Out Of Control Prices For Used M Lenses?

You know what, half my lens kit for my M3 was not made but Leitz but Cosina Voightlander and Canon. Unlike others, I have not had issues with the CV 35 f2.5 Color Skopar lens (I have the LTM with adapter version), it's a steal if you get one while you can.

If am building a lens kit from scratch I would probably go with a ZM 35 f2 Biogon, ZM 50 f2 planar and a Leica 90 f2.8 elmarit. I tried Dave's 35 Biogon back in September and I was blown away by the performance.
 
Uncle Bill said:
I tried Dave's 35 Biogon back in September and I was blown away by the performance.
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If I'm right Bill, I think the Biogon may be just that good ya know?
I'm still going to try it out vs the 35 ASPH but I have a sneaking suspicion that any image differences will be negligible.

Physical characteristics however will also be compared and I know they're different beasts in that dept.

Cheers
Dave
 
mike goldberg said:
I like xraa33's how about using anti- cult lenses?
My M2, bought 35 years ago came with an excellent Summaron 35/2.8.

I'm using an exceptionally good J8 on my IIIf [or M2 with adapter]; this was modified to the Leica standard. How's zat for "anti-cult?" :D
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yes anti- cult is the way to go Mike, the problem is that if you laud a lens/ camera enough on web sites like this it tends to become a cult lens or camera.

look what has happened to the Summitar and the Canon 50/1.2
I remember the 50/ 1.2 going for 120 dollars CAD at camera shows not many years ago. it was said to be not one of Canon's best, Summitars
sold for 30 dollars at Olden in NY in the late 1970s.
the Canon P camera was very much lauded a couple of years ago on this very forum and prices went way up.
now that there is radio silence on the P, prices are coming a bit down, so if you wait and don't join the bandwagon you can buy gear at a realistic price.
just be mum on how wonderful and delicious it is.
 
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Biggest reason is the relative weakness of the US dollar against the Euro/£. Certainly as a UK buyer being able to halve the dollar price is a big GAS incentive for me. In the case of the Noctilux the new price increase is a factor but I think the big deal is the M8's electronic shutter. 1/8000th plus NDs make this a true daylight lens now, a friend uses it regularly for family snapshots now!
 
After using it, I'm glad the 80mm Xenotar had a lower reputation than the 80mm Planar, since I got my 2.8E cheap, relative to a Planar one. The Xenotar is NOT a magical lens. ;)

For entertainment mostly, and maybe a few pennies, we should buy up a maligned lens in low supply, get someone who can take excellent photos, then distribute her/his photos and each of us post them in a couple threads. Then sell in about a month. The key is coming up with a good monicker like "King of 3D!" or something. Who's in?
 
dcsang said:
If I'm right Bill, I think the Biogon may be just that good ya know?
I'm still going to try it out vs the 35 ASPH but I have a sneaking suspicion that any image differences will be negligible.

Physical characteristics however will also be compared and I know they're different beasts in that dept.

Cheers
Dave
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This is a very important consideration. I won't be buying any Zeiss lenses because the 1/3 stop increments on the aperture ring are annoying to me. I'm more than happy with the performance of my Ultron but sometimes it's too big. The 35 Summicron is the perfect balance of compact size and optical performance, which is why I want one, but it's too expensive!
In the meantime I'm enjoying the 40mm Summicron that came with my CL so much I'll probably forget about looking for a 35!
 
MikeL said:
After using it, I'm glad the 80mm Xenotar had a lower reputation than the 80mm Planar, since I got my 2.8E cheap, relative to a Planar one. The Xenotar is NOT a magical lens. ;)

For entertainment mostly, and maybe a few pennies, we should buy up a maligned lens in low supply, get someone who can take excellent photos, then distribute her/his photos and each of us post them in a couple threads. Then sell in about a month. The key is coming up with a good monicker like "King of 3D!" or something. Who's in?
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that sounds like a plan;-)

you would be surprised on how repeated syrupy talk on how great a lens is has an effect on the price.
 
lol

lol

Mike, do you mean in again? :p

MikeL said:
After using it, I'm glad the 80mm Xenotar had a lower reputation than the 80mm Planar, since I got my 2.8E cheap, relative to a Planar one. The Xenotar is NOT a magical lens. ;)

For entertainment mostly, and maybe a few pennies, we should buy up a maligned lens in low supply, get someone who can take excellent photos, then distribute her/his photos and each of us post them in a couple threads. Then sell in about a month. The key is coming up with a good monicker like "King of 3D!" or something. Who's in?
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cameraman said:
I stand corrected. I forgot all about the irrational Leica W*nker Syndrome. Not that I'm ccomplaining: Like I said, I made a hefty profit selling mine.
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Supply and demand, dear boy.

Much like w*nking, really.

Cheers,

R.
 
photogdave said:
This is a very important consideration. I won't be buying any Zeiss lenses because the 1/3 stop increments on the aperture ring are annoying to me. I'm more than happy with the performance of my Ultron but sometimes it's too big. The 35 Summicron is the perfect balance of compact size and optical performance, which is why I want one, but it's too expensive!
In the meantime I'm enjoying the 40mm Summicron that came with my CL so much I'll probably forget about looking for a 35!
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I also agree that the v4 'cron 35 is overrated and overpriced - and I still own one! However, ergonomic aspects like balance or stop increments are often more important than optical performance when deciding between lenses. For myself, the v4 and v3 'crons at this focal length are inferior to the Summaron 35/2.8. I much prefer the milled aperture ring of the latter, the full-stop detents, and readable DOF scale. For current buyers, the most attractive options appear to be the CV Ultron or UC-Hexanon. Life is a compromise. :)
 
I know the rising prices have pretty much put my lens upgrade program on hold until the dollar strengthens.
 
The root of this problem is the declining value of the dollar. I can remember just a few years ago when you could get a new M7 for $2695. Now they are $3695. This is very close to the 40% decline in the dollar vs. the euro over the last few years.
 
dcsang said:
Maybe it's me, but lately I've noted pricing on used M's to be a lot higher than I expected.

I mean, for example, take this "mint" 35mm Summicron 4th version (so called "King of Bokeh" :rolleyes: ):
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160178592992

Look at the price it went for - I know that collectors can pay a lot more than what tends to be the "going rate" but I didn't expect to see it go for that much.

With that said, is it the M8 that's caused a recent price increase in most good condition M lenses? Has anyone noticed this with 50's or other M lenses or is it only the 35's that seem to be on the upswing?

More curious than anything because I have been looking at some 35 Cron's lately.

Cheers,
Dave
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Not all M- lenses are 'exceptional' expensive at the moment.

You can buy a new Elmar 2.8/ 50 at about €680,-
The Tele-Elmarit 2.8/90 for about €600,
And the 'old' three lenser'4./90 M Elmar for about €200,-
The Hector 4,5/135 for about €140,-
The Elmar M 4/135 for about €295,-
The summicron C 40/2 for about €450,-

The 'old' Summarits and Elmars 50mm are still not too expensive.

The prices of the lenses for the R-system are a bargain. The R- cameras too!!

You can buy a Summicron R 2,0/50 for about €150,-
Combine this for instance with a Leica RE for about €250, (new state) and you have a cheapy that can compete with a M- camera!

Personaly I do prefer to combine the M cameras (M4 and M6) with a Leicaflex SL2.
This gives you more possibilities to combine lenses of the two systems in order to spent not too much money for your lenses.

The lenses of the two Leica systems have the same 'Leica character'! :)
 
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Picking up the tail end of this thread........

I own both the 35 Cron ASPH and the pre ASPH V4. The ASPH is arresting in its sharpness and contrast which I prefer for color. The V4 is used primarily for B&W, although I use it as my carry around lens simply because of the extremely light weight. Those ASPH lenses are heavy.
 
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