HU new Leica M Lens Price Guide

[visiondr]

I just thought I'd bring to everyone's attention the new, updated Leica M price guide. http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/a.htm

In the past I thought it was not very useful because the prices of many items seems waaaaay too low. Now, it seems, they've been updated and seem more reasonable and make the guide more helpful for anyone buying or selling used M gear.

BTW, I have no idea who compiles this info nor do I have any connection to its publication.

 

[40oz]

what is the purpose of the guide?

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Based on what Leica lenses are selling for today, these prices still seem to me a bit on the low side overall. They seem higher than most dealers would offer a seller, but less than can reasonably be obtained from most dealers (even eBay).

 

[Meleica]

While I fear this thread may turn into something it shouldnt, I will answer your question as its my guide:

I have been collecting cameras ( mainly pre 1900 woodies and Leica ) for the last 15 years. While many call me a "dealer" of cameras in a derogatory way, I define a dealer as someone who's occupation is selling cameras - thats not me. I am a gear nut like many of us here. In 1994, I created an antique camera website. Over the years, because of the exposure of my site ( it has been ranked # 1 or # 2 on google (alta vista ) the last 10 years for "antique camera(s)" keywords), I started to get lots of offers to buy nice camera items...so I did and I have. I buy what I like, I buy what I collect. Sometimes I buy just to play with it for a week. Then, I sell it to fund more purchases. I have had the wonderful opportunity to buy great, fun gear that interested me, and then I was able to sell via ebay and, for the most part, not lose any money doing this. Does that make me a dealer ? I dont think so, but I know everyone has their own opinion. I have a full-time professional job, a wife and kids.

Also, over the years, I was getting 100's of emails a day ! from people asking me to identify or value their camera items ( everybody thinks a camera older than 20 years old is an "antique" ). For years I did this for FREE on my own time, at my own costs. But one day I decided I should charge for this service because my free time went to nil when I had kids, so I set up a cheapie "appraisal service."

Then, I will still getting too many emails to handle, so I set up these FREE camera and lens price guides for TWO REASONS.

First, so people could look up the value themselves for FREE

Second, I set them up with ads ( ebay and google ) to help defray the costs of my internet service, cable service, server space etc.....

Since I was already tracking prices for my own collecting purposes, creating these guides was a natural extension.

So there you have it, that is the purpose. There is no deeper or more sinister plot behind the guides.

Lastly, I frequently get flamed that my prices are low. As I explain on every page, these prices are mainly from EBAY with input from dealers sites. So, before you claim my numbers are low - just do a simple search on ebay of completed items and you will see for yourself my values are right in line with ebay AND I state on my site buyng from a dealer will cost 10 to 20% more.


Dan

 

[vrgard]

Thanks, Dan, for the explanation. If nothing else, it was interesting to me to learn how you came about developing your site. And, having looked at it many times in the past, I thank you for sharing the collected information in such an easy to access format.

-Randy

 

[Meleica]

Here is an example of my guide in action:

Today a 50mm ASPH 1.4 sold for $ 2235 on ebay, minty in the box, 6-bit coded by a 100% seller with 193 feedback.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=320099926790&rd=1&rd=1

So, to me, this is a reliable # for ebay.

My guide lists this lens in EXC condition for $ 2100. I also wrote on my guide, add $ 100 for 6-bit coding. So that puts my guide at $ 2200 for an EXC condition lens w/6-bit.... am I low ? I dont think so. I also know of a 50mm ASPH available on the LUG ( Leica Users Group ) for $ 2K.

And lastly, there are deals on this forum, in particular, that sell LOWER than my numbers regularly! photo.net has some deals sometimes, but the LUG and this forum are the places to buy quality used Leica at the lowest prices.

Please remember its just a guide ! Am I low on some, probably...high on some, probably.... but on average, I think I am close and this guide should serve people well regardless if they are buying - selling - collecting... Just a guide !

Dan

 

[visiondr]

Thanks Dan. I was wondering how it all made sense. Now it does. Thanks also for the site.

 

[35mmdelux]

Excellent and close to my buy/sell prices. Will use as a FYI guide, if only to see the ballpark.

Thanks much - Paul