Price a Summicron.

[Goodyear]

This is a bit speculative as, bar a miracle, I don't have the money to spend. Anyhow, your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

My local used gear specialist has an M1 sitting on his shelf. It is sparkly. Stuck to the front of it is a 50 'cron. I think it's the first rigid model, but I'm new to this game. Chrome, infinity lock, scale in feet and metres. To my untrained eyes, the glass is nothing short of perfect. The barrel is mostly great cosmetically, with a bit of damage of some sort (hard to describe) on the focusing ring by the infinity lock. Mechanically, focus feels maybe ever-so-ever-so slightly stiff, while aperture ring feels the teeniest bit loose. Clicks well, though.

Asking price for the kit, GBP799. Split to give the lens for GBP399.

My initial reaction was that that's a little high, but I'm not sure. And I'm definitely not sure by how much.

Either way, as I say, I can't afford it. But it's been on his shelf for a while and may still be there in a couple of months. And they are lay-away friendly.

Slight suspicions: guy says it had one owner from new, and the lens has been on the camera since new. I wouldn't have thought of putting that lens on that camera in the first place, but I don't know much. Does the barrel damage tell of a dark secret in its past? And how on earth is the glass so perfect looking?

Thoughts, please?

(Thing is, Ffordes have a DR with 'slight signs of use' for a fair bit less...)

 

[laptoprob]

Yes it is steep. And, an M1 is exotic but without rangefinder...

Rob.

 

[Ben Z]

This is a bit speculative as, bar a miracle, I don't have the money to spend. [

A bit speculative?

Split to give the lens for GBP399.

My initial reaction was that that's a little high, but I'm not sure. And I'm definitely not sure by how much.

That's about what, $550-600 in US dollars? I'd say it's way high if the lens isn't mint. Tops $450 for one with good glass but "some damage".

But it's been on his shelf for a while and may still be there in a couple of months.

More likely forever or until they drop the price or someone uninformed buys it.

Slight suspicions: guy says it had one owner from new, and the lens has been on the camera since new. I wouldn't have thought of putting that lens on that camera in the first place, but I don't know much.

I concur with your suspicions but not for the same reason. Personally whatever a store salesman tells me I just assume is pure bull. I know one dealer who I've witnessed tell at least a dozen people about a dozen different items that it was "owned by a local doctor who used it a couple times a year".

Does the barrel damage tell of a dark secret in its past?

Doesn't seem to be much of a secret that it was damaged. The question is, does it affect the collimation or not.

And how on earth is the glass so perfect looking?

Perhaps the previous owner kept a UV filter on it all its life despite being lambasted and put-down by internet bullies, and either kept the filter when he traded the camera, or the store removed the filter to sell separately. Or, perhaps the previous owner didn't keep a UV filter on it, the front glass was loaded with cleaning marks, and he or the shop owner bid some inscrupulous repairman to polish the coating off. If you hold it under a white (like florescent) light fixture, you should see several reflections thereof. If the one that appears to be closest to the surface appears white like the light fixture rather than some color like blue, gold or purple, then the front coating is gone.

 

[Nick R.]

You can get a good tabbed summicron for about $500

 

[pbjbike]

Don't buy it. Way too many fair deals here and elsewhere. Though, it's tempting when the gear is in your hands.

Happy Holidays

 

[Goodyear]

This is the conclusion I was reaching.

Cheers, all.