dan_sutton
Member
hi i need some advice. I just managed to get an m4-p that has never been shot. There has never been film inside of it. It is pristine, with box and manual. I paid a whopping $400 for this camera. I was wondering what a value would be and what to do with it.
I have a few options. A friend wants it who shoots professionally and has been a tremendous friend and has expressed interest in it and I am leaning towards giving it to him for the $400. It will complement his m4(2)p not sure which and his m8 and m9.
I also want to keep it because it is just so clean and pristine. I also am eyeing selling it towards a 35 summicron. I know it can't possibly fetch the 2000 or so necessary to get me into that used market but it would be a huge chunk of the way.
Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts that maybe I hadn't thought of or any new way of looking at it. Also, any credible pricing quotes would be useful as well. thanks a bunch.
dan sutton
dansutton.wordpress.com
I have a few options. A friend wants it who shoots professionally and has been a tremendous friend and has expressed interest in it and I am leaning towards giving it to him for the $400. It will complement his m4(2)p not sure which and his m8 and m9.
I also want to keep it because it is just so clean and pristine. I also am eyeing selling it towards a 35 summicron. I know it can't possibly fetch the 2000 or so necessary to get me into that used market but it would be a huge chunk of the way.
Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts that maybe I hadn't thought of or any new way of looking at it. Also, any credible pricing quotes would be useful as well. thanks a bunch.
dan sutton
dansutton.wordpress.com
Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
I'll even give you $500 for it! ;-)
You might need to factor in a CLA if it truly is brand new. 'Freshly CLA'd' always looks better in an ad, IMO.
You might need to factor in a CLA if it truly is brand new. 'Freshly CLA'd' always looks better in an ad, IMO.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Keep it and put a few decades of wear on it!
Or yeah, CLA it & sell it for a profit towards a lens. What a find!
Phil Forrest
Or yeah, CLA it & sell it for a profit towards a lens. What a find!
Phil Forrest
thrice
Established
If you're going to sell it I wouldn't bother CLA'ing it, put it on ebay saying it has never been shot and *recommend* the buyer get it CLA'd. That way if you find a collector who wants one which hasn't been serviced, you both get what you want and you save the cost of a CLA.
Nice find.
It would probably be worth more to a collector if the camera is left as-is i.e. unopened, un-CLA'd, not tampered with since leaving the factory.
It would probably be worth more to a collector if the camera is left as-is i.e. unopened, un-CLA'd, not tampered with since leaving the factory.
Mudman
Well-known
If your friend already has an m4, M8 and M9 I don't think he's hurting for money 
(i.e. you don't need to help him out that way unless you really feel the need). I'd put it up for sale or trade towards a used summicron, which unless you mean the latest version isn't going to set you back $2k.
(i.e. you don't need to help him out that way unless you really feel the need). I'd put it up for sale or trade towards a used summicron, which unless you mean the latest version isn't going to set you back $2k.dan_sutton
Member
Does anyone know where to find a used cv 35/1.4 nokton? I'd like to tell him to track one down for me and I'll give him a new m4. I've only got a 50 summicron from 1972 on my m6 right now. This camera is so clean that I thought about sending him my m6 instead of the m4.
dan_sutton
Member
ehh. I just need to remember it's just a camera and I won't shoot it either way. My m6 is used and worn in lovely. But it's sooo beautiful to see a brand new leica. I'm sure my MP in a few years will give me goosebumps as well
pluton
Well-known
Sell it as is for the most possible money: used "user" M4-P's usually go for $650 to $800 in the USA. Since it should be attractive to a collector charge towards the high end of the scale. Just my 2¢.
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Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
That camera is worth more than a 35mm nokton. Don't sell it short!
Spyro
Well-known
I'd make some fashion shots of it and sell it to a collector on ebay for $2k. The $2k gives you many options.
Penzes
Well-known
I would say, the value is much more than 400$.
My M4-P is not new, just like new, although I'll only use it in a few occasions and try to keep the camera pristine.
My M4-P is not new, just like new, although I'll only use it in a few occasions and try to keep the camera pristine.
Beautiful Penzes.
Penzes
Well-known
Thank you, I just loaded the first roll and 'll test the shutter.
ampguy
Veteran
From the s/n it looks like the later 2 socket one, so it's pretty common and has a lot of plastic and cost-reduced parts in it. I'd keep it as an unused collector.
If you plan to use it, as mentioned it will need a CLA, and even then, it will always need a backup due to the cheaper mechanical parts ready to give out anytime.
If you plan to use it, as mentioned it will need a CLA, and even then, it will always need a backup due to the cheaper mechanical parts ready to give out anytime.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
All Leicas start out as pristine unused collectors. For the $400 I'd shoot the heck out of it. Or sell it for $1000 as unused.
The picture isn't from the OP.
Penzes
Well-known
The camera on the picture is from 1980, so the first year of the M4-P. As I know the M4-P is bit improved compared to the M4-2.
I show you this beauty from an another angle.
Chris101
summicronia
Yes, do run some film, because giving something like that to a collector would be a crime against humanity. If you feel like passing it on to your photographer friend for what you paid, I am SURE that you will be repaid many times in good karma.
awilder
Alan Wilder
I'm just curious as to who would sell you a new M4-P for $400? Family member of a deceased collector or vengeful ex-wife?