Dr Gaspar
Established
I'm about to do something really smart or really stupid.
In my area (I live in Argentina) there's a guy selling a Leica iiia, with "3 lenses, filters and cases". It's a guy I can trust, but the problem with our ebay-kindof website, is that if you bid, you have to buy it. You can't go back.
And the seller doesn't know anything about photography. I asked him what lenses he had, and he replied "the ones you see on the picture, I don't really know". Do you guys recognize any of these things? The pictures are bad, I know, it's all he has. Some of the stuff looks in good shape, some look really bad. The whole thing goes for around 1,400$.
In my area (I live in Argentina) there's a guy selling a Leica iiia, with "3 lenses, filters and cases". It's a guy I can trust, but the problem with our ebay-kindof website, is that if you bid, you have to buy it. You can't go back.
And the seller doesn't know anything about photography. I asked him what lenses he had, and he replied "the ones you see on the picture, I don't really know". Do you guys recognize any of these things? The pictures are bad, I know, it's all he has. Some of the stuff looks in good shape, some look really bad. The whole thing goes for around 1,400$.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
I'd say $1400USD is way too much for a IIIa kit unless it was used by HCB himself.
The lenses in there are, to the best of my knowledge:
135mm Hektor
90mm Elmar
50mm Summarit (I think but could be mistaken)
Either a 35mm Elmar or a 28mm lens, Hektor or Summaron (the tiny one with the cap on). If that's not a lens, I don't know what it is but it has a focusing tab on it.
In excellent condition, the possible 28mm could go for half as much as the guy is asking for the whole kit but the rest of it doesn't add up to $1400 if you ask me. Yeah, there is a collection of hoods and a variable viewfinder but it looks as if the items were priced by ebay's highest prices for each, then totaled.
I may be off base but the camera will probably need a CLA if not more. The lenses probably all have haze and possibly fungus in them. You're looking at upwards of $500 or more if everything needs work.
Can't you inspect it all?
good luck.
Phil Forrest
The lenses in there are, to the best of my knowledge:
135mm Hektor
90mm Elmar
50mm Summarit (I think but could be mistaken)
Either a 35mm Elmar or a 28mm lens, Hektor or Summaron (the tiny one with the cap on). If that's not a lens, I don't know what it is but it has a focusing tab on it.
In excellent condition, the possible 28mm could go for half as much as the guy is asking for the whole kit but the rest of it doesn't add up to $1400 if you ask me. Yeah, there is a collection of hoods and a variable viewfinder but it looks as if the items were priced by ebay's highest prices for each, then totaled.
I may be off base but the camera will probably need a CLA if not more. The lenses probably all have haze and possibly fungus in them. You're looking at upwards of $500 or more if everything needs work.
Can't you inspect it all?
good luck.
Phil Forrest
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
It doesn't look like a IIIa to me, more a factory-modified IIIc or IIIf.
lawnpotter
Well-known
My opinion would be don't spend so much money to begin with. I bought a IIIa from KEH for Aprox $220 plus shipping and taxes . It may need a ClA. You could start with a body and a russian lens to see if you like it first. I might even return the IIIa cause I am finding I prefer the close rangefinder /viewfinder arangement of my IIIc. I dont know if KEH ships to Argentina but they have a great return policy.
geotrupede
Member
the seller ought to know some, in fact in one picture the lens is on the camera, in the other is not.
I would be concerned about fungus....
does the camera work?
I would be concerned about fungus....
does the camera work?
lawnpotter
Well-known
Another thought... for $1400.00, I think you are entitled to a lot more info and better pictures. For that price, I think every item should be detailed with clear pictures of the glass and everthing else. It looks like he is selling a bargain bin without the bargain price.
peterm1
Veteran
I agree that the price quoted seems too high. 111a cameras are not all that uncommon although most were made before world war 2. Some were made later. For this reason perhaps (ie their age) , most that are found are in poor condition or at least in poor cosmetic condition and these do not attract much money when sold. With these pictures it is hard to know the condition of this equipment. Their lenses also do not go for huge money and only then if in perfect condition. You may be lucky and find that this kit has a rare accessory that collectors would pay for but I cannot tell from these images.
But in any case, it is most likely that if the camera has not been used for a long time it will need to be serviced by a specialist technician who is experienced in these camera. This can cost up to a few hundred dollars. If the shutter curtains have failed (which they eventualy all do) then add perhaps another couple of hundred dollars before you have equipment you can use. Similarly with each lens - servicing, lubricating and cleaning a lens can easily cost a hundred dollars each.
I would not take the risk of bidding unless I had the chance to examine the equipment closely and only then if I undrestood exactly what I was looking for or could send it to a specialist for advice.
But in any case, it is most likely that if the camera has not been used for a long time it will need to be serviced by a specialist technician who is experienced in these camera. This can cost up to a few hundred dollars. If the shutter curtains have failed (which they eventualy all do) then add perhaps another couple of hundred dollars before you have equipment you can use. Similarly with each lens - servicing, lubricating and cleaning a lens can easily cost a hundred dollars each.
I would not take the risk of bidding unless I had the chance to examine the equipment closely and only then if I undrestood exactly what I was looking for or could send it to a specialist for advice.
The price is too high. One lens looks like a Xenon 5cm f1.5.
What I do not like: the items are "stacked" on each other, not carefully placed. The equipment probably had a rough life.
$500 would be closer to the mark for taking such a risk. $1400: you expect fully working equipment that has been taken care of.
I paid $600 for a Leotax D-IV, a rare 5cm F1.5 Simlar, and a Canon 85/2 with finder. All needed full CLA, the camera needed new curtains and beamsplitter. I did the lenses byself, had a repairshop rebuild the Leotax. Expect the same risk here.
What I do not like: the items are "stacked" on each other, not carefully placed. The equipment probably had a rough life.
$500 would be closer to the mark for taking such a risk. $1400: you expect fully working equipment that has been taken care of.
I paid $600 for a Leotax D-IV, a rare 5cm F1.5 Simlar, and a Canon 85/2 with finder. All needed full CLA, the camera needed new curtains and beamsplitter. I did the lenses byself, had a repairshop rebuild the Leotax. Expect the same risk here.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Yes, camera looks to be a IIIf.
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
For half the price I would take the risk of having fungus-etched lenses worthy as paper weights only. For sure you'll need to calculate a CLA in for camera and lenses. I figure they'll contain so much dust and haze as to at best deliver pictures like the ones the seller provided of its stuff here.
Dr Gaspar
Established
As silly as it sounds, in this case if I want to inspect it, I would have to buy it.
Like you guys said, $1400 is a lot of money for a shot in the dark. Either the guy isn't showing the stuff for a reason, or he really doesn't care about customers.
Either way, thank you all for your advices.
rogerzilla
Well-known
Fungus is death to early Leica coatings (1950s lenses), but uncoated lenses will normally clean up OK. The stuff is almost worthless or moderately valuable depending on condition, but I don't think there's anything there that is especially rare and the price sounds very high. If you have a warm rainy climate in that part of Argentina, expect fungus.
Dr Gaspar
Established
Well I've got more information by the user:
Leitz Elmar f=35mm 1: 3.5
Leitz Hektor f= 28mm 1:6.3
Summarit f= 50mm 1:1.5 nr 1055276
Elmar f= 90 1:4 nr 454803
I will go and check what's the state of the lenses especially. What do you guys think?
Leitz Elmar f=35mm 1: 3.5
Leitz Hektor f= 28mm 1:6.3
Summarit f= 50mm 1:1.5 nr 1055276
Elmar f= 90 1:4 nr 454803
I will go and check what's the state of the lenses especially. What do you guys think?
Melvin
Flim Forever!
The most valuable thing is the Hektor 28mm lens, around $400.
The original lens hood for the Hektor 28mm is probably worth more than the camera. I would find out what one looks like and see if it's there. The a36 35mm hood is also going for over a $100.
Single focal length viewfinders are also valuable.
The original lens hood for the Hektor 28mm is probably worth more than the camera. I would find out what one looks like and see if it's there. The a36 35mm hood is also going for over a $100.
Single focal length viewfinders are also valuable.
David Hughes
David Hughes
Just my 2d worth but I think you ought to get a full list of what's there. And I mean "full" with everything shown, even the card exposure guide and plastic note thing - if there.
Often I find it's the little things that cost a lot and what a genuine Leica case for the body and lenses is worth is a very interesting question. Plus the instructions being with it seem a good sign.
Also a fuzzy picture to me is genuine from an "I-know-nothing-about-photography" seller. I'd worry more it it was a superb shot and start wondering.
Regards, David
Often I find it's the little things that cost a lot and what a genuine Leica case for the body and lenses is worth is a very interesting question. Plus the instructions being with it seem a good sign.
Also a fuzzy picture to me is genuine from an "I-know-nothing-about-photography" seller. I'd worry more it it was a superb shot and start wondering.
Regards, David