Need help deciding on whether to buy and repair a Leica III

[Jinky]

Hi all,

A camera store in my town has 3 Leica's all at very low prices in thei window. I had a look at them, one is a Leica with a fixed 5cm F2 lens and is in full working condition. The lens looks a little hazy though.

The other 2 cameras appeal to me more, both screw mount cameras but both in need of repair.

However, having checked the serial numbers on the camera quest site I think one of the cameras may be quite valuable, the serial is 118732 and is a black body.

All 3 cameras are priced at €75 and I may never sell them but would be interested in their value.

All advice welcome, I will have many questions if I buy one and try to shoot with it!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I would buy them all and send them to Youxin Ye.

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

I'm not a Leica expert - but think one with a fixed 5cm f2 lens would be quite rare and valuable.
Dave.

 

[wlewisiii]

Buy them. Now.

CLA.

Make huge profit or have 3 fun cameras to use.

Wish I had such problems... 😉

William

 

[Mablo]

Yes, If they are real Leicas buy them all immediately.

 

[radiocemetery]

That's cheap,especially, as Mablo said, if they are real Leicas and not dressed up russian FEDs or Zorkis. There is lots of info. in RFF to help make that determination. If they are genuine, get them all and sell what you don't want/need here. Be sure to take into account that the cameras will most likely need a CLA for best functioning due to their age. Keep us posted.

Steve

 

[Jinky]

Thank you all for the advice, having rerad your comments I'm gonna pop to the store tomorrow lunchtime and get the leica III with the low serial number and the one with the 5cm f2 lens.

Then I'm going to try to get them repaired by a guy in Dublin or bring them to London for repair.

Sending to the states for a CLA could lead to problems with import taxes on the way back, unfortunately.

Thank you all for your assistance and I'll post pics of the cameras as soon as I have them 🙂

 

[payasam]

There's good repair people in the UK. Wouldn't know about Ireland, but Sean Moran of this forum may be able to guide you. You'll probably get large bills, as shutter and range-finder may need special attention apart from general cleaning and lubrication.

 

[Dralowid]

At that price I'd buy them all but a word of warning, there shouldn't be such a thing as a 'fixed lens' Leica with f2 lens and the serial number you quote sounds much too late for a black fixed lens camera (I think). Sounds like a Leica III with a Summar jammed on solid.

Having said all that, it is still an OK price but if you can give the list more info, I'm sure many will chip in with advice.

Michael

 

[varjag]

Sending to the states for a CLA could lead to problems with import taxes on the way back, unfortunately.

Not if you include proof of export letter with it.

 

[Jinky]

At that price I'd buy them all but a word of warning, there shouldn't be such a thing as a 'fixed lens' Leica with f2 lens and the serial number you quote sounds much too late for a black fixed lens camera (I think). Sounds like a Leica III with a Summar jammed on solid.

Having said all that, it is still an OK price but if you can give the list more info, I'm sure many will chip in with advice.

Michael

I've done a lot of reading up over the weekend, I now know that it's not fixed at all, but a 5cm f2 lens is attached to the camera. Since it's the onlly camera that is working I'm going to buy it later today and hopefully nobody has made it to the store before me.

Once I have the camera in hand I'll post a pic and I'm sure there'll be more threads seeking advice!

 

[Erik Johansen]

I would buy them all and send them to Youxin Ye.

Hello,
who is Youxin Ye? Is he a repairman?
Erik

 

[Jinky]

Yes, If they are real Leicas buy them all immediately.

I turned up today at lunchtime with every intention to buy at least one, and depending on how much work the store felt was required to get them all fully functioning, perhaps buy them all.

however, somebody placed deposits on them all after I left the store on Saturday, so I missed out this time.

My Leica lust will be unfulfilled for now, which is a shame.

I need to learn to be more spontaneous!

 

[JohnTF]

Thank you all for the advice, having rerad your comments I'm gonna pop to the store tomorrow lunchtime and get the leica III with the low serial number and the one with the 5cm f2 lens.

Then I'm going to try to get them repaired by a guy in Dublin or bring them to London for repair.

Sending to the states for a CLA could lead to problems with import taxes on the way back, unfortunately.

Thank you all for your assistance and I'll post pics of the cameras as soon as I have them 🙂

Shipped my friend's Nikon back with a repair tag, no customs charged.

If they are real, buy all and sell what you don't want to pay for the one you do want.

Not too hard to tell the fakes, for starters, many have a coated lens. Price is low enough though, so I think if they are fake, you can cover your investment? Others here would know more.


J

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

however, somebody placed deposits on them all after I left the store on Saturday, so I missed out this time.

!

mmm.....why am I not surprised? 🙄

 

[Luddite Frank]

Leave your contact info with the shop owner; sometimes deals fall through.


I've gotten a few second-chances this way...

Can't hurt to try.

 

[Jinky]

mmm.....why am I not surprised? 🙄

True. My work situation isn't very stable so I've been trying to show some restraint regards non-essential purchases. To my detriment on this occasion, but there'll be other bargains in future.

I've learned a lot about screw mount lenses and cameras over the last few days, that'll help me know to buy quicker in future 😉

 

[tonyj]

mmm.....why am I not surprised? 🙄

.... and don't tell all the world next time, at least until you have placed a securing deposit.

There are probably many other Dubliners who read this forum.

There can't be too many outlets dealing in used Leica cameras in Dublin and area; should have been easy to find.

 

[Frontman]

An old saying: "if you snooze, you lose". Truer words were never spoken when it comes to those occasional bargains one sometimes comes across. I keep a little "mad money" in my wallet for such occasions. Over the last year I have acquired some interesting gear, and all of it was cheap, some of it was nearly free.

Sitting next to my computer on this desk is my very-clean $40 Canon F1n, wearing the 50/3.5 macro that came with it. I saw it at a thrift shop sitting with a bunch of recently arrived stuff which hadn't been priced or put away yet. I didn't wait for it to be put on the shelf, I asked them to give me a price on it at that moment, and they did.

If you knew how much I paid for my large format camera and a pair of Rodenstock lenses, you would have kittens. I got my entire kit for less than the cost of a box of 20 sheets of 4x5 film.

Even if you miss out on these 3 cameras, it's likely that the same shop will come across something else similar in the future. Keep you eyes open, and when a good deal comes up, don't hesitate.