How much should I be spending??

[Ash]

ok, so a Leica III or II is my next thing to buy.

The best I've seen a III for is about £250 I think with a lens.

How much should I be spending on a good condition body/body with lens, and what is the difference between all the letters/numbers?

 

[mac_wt]

I've seen them go for as low as 200 euros on Ebay. But not in mint condition and without much warranty.

Some toughts:
- If you're after a II, watch out for Russian fakes. Most of the time it's easy enough to detect them, but still...
- If buying from Ebay, be sure to add the cost of a CLA to the price. You might not need it, but that way you have no unpleasant surprise. If you don't mind the wait, I understand that Oleg does a fine job on screwmount Leicas.
- the difference between the numbers and letters: http://www.cameraquest.com/ltmcam.htm

I'm looking for one myself. But I'm in no hurry.

Wim

 

[Fred]

Ash,

I'd suggest a short trip to Bath and visit Ace Cameras (yes that is the name of the shop). They have a few Leica screw bodies for sale. Try them and see how you get on.

Certainly the viewfinders are small for someone with glasses and using a separate RF window for focus is odd for some. Also remember that the view finder is 50mm only unless you go for the IIIg which is expensive. External viewfinders will be needed for other lenses.

The size of the III amazing, very compact. If I was in the market, I'd go for a good IIIc or IIIf without the self timer, for me it just spoils the handling of such a fine instrument.

Try em and see if they suit you, an M2 would be my second preference, more framelines and VF/RF in the same view.

 

[Leif Shuttyr]

Ash

MW Classics usually has various model III bodies for less than £200. You have to add the cost of a lens though.

http://www.mwclassic.com

cheers

Gavin

 

[Kim Coxon]

Ffordes have a very good selection from £250 up inc Summar. https://secure.ffordes.com/Shop/Sto...ecd&sub=1&Code=LC&SubCode=SB&id=72482&promo=0

Full list here https://secure.ffordes.com/Shop/Store/StockList.asp?Type=secd&Sub=1&code=LC&subcode=SB

I have always found Ace in Bath to be on the pricey side. Nice gear but pricely. I will miss it when Aidan leaves Bath Uni in the Summer. http://www.acecameras.co.uk/asp/web/ph/cat/prodtype/1202/prodtype.asp

Kim

 

[Ash]

Ah excellent!

 

[jkelly]

Here is what I spent on Ebay:

IIIa body, excellent cosmetics, mechanically perfect USD$129
f2/50mm Summar, uncoated, perfect cosmetics clear glass, great performer USD $57
f3.5/50mm Elmar, uncoated, fair cosmetics, clear glass, good performance USD $69
f2/50mm Summitar, coated, mint cosmetics and glass, great performance USD $190

This is all within the past 6 months. If you are patient and buy from reputable sellers, you can find good deals.

 

[Ash]

Wow, you picked up some definite bargains. I think american ebay and uk ebay are not quite the same. things on the uk site seem to pick up much higher prices than the US. maybe you have a wider base of ebay members, more products?

 

[John Shriver]

Camera prices in the UK appear to be generally numerically the same in Pounds as they are in the US in Dollars. Or worse.

You do have to expect to get a few klinkers on eBay. But, with disciplined patience, and scanning the whole world, you can do great. Like a perfect coated Summitar for $79. Ok, so I got a lousy 90mm Elmar for $49, but it came with the bakelite case. Then I got a great one for $81, and I could pick it up locally.

If you're going to get a II or III, get it in black. So beautiful. If you're happy with chrome, consider the IIIa, as you get 1/1000, which can really be handy with ISO 400 film outdoors, especially with lenses that only stop down to f/12.5! Note that the II doesn't have a magnified rangefinder window, which does cut down on focusing ability.

 

[je2a3]

ok, so a Leica III or II is my next thing to buy.
The best I've seen a III for is about £250 I think with a lens.
How much should I be spending on a good condition body/body with lens, and what is the difference between all the letters/numbers?

Last year I acquired 3 x Leica IIs on eBay price ranging from $150-185. The higest figure was for a chrome body with a usable Summar. All three bodies needed a CLA. Lately I've been seeing black LIIs going for over $200 w/o a lens, chances are those need CLA too.

Joseph

 

[PeterL]

I will have paid about €500 for a body (CLA'd after purchase) and 2 lenses (1 CLA'd). If you're going to go the low cost road, get a good looking FSU camera with lens from a seller that seems okay on the Bay. Much cheaper. And add your favourite lens afterwards.

EDIT: just got the CLA bill, total for body + 2 lenses was €600.


Peter.

 

[Ash]

Well I have a Zorki-4k, and I'm getting a Contax-copy Kiev4a this weekend.

I'm really just researching into the Leica thing for when I have the spare cash (and move away from FSU before I get bad GAS!)

Other than paying a higher price for a body, which UK CLA people have a good reputation?

 

[Les Lammers]

Well I have a Zorki-4k, and I'm getting a Contax-copy Kiev4a this weekend.

I'm really just researching into the Leica thing for when I have the spare cash (and move away from FSU before I get bad GAS!)

Other than paying a higher price for a body, which UK CLA people have a good reputation?

Ash,


Get the Leica Pocket Book, Hove press. It is a good guide to the various LTM bodies and lenses. I would look for a body in the best possible condition and factor a CLA into the total price.

Enjoy,

Les

 

[Kim Coxon]

CRR are about the best in the UK. http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/
I did have a recomendation for somewhere else for a Leica specialist but it is at home. Will post it tonight.

Other than that you are really looking at the "general" repairers rather than a specialist. I this case I would recommend Mike Spencer. I know other members also have a favourable opinion of him. http://www.btinternet.com/~camerarepairer/

Kim

Well I have a Zorki-4k, and I'm getting a Contax-copy Kiev4a this weekend.

I'm really just researching into the Leica thing for when I have the spare cash (and move away from FSU before I get bad GAS!)

Other than paying a higher price for a body, which UK CLA people have a good reputation?

 

[Ash]

Great, thanks for the help everyone 🙂

 

[venchka]

Check the RFF Classifieds. There is a Leica IIf and Canon 50/1.8 for sale. You could do worse.