterday a IIIG sold on e-boy from a reputable dealer with a 100 day warranty for $659.
 
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George S. said:
No, Matthew, you said "it could be a very good deal". And yes, there may be a difference between a missing shutter and a ruined one, but not much difference. And my original suspicion that the seller was being less than honest, if not outright lying, seems to have been proven true. I feel badly for Bob and I hope in the end he gets a very usable camera out of it all, but $825 (for starters, because the $425 estimate for repairs is just that, an estimate until all is said and done) plus figure in any possible auction or paypal fees, shipping from seller, shipping to and from the repair person, tax on repair, actual cost of repair, etc. and you don't have a hot deal.

The reports of screaming hot deals (steals) on Leicas from people that don't know what they have are mostly urban myths; the one that I do know of came from a garage sale, you would never see one on ebay, IMO. There are real deals out there if you are willing to be patient and smart. In December I privately purchased a IIIG and 3 Leica lenses, original flash and case for $1075 with shipping and all the items were as new as the day they were shipped by Leica. Just yesterday a IIIG sold on e-boy from a reputable dealer with a 100 day warranty for $659.
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Ok, I said "very", I'm not going to labour the point.:)

In general you are certainly right about the rarity of real bargains, especially on ebay. Ebay is just too big a pool of potential buyers for good deals to go unnoticed though if they are there it's usually in the form of a low BIN. I haven't found the proverbial $5 Leica but I have paid around half the typical auction value for a few items that I spotted right after they were listed, for example a couple of my Pentax lenses which were from reputable sellers and arrived in lovely condition.

Private sales (including those on RFF occasionally) can be great, it sounds like you did very well on your IIIg.

Matthew
 
Anyone know where I can find a black bodied Leica IIIg with three crowns on the back for less than a $1000 US?:angel:
 
i don't feel bad about buying this camera, i knew what i was getting into. it would be nice if it had been perfect, but how often does that really happen? almost every classic camera i've ever bought needed some kind of work.

i'll probably sell the lens, or keep it and sell my m mount collapsible 50mm summicron to cover some of the cost, so my actual outlay for this body would be closer to $200. add in the cla and curtains and i have a iiig in perfect order for $625. not bad.

also, somebody mentioned that these incredible deals never(or very rarely) happen. i'm living proof that they do, i'm the guy that bought a black paint m3 a few months back for $2k! the lenses that came with the camera were worth more than the $2000 i paid for the whole package.

deals are out there...


bob
 
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