Noctilux bought last year for M8: Prices way up from what I paid.

E

eleskin

Well-known
Local time
11:25 AM
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
1,080
On Ebay I noticed there were not any Noctilux lenses under $5k plus. Last year I bought one for my M8 on Ebay for $4,600 mint latest version f1.0. Could this be due to the M9 demand and increasing scarcity of quality used M lenses? Everything seems to be going up to the point where as a user of M mount digitals is concerned, the Zeiss ZM line of lenses is increasingly becoming more attractive by the day. Even the Nokton f1.1 has my attention ( I love the dreamy Noctilux, but sometimes I like what the modern designs can do -sharpness ).

So am I right in saying the M9 is impacting lens values?
 
In my opinion there are two factors, one is that the economy has slowly gained strength after the "Lehman - Shock" and the second is that with the appearance of the M9 a 50mm lens is a 50mm lens again for use with a digital M-mount camera.
 
I agree with Gabor in that its a combination of the global economy and the M9.
I can't remember there being a time when KEH had NO Noctiluxs.
 
I remember a topic earlier this year in which a guy asked if he should buy a 75 'lux with slight fungus for $1200, and people said that was way too much.

Now it's just astronomically overpriced(imo of course). I want that lens so badly :S
 
Just sold my Nocti (late model) on ebay two weeks ago by buy-it-now in the upper 5 thousands to a person in Hong Kong. He told me that prices are being pushed up over there with people chasing Leica brand items and no stores with items in stock. These kind of prices make the new ones more reachable though.
 
Digital cameras have a short shelf life as far as value goes. The M8 is dropping in price because in digital terms, it's getting very long in the tooth. Glass, especially high-end glass like the Noctilux, will continue to increase in price. Especially since now, Leica has a "full frame" M9 digital camera.

The same thing happened with Nikkor AIS glass after the D3 came out. Before that, KEH was knee-deep in IF ED AIS glass. After the D3 came out, hardly any. I got then when the getting was good on both fronts, the Nikkor AIS glass and the Leica glass. I'm so glad I'm not trying to buy a Noct on the open market. When Leica comes out with its next-generation M10 that eliminates the red-edge issue with lenses like the 21/4 Super-Angulon, I predict the price of those lenses will climb accordingly.



Leica Noctilux 50 1.0 with B+W ND @ 1.0 on M7 with Ektar 100 film.


Gregory
 
Last edited:
Anyone ever notice how the noctilux has a look that is very similar to a Lomo L-CA? Sharper, of course. Less distortion. 50mm instead of 32mm. But very similar colours and vignetting wide open. Probably why I like it so much!

(the above shot reminded me)
 
The new 0.95 Noct, while a great lens, uses off-the-shelf glass. The previous ones, and the 75/1.4 lux used handmade glass that took many years to make the final lens. Perhaps some folks like the idea of handcrafted glass.
 
I wish I'd bought a Noctilux a year ago. I had the chance, but I couldn't afford it because I bought a Thambar instead. And I think the Thambar was a better buy for taking pictures (not as an investment).

Cheers,

R.
 
Good thing that I got all of my lenses before the price went up. I even picked up Thambar (M42 mount) under $700.

p.s. All of my lenses are my investment!
 
I am not sure about Noctilux but i wouldnt use eBay as an indicator for pricing. If you look at where the sellers for Leica lens are from, they happen to be in China. The prices are listed with variations probably to sell the lower one. So, there might be some dodgy auctions. Best thing to do, is use the user forums classified section.
 
1. Price verification. For prices look at Ebay completed transactions. As I mentioned before, mine sold for what I consider at a higher price than in the past. It's happening.
2. Supply and demand. There weren't too many Noctiluxs ever made and with the large supply of new M9 buyers, supply is tight and demand is strong.
3. Perceived value. When a buyer pays $7k for a M9 and a new Nocti is over $10k, then an used Nocti seems reasonable.
4. New Nocti. If you look at the top suppliers, most seem out of stock of the new Nocti at about twice the price of the used Noctis. Makes the used ones seem reasonable.
5. Perceived value. The price something costs is how much you pay for it minus how much you sell it for. If a lot of folks start feeling that they'll be able to sell it for the same or more than what they bought it for then they would be willing to pay the amounts seen on ebay.
6. Life is short. If you want a Nocti then buy it. Sure Cokes used to cost 10c but are are you thinking that's going to come back?
 
Roger,

I don't know who did the conversion, but the seller was from Swiss.
Thambar lens' front part is screwed into barrel. There is Leica M42 mount that can be used to these kind of lens with focusing.
I used on gf1 and it works good.
 
Sold my Nocti for $3800 last year, that's what I paid for it. If they are going for a grand over that or more now, buy one if you can front the cash and bank it as an investment that you get to make great images with..

Without exception, every Leica lens I have sold in the past 3 years has appreciated.... I am not going to sell again.
 
Never had an f1 Noctilux but a f1.2 and sold it a couple years ago for [at that time] a good price, but the prices now! Every lens I've sold the past few years have seen price increase. Leica glass seems to be a good investment. If used price continue to increase is anyones guess.
 
I bought mine, an E58 about three years ago from an estate sale for $2150 I think it was. At the time it was the most expensive lens I'd ever bought. I sent it to DAG for a CLA and matching with my 0.85x and it has been great ever since. I don't see myself buying the f0.95 version as I use a 50 Summilux ASPH, but I suppose that now there's a finite number of the f1.0 Nocts the price will continue to edge up. Not that I'd consider selling...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom