Strange Leica MP-455 [non-original black-paint] on Yahoo Auctions (Japan)

maddoc

maddoc

... likes film again.
Local time
6:12 AM
Joined
Dec 27, 2006
Messages
7,659
Location
名古屋
View My Gallery
I was pointed to this auction on the Japanese Yahoo Auction site where a non-original black painted Leica MP-455 is offered for sale. Despite the paint job (not by Leitz as I understood. The seller states it was silver-chrome originally) the camera has a self timer and Buddha-style strap-lugs. There was no MP with self-timer except for the MP-39* (double serial number, auctioned at LPfoto Auctions in Stockholm in December 2014), which also had small strap lugs.

The seller in the Yahoo Auction refuses to show the bottom of the camera with removed loading scheme, so we cannot see if there is the "P-455" as is should be.

http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d224564375

Just curious, any chance that this is an (modified) Leica MP or some Frankenleica assembled from parts (M3 body shell with old-type strap-lugs), M2 mechanics with M2 type frame counter, MP top-plate) ?

(No connections to the seller)
 
Hi Gabor,

Checking this auction as well - the seller has answered 8 questions already and seems to be open to anything except opening the bottom plate. He says he can't start messing with the camera now - after people have already placed their bids.

He did take more photos of the camera and uploaded it here:

http://yahoo.jp/box/6ugYbe

It shows the film chamber - people were asking him they want to see where the Leicavit would connect etc.

Very strange item, reading about original MP's, some say there wasn't really 500 built and Leica stopped just slightly above 400... yet here is MP-455

Ben
 
I saw this camera as well. But I saw a very similar one at a used camera shop with the same poor quality paint. The owner of the shop didn't pretend that the camera was a real MP, and the cost was about $2000.
 
Interesting auction indeed. I saw it a few days back, and reading through the questions and answers then I got the impression the seller was not being completely forthcoming. He's up to 11 questions and answers now and I'm still getting the same impression. I'm not in the market for an original MP so its just an idle interest on my part, but anyone who is and is looking at this auction should definitely proceed with caution.
 
It certainly is no real MP. Where is the Leicavit?

There are only 402 MP's made, the first 150 in black paint, so if this is a real one, it should be chrome.

I can not get a good view to the pictures, but I guess it is an M2 with selftimer in an M3 sleeve rigged with black paint parts, real or not.

Erik.
 
The camera sold for 598,000 Japanese yen - or the equivalent of $5,370 USD.
Like Jon says the seller did answer all questions but left a lot of ambiguity - refusing to open up the bottom of the camera saying there are already bidders who placed their bids while the camera wasn't yet opened and it wouldn't be fair to them starting to fiddle with it mid-auction.

The seller did state that it was a Chrome MP and then he had it repainted black and had a full Overhaul done on it. No mention of the Leicavit and also number 455 is a serial that is believed never to have been manufactured. Like Erik states, 402 are known...

Ben
 
That is quite a high selling price for that camera. I once heard that there were some spare MP top-plates around so that maybe explains the high SN#?
 
Haha good one.

The seller was very clear on no returns under any circumstances. He says during the OH things might have been replaced etc. He warned bidders to only bid if they are comfortable with the no return policy.

Someone now is the proud (or sad) owner of a ridiculously overpriced M2/3 hybrid 🙂

Ben
 
bence8810 said:
The seller was very clear on no returns under any circumstances.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that it is indeed possible to return something purchased via the Yahoo Japan auctions, even if a seller states "no claim, no return" or similar. But its a tedious process and there has to be a clear discrepancy between the actual received item and the seller's description of the item.

In this particular case, I'd say the seller has done a good job of covering his a55 with his unwillingness to check the serial number underneath the base plate and stating that its normal for an old camera to have parts replaced during servicing (parts is parts!) etc. So the buyer really is stuck with this one 😱
 
jonmanjiro said:
My understanding is that it is indeed possible to return something purchased via the Yahoo Japan auctions, even if a seller states "no claim, no return" or similar. But its a tedious process and there has to be a clear discrepancy between the actual received item and the seller's description of the item.

In this particular case, I'd say the seller has done a good job of covering his a55 with his unwillingness to check the serial number underneath the base plate and stating that its normal for an old camera to have parts replaced during servicing (parts is parts!) etc. So the buyer really is stuck with this one 😱
Click to expand...

Fully agree - on the plus side the camera will look good on his / her shelf 🙂
 
One photo shows under the film loading plate now. I still have no idea what that means for authenticity. I'm plenty happy with my M3 and M2, no need for an MP just now.... 🙂
 
This time from South Korea... wonder if the person who bought it was from there and now wants to get some of his investment back? Lots of Koreans speak Japanese or live in Japan so for those who do it's quite easy to purchase something off Yahoo Japan.

At least on the new ad it is stated as "Not Original" - so you basically pay a premium for something that looks similar to the original. Not an ugly piece after all..

Ben
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
  • Article Article
(Almost) Everything you wanted to know about Black Paint Leica Rangefinders
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
11K
Freakscene
Freakscene
J
  • Article Article
Are Leicas really too expensive? And what about Nikons? History tells the tale!
8 9 10
Replies
183
Views
23K
Dralowid
Dralowid
J
  • Article Article
BURNING FILM! The Nikon vs. Canon Motor Drive Wars, Part 1
2
Replies
26
Views
4K
1936ContaxII
1936ContaxII
J
  • Article Article
The Most Advanced 35mm Rangefinder Cameras Ever. Part 1: Leicas
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
johnf04
J
J
  • Article Article
The Most Beautiful Cameras Ever Made: Part 1, Interchangeable Lens Rangefinder 35s
3 4 5
Replies
80
Views
14K
Richard G
Richard G
Back
Top Bottom