Leica R lenses

[rtucker]

Is there a market for Leica R lenses? I sell at vintage camera shows, and someone is offering me a set of nice lenses. I just worry about shelling out to buy them if no body is really looking for them. Any thoughts.

 

[mexipike]

I would say there is some market for them. They are easily adaptable to canon eos digital bodies and that's what most people will buy them for. Except for certain lenses though I don't think they command as much value as there M counterparts

 

[Mark C]

Prices are surprisingly high for an orphan system, at least for certain lenses. Check KEH to see what they are selling for, but also check to see what KEH pays. You can do both with their online quotes. When there is a massive discrepancy between their buying and asking/selling price, it implies to me there isn't much demand.

 

[Waus]

Leica R lenses & Contax Zeiss (and even Yashica SLR)lenses do sell for quite a lot...

 

[rtucker]

Thanks Mark for the KEH price checker, that is going to come in real handy.

 

[Range-rover]

yes they are, I met someone at a meet once and here adapted a Leica R lens with
a Nikkor bayonet in the rear and it's pretty great.

Range

 

[sc_rufctr]

They're excellent. Every bit as good as any comparable M lens and certainly not slouches compared to modern Auto Focus lenses.
The newer the better. The later and last ASPH and APO lenses command the highest prices but can take a while to sell.

Personally I love them but I use a 1Ds most days and with Auto Focus I'm most productive.
However for formal occasions or when you want/need to take your time they just work.

 

[Godfrey]

Is there a market for Leica R lenses? I sell at vintage camera shows, and someone is offering me a set of nice lenses. I just worry about shelling out to buy them if no body is really looking for them. Any thoughts.

They're quite nice lenses. While they adapt well to Nikon and Canon bodies, the best adaptation is for the Sony A7 and A7r, where the lack of auto diaphragm is of little to no consequence.

Some are more desirable than others, of course. Some of the later models are as good as you can get for any lens, bar none. They do tend to go for reasonable prices, unless they're the latest which still command a healthy dollar.

I'd be interested to know what you're being offered. I have a pretty full complement of lenses already, but a friend is looking (after seeing mine...).

G

 

[awilder]

In addition to Sony mirrorless bodies, the latest digital M also takes these lenses with a Leica adapter and can be viewed with their accessory EVF. For the Leica purist, It's the first time any R lens can be used with an M body thanks to digital. Of course this will be full frame.

 

[rtucker]

The lenses are a 28mm f2.8, 60mm, 90mm f2, and a 180mm f 3.4, plus a 2x converter.
That's all the info I have at the moment.

 

[KoNickon]

Do you know how many cams they have? It may not matter for adapting them to the Sony bodies or the Leica M, and because of that it may not affect their value. But for use with the Leicaflexes and R bodies it does matter.

 

[f16sunshine]

Feel free to offer me that f3.4/180mm for sale... if you buy it first of course 🙂

 

[rtucker]

I know the cameras being offered are, R3, and a R4s, if that helps with the cam info.

 

[drew.saunders]

You can look up information on the lenses here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/R_Lenses_x_Focal_Length
If you can get the serial number, that will help you determine the age.

The 180/3.4 is the most desirable of those lenses.

 

[Godfrey]

I know the cameras being offered are, R3, and a R4s, if that helps with the cam info.

If the lenses were purchased concurrent with those bodies, they'll be two-cam at least, usually three cam.

If you acquire them, please send more detailed data (serial numbers) so we can tell the version you have.

Thx, G

 

[David Hughes]

Are you buying them to sell on or use? If to use then the bodies ought to be worth looking at but beware of repair cost. R series Leicas are great cameras.

Regards, David

 

[rtucker]

I saw pictures of the lenses, they are well used to the point where some of them look like the lens barrels are silver instead of black. He says the glass is good and work fine. He is going to give me an idea of price, if they are not too much $ I still might pick them up.

 

[santino]

daily used lenses don't suffer from stiff focus and stuck aperture blades etc.
my all time favourite lens is worn out to the bones but works like a charm.