Errrgh.. Conundrum (GAS related)

[dcsang]

Today I happened upon (i.e. I was NOT looking for this) an immaculate Leica IIIc with an equally immaculate Summitar and impecable case.

The IIIc had NO scratches on its upper plate/chrome area, no missing vulcanite and the rangefinder and viewfinder windows were incredibly clear - almost as clear as my M3 !! Cosmetics were unbelievable for a 1949 vintage.

The Summitar had NO scratches, no cleaning marks, nada.. only had one speck of dust on the interior of the lens. Focus was a bit stiff, but not too bad; the aperture blades were dry (there are no "clicks" on the summitar.. ) and the cosmetics like new. The collapsing was smooth. I'm not sure what vintage the Summitar was but I'm guessing it's close to the IIIc.

The case was not dry or brittle but the leather was kept in great condition - it's just about perfect!!

Now.. the conundrum. The cost that was being asked for this mint set was $650 CDN (that's about $540 USD). Not bad.. but not great.. the other issue was, the body would definitely need a CLA to get the speeds up to snuff. The curtain's beautiful but I can definitely say that the shutter speeds below 1/30 are wayyyyyyyy off. (yes, I meant to add all those "y" there 😀).

So.. I don't know if it's "worth it" per se. It's got incredible potential since it's, other than the CLA, indistinguishable from an "almost new" camera.

What say you, fellow GAS and LTM folks... ?

Or am I just being stupid?? :bang: :bang:

Curious,
Dave

 

[Solinar]

If this helps, you'll be GASSED OUT until February, if you get the IIIc. Just trying to help.

 

[FrankS]

Dave, sounds like just a bit too much. Offer $100 less, in cash, and explain about the cla. It would make a great camera for a super wide lens, and the Summitar would fit the M3 or M6 with an adaptor. Be patient.

 

[back alley]

decision time...user or collector 🙂

joe

 

[dcsang]

decision time...user or collector 🙂

joe

Ya.. that's what I say.. I have a IIIc already that seems to be just dandy.. I really only wanted the SUmmitar but this guy won't split up the kit and the IIIc is, really, immaculate - I just cringe at having to pay more $$$ for a CLA after the fact.

Dave

 

[FrankS]

Wait, you already have a IIIc? Fugeddaboudit! Summitars come along on their own, sometimes very cheaply. Try a WTB ad here. Doesn't cost anything.

 

[former member]

The Coated Summitar that I picked up here on RFF for $110 is Gorgeous. Why didn't you jump on it? I held off for 8 hours to give people a fighting chance!



http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13522&highlight=summitar

 

[dcsang]

The Coated Summitar that I picked up here on RFF for $110 is Gorgeous. Why didn't you jump on it? I held off for 8 hours to give people a fighting chance!



http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13522&highlight=summitar

Mainly because I didn't have a IIIc at the time Brian 😀

Cheers
Dave

 

[rover]

I am with Frank on this one. I think he is right about the price, not bad, but for a camera that needs a CLA? And if it is only the lens you want......

Well, you can resell the body, but won't get fair value due to the need for the CLA, and if you sell your other body, you will just be selling to pay for that service on the new body.

 

[Pherdinand]

What Joe said...user or collector.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I'd take a pass, Dave. Reason? All of the above.

 

[dcsang]

Thanks guys...

I figure I'll pass on this one - and knowing the seller, I bet once I pass, they start dropping the price on it.

I always promissed myself that I wouldn't "collect" per se. I use every single camera I have, even if it's only to run a few rolls of film through them. I hate thinking that a camera I already have (IIIc) is going to sit on the shelf and not get used.

Cheers
Dave