How much should I offer?

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mad mike

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I am negotiating the purchase of a leica 111 complete with 5cm Elmar.
The leica is # 154929 which I think dates it about March 1935. I cannot find a number on the lens , There is a R at f6.3 on one side of the DOF
scale. My friend got it from a local camera dealer who was also a Leica collector and he bought it from a country posr-master. It comes with a case which looks original and a Leica lens cap in dull "maybe nickel " with black felt circumference. The lens is scaled from 3.5 to infinity. Here in Ireland the market in Leicas is very small and it is probable that very few were bought in the very hard economic times of the 1930s. What would be a fair price to offer? The body etc seems in very good condition-not sparkling- but then I think it's Ni finish which doesn't sparkle anyway!
Thank you for your time.

mike
 
how much?

how much?

mad mike said:
I am negotiating the purchase of a leica 111 complete with 5cm Elmar.
The leica is # 154929 which I think dates it about March 1935. I cannot find a number on the lens , There is a R at f6.3 on one side of the DOF
scale. My friend got it from a local camera dealer who was also a Leica collector and he bought it from a country posr-master. It comes with a case which looks original and a Leica lens cap in dull "maybe nickel " with black felt circumference. The lens is scaled from 3.5 to infinity. Here in Ireland the market in Leicas is very small and it is probable that very few were bought in the very hard economic times of the 1930s. What would be a fair price to offer? The body etc seems in very good condition-not sparkling- but then I think it's Ni finish which doesn't sparkle anyway!
Thank you for your time.

mike
Click to expand...
Mike maybe the way for you to price it could be found by checking out the different sites on the web that deal in such items. Not having a lot of money I would start low and go from there to what you can afford. There's always another deal out there.
 
Assuming everything is working properly, the rangefinder has good contrast and is easy to focus, the vulcanite it all intact and the lens is decent, I'd think somewhere in the neighbourhood of $300-$350.
 
Mike,

All complete guesswork and only my opinion....

If the body is chrome rather than black I would suggest a UK price somewhere between £200 - £250. Less than £200 and you have a bargain, £250 is a fair price if it works properly and the lens is good. OK, so one could be tempetd to £275 if it is very, very nice.

If it is black and nickel or black and chrome and in good condition then the price can be significantly higher but beware of any repainting which would bring the value down.

Condition, and the moods of both seller and buyer, are all!

Michael
 
It does so much depend on condition as well as which way the rain is coming!
1935 Leica III untouched for several years is going to need clean, lubrication, and adjustment at the very least. The shutter curtains if original are almost certainly going to need replacing. I think you are going to have to factor in a minimum of £150 to make sure the body is in good working order, and that's in addition to the purchase price. The Elmar is a good little lens capable of excellent results but depending on storage could well need at least a clean and lubrication - you need to think in terms of possibly £80 for that.
So - see if you can try out the camera with a film: get the film developed and have a good look at the results, and on the basis of what you see start your negotiations. If the 'seller'doesn't want you to try the camera, they need a good explanation why not. There are other cameras around. This isn't the only one on sale. Don't be too tempted just because it happens to be there.

jesse
 
Assuming you put a flashlight on the glass, and a loupe to check the surfaces, and took a good look at the shutter, and RF, plus note how smoothly it acts when you work the advance, then you ask what they want first, and go from there.

Most people I talk to at shows think Ebay prices are often too high, people get excited, but they still use them as a reference. Anything not perfect in appearance is considered by dealers as a "shooter" or "user" condition camera.

Service may be an issue, depending on where you send it. It can obviously be quite high, but you may find someone who is reasonable, there are a few here in the US who are quite good and reasonable.

I have older cameras that still have good original shutters, but I do not know if they were serviced before I got them. An original shutter will be stitched, and I believe most replacements are glued at the end. If you half wind the shutter and look you will see. My avatar has a stitched shutter and seems to work properly.

Any CLA should essentially be an overhaul of the entire camera / lens system, there are some who just get it working and send it back, and you end up taking it somewhere else in six months.

And, you want to think about whether you want a piece for your collection, or something you will shoot a lot, I agree with Roger when he says if you want something to shoot often, you may be better off looking at M's, which is not to look down on the satisfaction of making a fine image with truly vintage equipment.

Regards, John
 
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I have a sad/funny story about Elmar happen recently. I was looking at the local classifieds site and saw a very clean looking collapsable elmar. I wasn't really interested in the lens but was curious to find out what they go for, so I placed a 15 euro bid on it, just to keep track.
Few days later I went traveling. Imagine my surprise when a week later I was checking my email and saw a message "Hi, I agree with your offer on the lens. I also live in Amsterdam so would you like to come by pick it up?.......



😱



Mint Elmar for eur 15!!!! Too bad (good) I was traveling. Of course after I returned I haven't heard from the guy. Someone must have offered him eur 16 😛
 
Thank you all. there are two influencing factors;
The seller is a very good pal but he ,as a pro photographer, hasn't the time to use the camera.
I'm attracted to the idea of a working camera which is the same age as I am!
Thanks once again,
Mike
 
mad mike said:
Thank you all. there are two influencing factors;
The seller is a very good pal but he ,as a pro photographer, hasn't the time to use the camera.
I'm attracted to the idea of a working camera which is the same age as I am!
Thanks once again,
Mike
Click to expand...

Make the deal, assume a CLA, polish the case and enjoy.

John
 
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