Buying Leica iiif, is this price worth it?

[Mike254]

Hi,

I am meeting with someone from Craigslist this week to buy a Leica IIIF, collapsible 50mm summarit, original leather case and a leicatime case. The camera is working and aside for some chrome flaking on the baseplate, it looks mint. He's asking $450. Does this sound like a good price?

Thanks

 

[xayraa33]

Hi,

I am meeting with someone from Craigslist this week to buy a Leica IIIF, collapsible 50mm summarit, original leather case and a leicatime case by the camera is working and aside for some chrome flaking on the baseplate, it looks mint. He's asking $450. Does this sound like a good price?

Thanks

It depends on the condition of the camera and the lens.

A minty looking IIIf that needs new shutter curtains and complete overhaul and and new RF mirror and new vulcanite covering with a scratched and fungus filled Summarit lens is not much of a bargain at $450.

 

[HuubL]

The Summarit is not collapsible. It could be a Summitar or a Summicron, both great lenses, but the cron is worth more. Another thing that you should check is if the IIIf is a black dial (BD) or a red dial (RD) and if a RD, check if it has a self timer (ST). RD-ST cameras are somewhat higher value. If indeed in exc condition and functioning properly (RF, curtains times), with scratch-free glass, this would be an excellent price.

 

[Mike254]

Okay. I'll keep that in mind when I meet. Barring those problems, if the lens is clear and the body is working and is in good condition, would you say that is worth $450, or should I try to talk him down more?

Also, you are right, it is a summitar.

 

[Timmyjoe]

When I bought my iiif RD five years ago, it was in excellent condition, and I paid $399 for it from a dealer with a return policy. Everything on it worked fine and the viewfinder and rangefinder windows were in pretty decent shape.

That might give you some idea.

Good luck, it's a fun camera.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Mike254]

When I bought my iiif RD five years ago, it was in excellent condition, and I paid $399 for it from a dealer with a return policy. Everything on it worked fine and the viewfinder and rangefinder windows were in pretty decent shape.

That might give you some idea.

Good luck, it's a fun camera.

Best,
-Tim

Was that with a lens too?

 

[xayraa33]

Okay. I'll keep that in mind when I meet. Barring those problems, if the lens is clear and the body is working and is in good condition, would you say that is worth $450, or should I try to talk him down more?

Also, you are right, it is a summitar.

If you can run some film through it to check for pinholes (after film development and inspection that is ) in the shutter curtains before you buy, and if ALL checks out then it might be a decent deal of a buy.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Was that with a lens too?

Nope, just the body with the original Leica body cap.

 

[bobkonos]

Definitely check the slow shutter speeds for accuracy (by sound since that is all you can go by) and consistency (does each sound the same when you try them 3-5x at each slow speed?). Curtains could be a problem-tough to know that. if the camera does need a tune-up (CLA), I'll buy the Leicatime case from you to help you pay for the CLA. 🙂 That said, please realize there are a LOT of IIIF cameras out there if this one is not to your liking.

Hopefully you'll be as happy as I was from my recent M3 deal with Tim. ;-)

 

[Steve Bellayr]

A field trip worth taking. Go to Collectiblend.com for current prices. A "Leicatime" case...check the prices on that item.

 

[Luddite Frank]

take a small flashlight, to shine into the lens ( removed form the camera ), and look at the glass from an oblique angle: this will reveal any issues with the glass.