How do you typically upgrade your Leica gear?

[lumiere]

When you buy a new Leica camera, do you typically sell your old camera first before buying the new one?

Or do you typically trade your camera with the dealer that is selling you the new Leica camera or lens?

Which of the two strategies above (independent trading in the first option or dealer-driven trading in the second option) has resulted in the best pay off for you?

I am asking about Leica products because I am just starting to build my Leica system and and I am pretty confused about this market ...thanks for your guidance through your answers

 

[Vickko]

ha ha ha, sell before buying?

sigh. Sadly, I buy, then buy more, get into financial trouble, then, start selling.

I sell either privately or ebay. Selling to dealers incurs too much loss.

 

[f16sunshine]

If you are referring to digital products. Go cautiously when saying upgrade. Most moves are lateral.
I no longer use Leica Digital rangefinders. When I tried an M9 next to my M8's I Decided to take a pass on the M9.
My Lens arrangement was such that I could account for the crop factor easily and the file weight of the M8 was handier and did not lack sharpness or detail.
The one thing I wanted from the M9 it really did not deliver (much higher iso performance.

IMO I would keep my old camera if I were you until you are certain you will adopt the new one. Then sell your old one if that is your choice. M8's and M9's all seem to sell when priced for the market. Trading in to the dealer will not net the greatest return although convenience is a consideration as well.

Cheers!

 

[Bill Clark]

All Leicas I own are film.

I'm going backwards, having recently purchased IIIf & Screw mount lens. One camera Youxin totally rebuilt while the other is in excellent shape needing no work yet.

No, I haven't sold anything.

For digital, I use Canon products and they're getting old with the oldest a 20D that I bought in 2004 but it still works just fine. I'm a minimalist finding natural light I can control (or it's controlled) and a reflector or two. When I need artificial light I have Quantum flashes with Pocket Wizards to off camera fire them.

 

[B-9]

Leicas sell themselves, avoid trade ins.
You'll get the best price for your old gear selling in our classifieds here.

I've sold 5 Leicas and maybe 10 different lenses here, and users never miss a beat.
If you list it, they will come.

 

[lumiere]

Great point I should have been more specific

Great point I should have been more specific

If you are referring to digital products. Go cautiously when saying upgrade. Most moves are lateral.
I no longer use Leica Digital rangefinders. When I tried an M9 next to my M8's I Decided to take a pass on the M9.
My Lens arrangement was such that I could account for the crop factor easily and the file weight of the M8 was handier and did not lack sharpness or detail.
The one thing I wanted from the M9 it really did not deliver (much higher iso performance.

IMO I would keep my old camera if I were you until you are certain you will adopt the new one. Then sell your old one if that is your choice. M8's and M9's all seem to sell when priced for the market. Trading in to the dealer will not net the greatest return although convenience is a consideration as well.

Cheers!

Thanks so much for your response. I should have been more specific. I was referring to upgrading to digital. I appreciate your observation. Thanks

 

[Roger Hicks]

Sell? What's this got to do with Leicas?

Well, I suppose I do sell when I have far too many. But right now I've only got half a dozen...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Vickko]

Oxymoron?

🙂

Okay, digital is more convenient.

... upgrading to digital....

 

[Pioneer]

I'm not certain. I can't remember selling one yet. I am sure (I think) that I will sell some eventually but right now I am just buying.

So far, everytime I consider selling one I take it out, end up using it for awhile, then decide to keep it.

As for digital, I have an M9 and am saving to buy a Monochrom. I am not certain that is considered an upgrade since I consider the M9 and Monochrom to be different cameras, not better or worse, just different. Will I sell or trade the M9? Maybe, but I kinda doubt it. I still like the look of the M9 color files.

 

[Chris101]

Yeah, I never sell stuff either. I just wait until something breaks or gets stolen, then buy something else.

 

[Vics]

How would one upgrade from a Leica M3 and a 50mm Summicron?

 

[FrozenInTime]

Selling gear through a dealer on a commission / consignment basis has worked well for me; reasonable return and minimal hassle ( they do all the photos, advertising, buyer questions and credit card sales ).
That's been Popflash in the US and Ffordes in the UK.

 

[Doug]

How would one upgrade from a Leica M3 and a 50mm Summicron?

An additional M3 and a 50mm Noctilux? 😀

I seldom sell anything, so this is a tough poll question for me. However, I voted for selling AFTER buying... I saw a lot of folks sell their M9 in anticipation of the M(240) and then end up waiting many months for delivery. They were concerned I think that used M9 prices would tank, but that didn't happen. Still, smarter I think to have the new gear in hand first and working satisfactorily before dispensing with the old.

Dealers can be useful. People may feel more comfortable/secure in buying used from a dealer than an individual. A few weeks after receiving my new M240 from PopFlash (an RFF advertiser), I sent them my clean M9 boxed as new, on consignment. They were able to sell it quickly for more than the anticipated price, very likely more than I could have managed in a personal sale.

 

[lumiere]

Oxymoron?

🙂

Okay, digital is more convenient.

indeed, an oxymoron... 🙂 I guess "upgrade" is the wrong word choice when referring to leica...still, I appreciate your thoughts about it 🙂

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I don't sell Leica because too often I read of regrets and re-purchases.

 

[Richard G]

1. M4: stolen.
2. M4-2: traded in on M6.
Love the M6, but I made bad decisions both times. The M4-2 is the only camera equipment I deliberately let go.

 

[Robert Lai]

Leicas are too expensive to have lying around if you're not using them.
I chose sell first them buy on the poll, as that made sense. However, examining my own past behavior, it seems that I buy both first, then sell the one that I don't like as much.

 

[johannielscom]

Voted sell before buy, but while I'm trying to do just that currently, the market for my nice stuff seems really slow...🙁 I need a new Mac and when it comes to computers I cannot sell the old one before getting a new one, since need it for work.

 

[Ranchu]

I upgraded to film, actually. Or regraded. I only sell things for money, but I don't have any Leicas.

 

[Sparrow]

How would one upgrade from a Leica M3 and a 50mm Summicron?

An additional M3 and a 50mm Noctilux? 😀

I seldom sell anything, so this is a tough poll question for me. However, I voted for selling AFTER buying... I saw a lot of folks sell their M9 in anticipation of the M(240) and then end up waiting many months for delivery. They were concerned I think that used M9 prices would tank, but that didn't happen. Still, smarter I think to have the new gear in hand first and working satisfactorily before dispensing with the old.

Dealers can be useful. People may feel more comfortable/secure in buying used from a dealer than an individual. A few weeks after receiving my new M240 from PopFlash (an RFF advertiser), I sent them my clean M9 boxed as new, on consignment. They were able to sell it quickly for more than the anticipated price, very likely more than I could have managed in a personal sale.

... a M2? ... and a bit of text to make more than 10 characters