Leica LTM Is the LTM market *that* bad right now?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Pherdinand said:
Pitxu: No. Customs want a percentage of the real sale value, and they know that sellers can agree with buyers to try to cheat them out of their percentage, so they don't care about the actual sale, they care about the actual value.
A "gift" still works in most cases, though - since you are allowed to give gifts to people oif they are not too expensive.
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And usually in most countries (like France), once the customs have evaluated the true value of your good, there is no way to argue and show proof that they over-valued it.
So let's say you buy a used Leica M8 in the US €2'800 (incl shipping). You declare it as gift to avoid taxes but they open the box. They find a mint looking leica in it box and believe it is new. They will value it to lets say €4'000 and tax you about 20% on it, that is €800. And you can't say zip, even if you prove a + b that they overvalued the good.
But this is a risk that all European buyers should be aware of and accept and not fault the seller if it happens.
 
David Murphy said:
Ken, if it's that beautiful Leica If and Summaron you are referring to, I think I know why it's hard to sell here. I've found, from significant experience, that RFF members are more oriented towards cameras and lenses that are more convenient for the rigors of regular use, rather than as collectibles or what I would call more accurately a "functional collectible". I don't think M39 vs. M is the problem -- it's the nature of the camera, i.e. the lack of a finder, rangefinder, meter, bottom loading, etc. that makes it harder to sell here. I guess what I'm saying is that RFF members are more photographers than collectors, although we have both present.

For example I've found it easier to sell a Leica IIIf than a Leica III, and much easier to sell a Bessa R than a Leica IIIf. I listed a CLA'd Leotax S here in fantastic shape at a reasonable price not too long ago and had nary an inquiry. I decided to keep it for now rather than fund eBay's coffers with a big percentage of a $600 or so sale.

I've found LTM lenses fairly easy to sell on RFF. I think your Summaron will sell and is sellable, but you need to discuss it's functionality as a "shooter", i.e. describe the coatings, show a photo example taken with it, etc. The Summaron is actually a helluva good shooting lens.

That's my spin!
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Thanks for your insights, David. I never really thought about the collector vs. user issue - I'm not a collector and all my equipment is used, and assumed others here were the same.

I may need to sell my M3 instead if I can't move the LTM gear.
 
There appears to me to be more action in our classifieds on lenses than bodies at the moment ... and nice clean classic lenses seem to disappear fairly quickly. I personally look at a lot of bodies in the classifieds and think "that would be nice" ... but it's lenses that I really want and they seem to me to be holding their prices!

[edit] .. it's just occured to me that I've never resold anything I've ever bought from the classifieds ... but certain gear seems to change hands between members regularly. It's nice to know that you can buy something here try it and if it doesn't work for you resell it and often only be out the price of the postage!
 
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Ken, if it makes you feel any better, I'd be interested in your sale, but I already have a Barnack body and a Summaron.

If you put a CV28/35 minifinder on that body with the Summaron, you would have a great compact street shooting outfit.
 
Also, if it makes you feel better, I bought a bessa r, 35, 50, and 75mm lenses within 4 days of each other. If I felt like using VF's, I would get wider lenses, too. So there are people wanting LTM, but they do tend to be more "users".
 
When I bought my IIIf, I fell in love. I initially had a feeling that I would end up with a couple more, but it hasn't happened.

I think I've finally reached the place where I have enough gear. I have cameras I enjoy using, that I simply don't have time to use. I have good, functional lenses in every focal length I want. If I bought another LTM Leica, I don't know when I'd use it. Right now I've got, all in working order:
Leica IIIf, 2xBessa R, Kiev 4a, Kiev 2a, Fed 2, Fed 3, Fed 5. I've got a 28mm, 35mm, 7 50mm, 85mm, and 135mm in LTM lenses. It just doesn't make sense to me to buy more. What would I do with another 50mm lens?? I know this is crazy talk, but it's really how I feel right now. Thanks for listening.

My name is Bill, and it's been 60 days since I bought a new lens or camera.
 
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leicasniper said:
The problem is, when you stop buying gear, the only thing left to do is shoot photos with what you've got! And that's a heck of a lot more work than buying stuff from the classifieds. ;)
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Yes! Why should I go out shooting when I could be sitting in a windowless room surfing the internet and reading about photography. :rolleyes:
 
I'm pretty much done too. I've bought a fair amount of stuff from RFF members (thanks all!) but not any more. The only thing on the horizon is one of Brian's special hybred lenses. I've sent out 2 lenses and will get a 50mmf2 CZJ Sonnar in ltm back.
 
Me Too! Done. All finished. Picked up a Black Leica III, Leica IIIa, Rollei 35TE, Rolleiflex IV, and Canon P in the last month. Spent $60 on used cameras last month. Done. Nothing left to do but hack more lenses.

Unless I find more $15 Leica's.
 
I have a summitar 50 f2 war time version in good condition to sell ($150?). Now I am wondering if I should hold it for a while or not...
and the gas price is pretty solid..... :(
 
The War Time Summitars are fetching a good bit on Ebay. Post some shots taken with the lens, and close-up of the glass with a flashlight shining through it. That usually gets a premium. I would expect it to rake in >$200 is you are willing to ship overseas. The Euro is very strong.
 
FrankS said:
I'm pretty much done too. I've bought a fair amount of stuff from RFF members (thanks all!) but not any more. The only thing on the horizon is one of Brian's special hybred lenses. I've sent out 2 lenses and will get a 50mmf2 CZJ Sonnar in ltm back.
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Based on the lens I got from Brian, you'll be very happy. Now I have to think of getting a 50/1.5 in LTM (I do own 3 in Contax mount). All are late
'50s CZ lenses, but I don't know what they might fit into. Then I have to think of what I'd retrofit into the leftover Contax mount... Should I quit while I'm ahead??

Harry
 
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