M bodies in short supply?

K

katgut@earthlink.net

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Has anyone noticed not only the disappearance of lenses from KEH but also that of M bodies? What happened to all the $1200 M6s? M4s?

Just a couple of months ago I got an M4-P on ebay for $750. And that was buy-it-now. Now it seems like everyone's asking much more, and there are fewer. Even from Tamarkin.

I understand the run on lenses to go on all those NEXs and M9s, but is film really making that much of a comeback?
 
yeah prices seem to be going up. sometimes i feel as though there is a conspiracy going on out there... however, if you have leica bodies or lenses to sell, it is definitely a sellers market
 
Same in the UK. MPs in particular that were £1400 -£1500 are now £2100-£2200 over two or three years. "Standard M6 seems to have held at around £800 but M2,3,4 have gone up towards them. Here an M6 is the best buy.

This appears to be restricted to Leica. F,2,3,4,5 nikons are cheaper or the same. F100 I just picked up mint to try and to shoot some sport (childrens) for £120 mint.
 
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I wonder how the prices track against exchange rate differences. Or what does the graph of the price of an M / price-of-gass or M / price-of-gold look like.
 
The price of glass is astronomical at the moment. It isn't trending close to anything else. The price of bodies is strong too. Some asking prices on Ebay are ridiculous, and will never result in sales, but the sold prices are pretty strong too. M2 and M3s are going for over $800 consistently and M4s are back over $1000. M6s are at or over $1500 at the moment.
 
Tamarkin does seem to have sold a whole slew of M bodies. It looks like over the past few months the price of an M5 there has dropped by about 10-15% (lower serial number), but M3 bodies have gone up by about 11.5%. They had several M6 ex++ bodies at around $1395 and they have moved.
 
I remember browsing KEH in early '09 and seeing a vast, vast selection of M bodies and lenses. Now there's not much to choose from. I must say I don't find it all that surprising, given the economic state in early '09 facilitated such a supply and lowered demand.

I will say that I'm glad I bought an M body and lens now, instead of later. :)
 
As much as I tell myself I'm shooting LTM because I prefer the smaller size, the lower price certainly is a factor. Its a little strange just how far apart the price are really.

On the positive side, I'm pretty happy with my III/Summar/J8/Summaron kit. The main advantage of the M for me would be unified finder and a Canon body would handle that. Not worth a ~$600 difference. I'm sure M mount lenses would be nice but I can't justify buying one to myself anyway. :)
 
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Tamarkin's prices are pretty fair. I just bought an M6 Millenium from them. They had an M2 and M3 in for inspection at the time, and both were listed in the price range I quoted a few days later. They are nice looking cameras. i would expect/be willing to pay more from a dealer like Tamarkin than from ebay or a private sale because they do offer an excellent reputation and satisfaction if something is not up to your expectations.
 
Stan had a glut of M6's last year - some discounted to $800 because of the M9.
Not the case anymore.
 
Last year I sold my M6 0.85 Classic for under EUR 1000. To China.

Now I'm sure I'm never gonna get another one. :bang:
 
I don't understand M film bodies going up. Is it a resurgence in film?

I fully understand the Leica glass price increases - the M9.

Vick
 
I remember just before the M9 came out you could get a current version 50 'cron for $750 and now you either can't find any or they go used for close to the new price.
At least it means Leica is doing well.
 
This makes it hard for starving students, like myself, get a leica.. Already have a IIIF but am looking for a M6, or m6ttl. The cheapest I've seen them go for is about 1,300CAD but with no lens.. however i did spot a couple of nokton f1.1 50mm's for about 800.. still pricey when you have no income. haha
 
Is Leica doing well? I know they are back-ordered on M9s, but I have not seen a report on how the S2 line is doing. They are still doing the MPs, right?
 
brokencivilian: This makes it hard for starving students, like myself, get a leica..
Click to expand...

I can imagine! When I was a starving student, it was difficult getting enough food. Okay, and enough beer.
 
jmcd said:
I can imagine! When I was a starving student, it was difficult getting enough food. Okay, and enough beer.
Click to expand...


yes.. food...



or film, or processing.. even though i get c41 and b/w free anyway from a friend.. well b/w myself.


I should just sell all my cameras and get myself a M6 body..
 
Vickko said:
I don't understand M film bodies going up. Is it a resurgence in film?

I fully understand the Leica glass price increases - the M9.

Vick
Click to expand...

In new economies like China, Leica has always been an icon of quality. Mrs Mao even had the M4 copied for chinese photographers, albeit in small numbers.

Film has never been away in China, HongKong or Taiwan. I reckon the Chinese 'Lucky' brand isn't anywhere near folding for quite some time to come.
Leica repairman Youxin Ye co-organised a BIG exhibition on Leica in Shanghai last September and since then prices have been going up steadily.

The Chinese are buying more and more Leica gear now that they get access to the international market through HongKong merchants and have money to burn.
 
Price guides from a couple of years ago seem pretty off by now. Not good for someone wanting to "get in", especially because the higher premium on M bodies seem to be pulling up the prices of lesser alternatives as well.
 
With the introduction of the Leica M9 there has been a substantial increase in the price of M mount lenses. This is probably due to the shortage of new Leica M-mount coded lenses. Obviously you can not use your camera without a lens hence the increase in past production models. This should have been easily seen as the M9 that was introduced was compatible with past production models. Secondarily, it re-introduced Leica to the film student and others. Since there was a scarcity of M's many people chose to purchase the previous M models. Personally, I would recommend that if you see a good price jump at it. There are many people in need of quick cash in this world economy.
 
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