Keep M Equipment?

R

ralberts

Ralberts
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Apr 18, 2005
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My first post on RFF. For the last two years I've shot exclusively with Canon 1D, 1D2 cameras and L lenses. Have no real desire to go back to film. But... I can't decide whether to keep my Leica M equipment, all of which is in excellent condition, limited use.

M6 Black Non-TTL (S/N 2006xxx)
Winder M (14402/14430)
75mm f1.4 Summilux (Wetzlar; S/N 3063xxx)
35mm f1.4 Summilux-M Aspheric (Wetzlar; S/N 3670xxx)
135mm f4 Tele-Elmar (Wetzlar; S/N 2083xxx)

M3 Chrome Single Stroke (1045xxx)
35mm f2.0 Summicronw/Bug Eye Viewer (Canada; S/N 1930xxx)
50mm f2.0 Dual Range Summicron w/Closeup Attachment (Wetzlar, S/N 1834917)
Canada 90mm f2.0 Summicron (Canada; S/N 1818180)


I kinda miss shooting RFs. Should I hold onto the lenses (all of them?) and sell the bodies? Maybe keep M3? Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks.

Rick
 
Yeah. Donation is a good thing. Good for the soul. For both the giver and receiver...

Um... Put a roll or two through it. Try to use it. If you don't like it, get rid of it. If you still do like it, make an effort to use it.
 
Rick welcome to the forum! :) Sell the bodies, the 35 with the eyes, the 50 DR, the 75, the 90 and the 135. Buy an Epson R-D1 and a 21.
 
Give them to me. I'll take care of them as if they were mine, and return them to you the minute you call them back home.

What? Don't believe me? I have some of those of my own, yours would feel like at home. We'll have little tea parties, nice evenings by the fireplace, outings in the beach... Your loved one would get the best tutors, best maintenance, best spots and the best care money can buy.

On the other hand, you can always donate them to me. I'll be glad to write you a receipt! :)
 
Now, Rick, on a more serious note: trim it if you want, keep one body and the glory combo of 35/50/90, but don't sell everything or you'll come to regret it.

However, should you decide to sell it anyway, make an offer here first. I'm sure there will be willing buyers.

But then, if you regret it, don't say you weren't warned. Have fun shooting!
 
By all means, if you do decide to sell, offer it here first. You'll find good homes for your stuff among us.
 
ralberts said:
I kinda miss shooting RFs. Should I hold onto the lenses (all of them?) and sell the bodies? Maybe keep M3? Any recommendations appreciated.
Click to expand...

One way to look at it is that you've already got them, it's not costing you any money to keep them in a cabinet, and they're not going to spoil (I assume you're exercising the shutters occasionally and protecting the lenses from any chance of fungus) so there's no reason NOT to hang onto them if you don't need to convert them into cash.

On the other hand, there's nowhere their value can go but up, and if Leica goes out of business their value could go up a LOT -- so if you get rid of them and change your mind later, it might cost you considerably more to re-purchase similar equipment.

So, the no-brainer choice is just to keep all of 'em, or at least pick your favorites and keep those. Who knows, someday when you retire you may decide you want to go back to shooting RFs and film!... and it'll be nice to have all that Leica stuff waiting for you...
 
I've gone through the same thing last year and I ended up selling most of my leica gears but a M6 and a 35 lux. I love my leica gears and I feel sad to let them go, but it's also nice to get some cash. I know how you feel now... all I can say is I never regret selling my gears.

xabi
 
keep 'em, the value will only increase, if you fall on hard times or just need the money for a new D2X they will always be there!

Todd
 
BTW, if you decide to let you 75 lux go, i'm interested. I'm always looking for a 75 lux to go with my 35 lux.
 
Thanks, all.

Thanks, all.

Will pass on the donations, but thanks for thinking of me.

Do not need cash, at least right now, so guess will probably hold onto all except M6 and 135. Hoping some of these lenses might work well with Leica's RF -- if it happens, or maybe an RD-1.

Rick
 
Maybe thin out your collection, but keep your fav body and lens set. Although you're not shooting much film right now, that might change. It did for me. I was heavily into Canon 300D and Canon lenses, but my interest in film rekindled and I'm now shooting as much film as digital. I wouldn't have believed it two years ago. You never know when you'll have a fit of retro ...

Gene
 
If they are going to sit, make sure you exercise them. Lots of Leica's sit in drawers for years and get arthritic from lack of use. Sad. Very sad.

Shoot from film through them. If you are not going to use them, sell them here. Someone will love to have them.

Money for a D2x? Use what you have for an extra year and then sell one of the Leica lens caps. That should cover the cost of any three year old Digital camera.
 
ralberts said:
My first post on RFF. Have no real desire to go back to film.
I kinda miss shooting RFs.
Rick
Click to expand...

This is a contradiction which we cannot solve for you I'd say. :confused:
The question must be:
Is (for you) RF shooting worth to deal with film again ? If you can answer this question with yes you must keep it. Quite simple.
Bertram
 
"For the last two years I've shot exclusively with Canon 1D, 1D2 cameras and L lenses. Have no real desire to go back to film. "

The above seems like the most succint reason to sell, unless the Leica equipment does something else I'm not aware of, like mow the lawn ;-) Sell it. No point in having good equipment sitting around unused. Leicas are like pets, it is inhumane to keep them imprisoned without purpose ... take them out to interesting places and let them fulfill their purpose, or let someone else do it if you can't. good luck
 
...for pro jobs I think the M6 with the 35mm and 75mm Summilux would be sweet... AND/OR if you wanted to shoot for the enjoyment of it then isn't the M3 with 50mm DR Summicron supposed to be the essence of rangefinders?

Its a tough choice! :)

AKALAI
 
I shoot a 1Ds with Canon L glas (35 1.4L, 135 2.0L, 85 1,2L, 70-200 L )

But about 2 months ago i bought a R-D1 with some new Leica Lenses (35 & 50 crons; 75 lux) ................ i did not touch the 1Ds since that day .....
Now i wait for a digital M or digital Zeis Ikon to hit the market ..... that will be the day i put all my Eos stuff on e-bay! The R-d1 already exceeded my expectations ...... it will only get better in the near future.
I bought that R-D1 to have a high quality lightweight & small camera along with Canon 1 series cameras.... never expected it to become my prefered camera!

So think twice before you sell your Leica lenses!!

Han
 
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My own view is that as long as you have them, keep them. Few other things are as sure an investment!! Most Leicas eventually wind up costing more to buy than they did when they were new. Can the same be said of the stock market???

Years ago there was a fellow teacher at school who happened to mention one day that he had a Leica IIIg. My immediate response was to tell him to hold on to it, since it would only continue to increase in "sale" value. I'm sure George has by now gone to his eternal reward, but whoever has that camera has something of value. Just look at the prices on e-bay - for that matter, the prices for ANY LTM Leica.
 
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