How well does a ZI ZM hold its value?

[anerjee]

I'd like to get myself a new rangefinder. I've narrowed my options to a used Leica M6 or a new ZI zm.

I would love a used ZI ZM, but the market seems to be quite thin where I live.

One of my considerations is how much I would expect a new ZI to hold its value over 2-5 years. Any guidance?


thanks!

 

[Paddy C]

I would do a search for completed listings on eBay and see what they've been going for lately.

I think with film cameras in general it is tough to predict resale value over the next 2-5 years.

If, however, you intend to keep it for 2-5 years and use it regularly I don't think you need to worry about resale – it will have paid for itself in that time.

 

[Keith]

They seem to be going for around $800.00 to $950.00 in our classifieds on average from what I've noticed ... depending on condition of course.

Definitely a better choice than an M6 IMO but they certainly don't crop up that often used.

 

[dfoo]

Last one I saw in listed in our classifieds in north america sold for ~$650.

 

[muser53]

few things hold their value as well as Leicas, yet I'm with Paddy that value comes not primarily from the cost (that's budget in my mind) of an item but from the use you get from it. Simply buy what you can afford and make good use of it...you won't remember what it cost you five years from now!

 

[Pickett Wilson]

It has always surprised me that so many people seem to already be thinking about selling a camera the moment they buy it.

 

[bennyng]

I'd like to get myself a new rangefinder. I've narrowed my options to a used Leica M6 or a new ZI zm.

I would love a used ZI ZM, but the market seems to be quite thin where I live.

One of my considerations is how much I would expect a new ZI to hold its value over 2-5 years. Any guidance?


thanks!

A used M6 will sure hold it's value better than a New Zeiss Ikon.

In Singapore, new Zeiss Ikon sets hover from S$1900 to S$2300, depending where you get it from. Used from S$1200 to S$1800. Prices have been stable so far for the last 24 months. That should give you a pretty good gauge on the value and depreciation on the Zeiss Ikon.

A better comparison (functionally) to the Zeiss Ikon would be the Leica M7. In Singapore, new M7 depreciates more than 50% when sold used.

Cheers,

 

[Keith]

Immaculate M7's sell here for $2000.00 or a little more and they were $4500.00 new. A new Ikon is $1500.00 and will sell used in good condition for $850.00. I really don't see any difference here unless you buy the Leica used of course and someone else has taken the depreciation hit and lost the dollars for you! The same applies to the Zeiss of course.

 

[anerjee]

Camera prices are high in general here in Singapore, and as I said, used ZI ZM's are hard to come by.

For someone who does not have any history or brand loyalty in cameras, I'd like to make the best decision -- and it is hard given the number of choices available!

 

[Chinasaur]

I paid ~$900 for mine from an rff'r about 3 months ago. Excellent condition and a grip included.

 

[Mister E]

My Ikon has been my best camera yet. It's not fragile at all. My M6 was a pain in the butt and I wish it never left the factory. Buy used, enjoy it.

 

[thegman]

Bought second hand, I think most film cameras seem to hold their value OK right now. Bought new, then Leica M7 as said above depreciates quite a lot it seems, the MP less so.

Personally, I'd be happy if I sold the ZI, and only lost £100 or £200. £100 or £200 for 2 years use of a camera sounds OK to me.

 

[Roger Hicks]

It has always surprised me that so many people seem to already be thinking about selling a camera the moment they buy it.

Puzzles me, too. Of course there have been cameras I bought cheap, with a view to selling them at a profit, but the cameras I buy to use are normally only sold when superseded (at very long intervals) by something better. When I say 'at very long intervals', I mean I'm still using Nikon Fs I bought in the late 70s. I'm not using them much -- I should sell two or three of them...

Cheers,

R.

 

[Neare]

I bought a used Ikon two years ago for the same price that they are selling today.

But honestly, why care if it will hold it's value? It's not actually an expensive used camera for what you get, it's not a Faberge Egg it's a tool meant to be used and abused. No one ever thinks about returning the electric screwdriver they bought a few years earlier.

 

[jarski]

It has always surprised me that so many people seem to already be thinking about selling a camera the moment they buy it.

this was my first thought as well when seen OP. I do that with cars, that have 100% guaranteed devaluation + are much more expensive. but not with hobby items such as cameras or lenses.

 

[anerjee]

this was my first thought as well when seen OP. I do that with cars, that have 100% guaranteed devaluation + are much more expensive. but not with hobby items such as cameras or lenses.

Perhaps you are right, and I am making this more complex than I need to.

I don't collect things. Any new camera in the future would come only after I sell the existing one or find another home for it -- so I've learnt to ask around before spending money.

 

[anerjee]

Closure

Closure

I finally bought a new chrome ZI, and have been using it with a 35mm biogon lens. Recently took it to a short weekend trip in thailand, some pics are posted here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pangmomo/tags/zeissikonzm/

 

[Keith]

I finally bought a new chrome ZI, and have been using it with a 35mm biogon lens. Recently took it to a short weekend trip in thailand, some pics are posted here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pangmomo/tags/zeissikonzm/

Now you're an owner what's your opinion of the camera?

 

[jsrockit]

Honestly, the Zeiss rangefinders seem to have one of the worst resale values out there for a currently in production camera. 55-60% is bad. Great camera too. This is one of those camera you have to buy used... buying new is silly unless you are sure you are going to keep it. If I ever buy a film camera again, I will buy one of these used.

 

[anerjee]

Honestly, the Zeiss rangefinders seem to have one of the worst resale values out there for a currently in production camera. 55-60% is bad. Great camera too. This is one of those camera you have to buy used... buying new is silly unless you are sure you are going to keep it. If I ever buy a film camera again, I will buy one of these used.

Actually, I did look at used Zeiss, and I was getting good condition used ones for $1300+. Prices here in singapore are quite high, due to the smaller market. I could find it cheaper in the classifieds here, but I decided not to cheap out on a couple of hundred of dollars. This is the second camera I own now (first one being an Olympus XA), and I dont see a point of buying any more cameras.

I like the camera a lot, it is beautiful to hold and use. It is lighter and smoother in operation than the m6 I tried out (which costs almost the same now as a new ZI). The viewfinder is large and convenient.

Only downside is that I do not have a hang of the metering yet, and I seem to have missed quite a few shots that my XA gets right. My histogram chimping in digital means that I have little clue about how to set exposure for tricky situations without feedback. Perhaps time to go to the library and read a bit. Any suggestions/guidance is most welcome.