Gben
Established
Prices of Leica, Contax and Nikon equipment seems way down this year, what do you think?
I think people are coming around to the fact that there are many hundreds of old Leicas for sale, that Contax bodies are basically worthless unless they have been through the hands of one or two good mechanics, and that the only items that sell well are fast 50mm and 85mm lenses that kids like to pop onto digital cameras....
I think people are coming around to the fact that there are many hundreds of old Leicas for sale, that Contax bodies are basically worthless unless they have been through the hands of one or two good mechanics, and that the only items that sell well are fast 50mm and 85mm lenses that kids like to pop onto digital cameras....
Prices have been dropping for 18-24 months, impact from Chinese economic issues, as well as exchange rates
brennanphotoguy
Well-known
Good. That means I can get more of the stuff I want.
______
Well-known
Leica film bodies may be down a little but Leica lenses sure seem to be staying high, particularly the 35mm focal length. I don't think too many kids are buying Summicrons and Summiluxes for their digital bodies.
Gregm61
Well-known
Prices have been down a while as far as I have seen. Earlier this year I picked up an M4 at $1,000 and would have expected having to shell out anywhere from $1,500 or so upwards a few years ago when the Japanese were buying anything at camera shows with "Leica" on it and taking it all back to Japan.
As already noted though, there's nothing inexpensive about the lenses.
As already noted though, there's nothing inexpensive about the lenses.
nobbylon
Veteran
It must be the exchange rate as I think prices are up! I've never seen $1500 for an M4.
Some of the prices I see here are way up on what I would expect for M2's, 3's and 4's.
I'd expect €500- €600 for good m2, same for m3's and €700 tops for m4's. M6's can be had for €900-1000 and these prices have been stable like this for a few years.
Ebay prices are cuckoo land and cannot be relied on as a good indication of anything other than the avarice of sellers.
Some of the prices I see here are way up on what I would expect for M2's, 3's and 4's.
I'd expect €500- €600 for good m2, same for m3's and €700 tops for m4's. M6's can be had for €900-1000 and these prices have been stable like this for a few years.
Ebay prices are cuckoo land and cannot be relied on as a good indication of anything other than the avarice of sellers.
Many lenses are way down. It was not all that long ago that a used/boxed/mint 28/2 ASPH would easily sell for $3000-$3200, now they are half of that, with some still unsold here in the classifieds.
Ebay asking prices are not useful for sure, but the sold prices are a fairly reliable guide, with a few outliers on both ends of the pricing spectrum.
Ebay asking prices are not useful for sure, but the sold prices are a fairly reliable guide, with a few outliers on both ends of the pricing spectrum.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
The entire film cameras market is softening for obvious reason. Leica, Nikon and Contax ain't any special on the market where amount of film users is declining.
(Yes, I read this famous article about one film store in London busy than ever. It's because other stores around were closed for good.)
The MF lenses market is strong due to growing market of mirrorless digital cameras where old RF lenses are popular.
At beginning of 2016 Leitz made lenses were much more affordable on e-bay. Not now.
(Yes, I read this famous article about one film store in London busy than ever. It's because other stores around were closed for good.)
The MF lenses market is strong due to growing market of mirrorless digital cameras where old RF lenses are popular.
At beginning of 2016 Leitz made lenses were much more affordable on e-bay. Not now.
edge100
Well-known
I'm not sure of that. I just picked up a minty 35 Cron ASPH for <$1700 USD. I had been seeing them closer to $2k for a while.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
The ever increasing price of film is not helping keeping the price of most film cameras in the higher echelons.
The used Leica collector market is global, with ebay by far the largest marketplace. The run up in prices over the past few years was due to demand from China; new lenses were selling for more significantly more than retail as Leica was not able to meet demand. 35 FLE, 50/1.4 ASPH were selling for $500-$1000 higher than US retail, for example.
With the softening of the Chinese market, prices have settled back down, with the largest price adjustments in lenses, as there is now more supply than demand.
With the softening of the Chinese market, prices have settled back down, with the largest price adjustments in lenses, as there is now more supply than demand.
grouchos_tash
Well-known
I have found the opposite to be true. I have sold some equipment over the past few months that I've had since 2012. I sold everything for more than I bought it for e.g. Elmar-m 50mm, bought for £460, sold for £560, Nokton 40mm bought brand new for £315, sold for £320.
Ronald M
Veteran
Digital is coming to fruition for amateurs. They believe it to be cheaper and it is for pros who do weddings and sports.
Wait until they find the life of their shinny toy has a life of 3/5 years after which it is not repairable or costs too much to repair.
Look at the value of the M8. Parts are failing and no replacements can be had.
For $5000+ amateurs could have bought tons of film and still had a decent camera.
Wait until they find the life of their shinny toy has a life of 3/5 years after which it is not repairable or costs too much to repair.
Look at the value of the M8. Parts are failing and no replacements can be had.
For $5000+ amateurs could have bought tons of film and still had a decent camera.
FujiLove
Well-known
I'm in the UK and seeing the same. Medium format equipment in particular seems to be going for quite a lot more than 12 months ago, partly due to the exchange rate post the Brexit vote. It was economical to import things like Mamiya 7's and Rolleiflex from Japan a few months ago, but now it seems extortionate after you factor in the VAT and customs changes.
I bought a Hexar AF about 18 months ago from the States and paid about £250, now the same cameras go for £350+
John Lawrence
Well-known
Agreed.
Certainly in the UK prices for used Leica cameras and lenses don't seem to show any signs of softening.
I too sold some gear recently to a dealer and was surprised by just how much I got for it, and by how fast and for how much the dealer sold it for!
Cheers,
John
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Just some reality check.
Current M8 cost is same as NiB 6D, BTW.
Do you know what Winogrand has to bring his two M4 for service regularly?
Honestly, I have seen more dead film cameras, then digital ones.
Olympus XA, Minox 35, some big names film P&S has crapped out on me.
My M4-2 was checked in 2014 before I started to use it. Two weeks ago I have to bring it for CLA, which starts with half of the price of used but decent digital camera.
My Canon Rebel DSLR went for service once after four years and 80K pictures taken. To replace VF prism, which I damaged by DIY cleaning attempt. It was FREE parts and service.
At home we have two Fuji digital P&S. One was made in 2005, another in circa 2002. Here is Panasonic Lumix from 2008 as well. And Canon DSLR from 2008 also. My MiL is using old HP made digital P&S. She likes it.
All of them works.
Even more, Canon and Panasonic batteries made in 2008 are almost as good as new. I took Lumix with me on two weeks trip in this Sept-Oct, it was with me every day, I took 900+ pictures with it and have to charge it only once.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Good time to buy. Just got a Sherry Krauter CLA'd M2 body for $460.00.
It remains to be seen what Trump-o-nomics will do to the U.S. economy.
If that was from eBay, I was watching that auction with interest, too. Seems I missed out and you lucked out!
Archlich
Well-known
Used Mamiya 7 prices had boomed in the past year, at least in Japan. I wonder why?
Waus
Well-known
Same with Pentax 67 & Hasselblad-prices in Europese have risen