Leica LTM Summitar Price?

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
kully

kully

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I was wondering how much I should ask for an uncoated 1939 Summitar with SOOPD hood, B+W filter and caps. No cleaning marks that I can see with mein eyes nor haze/fungus and focus is smooth...

I don't want to put it on eBay...
 
I'll give you at least one relevant data point. About 3 months ago paid $175 (incl. shipping/paypal) for a very nice condition coated summitar with caps. No hood or filter.
 
"Uncoated" pre 1945 Summitar`s are RARE and desirable, one in very good condition, no fogging, nicks dings etc. with caps and hood (is that the original black bakelite cap and hood?) I would put a price of at least $300 on it - I have a 1940 and I would`nt sell it for less than $350 if I wanted to......

Postwar Summitar`s are common and run in the $125 to $200 ranges - this is USA prices btw

Tom
 
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Hi Kully,

I paid £110 for my uncoated pre-war Summitar in January this year from an eBay auction - no hood or filter, and only the front cap. The collapsing barrel is about 50% brassed, but it's in optically superb condition.

(Btw, if you'd consider selling the hood separately, I'd be interested)
 
He he... £700 quid, then of course it is a bargain at £675 and I give you this toothbrush for free only used a few times.

Thanks everyone, especially oscroft and LeicaTom.
 
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landsknechte said:
Why do the prewar models go for so much more, when so many photographers avoid the uncoated lenses like the plague?
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It`s all a "collectors" thing with these - though I shot Kodachrome with one on my IIIA for years and the photos were simply amazing, I like to use pre-war/wartime issue "uncoated" lenses often in my work it enhances the Retro look in both color and blk n wht

Tom

PS : If you ever decide the sell that "uncoated" Summar I sold you let me know I`ll buy it back from you 🙂
 
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I think you can expect $250 or so. I advise you to try the auction service here -- and not to set too high a reserve. Lots of us would like to take a crack at it! 🙂
 
LeicaTom said:
It`s all a "collectors" thing with these - though I shot Kodachrome with one on my IIIA for years and the photos were simply amazing, I like to use pre-war/wartime issue "uncoated" lenses often in my work it enhances the Retro look in both color and blk n wht

Tom

PS : If you ever decide the sell that "uncoated" Summar I sold you let me know I`ll buy it back from you 🙂
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That's exactly the same reason that I prefer the uncoated lenses myself. Seems like we're in a minority though, which is fine with me.

If I ever do sell, you've got first dibs.
 
landsknechte said:
That's exactly the same reason that I prefer the uncoated lenses myself. Seems like we're in a minority though, which is fine with me.

If I ever do sell, you've got first dibs.
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Yes, I just acquired a "uncoated" (first series 3 ring) f1.5 50mm Xenon, I`m dying to use with some slide film 😀

I think most real art photographers and Retro/Vintage shooters like us, go for the "uncoated" look, sometimes my old Summitar in Germany (the 1939 one) used to make such amazing photos, all blass and faded out pastel looking

Tom
 
LeicaTom said:
"Uncoated" pre 1945 Summitar`s are RARE and desirable, one in very good condition, no fogging, nicks dings etc. with caps and hood (is that the original black bakelite cap and hood?) I would put a price of at least $300 on it - I have a 1940 and I would`nt sell it for less than $350 if I wanted to......

Postwar Summitar`s are common and run in the $125 to $200 ranges - this is USA prices btw

Tom
Click to expand...

Tom,

Which serial numbers are for the pre-war Summitars? I think, my modelis a post war Summarit.
 
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raid said:
Tom,

Which serial numbers are for the pre-war Summitars? I think, my modelis a post war Summarit.
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#500xxx series Summitar to about #599xxx are 1939/40 to 1945 lenses

Most made before #588xxx were "uncoated" - many were postwar coated by American GI`s at the factory or by German photoshop`s in the late 40`s early 50`s

Finding good clean one`s are`nt as easy as one thinks from this era - these lenses were used hard during the war, just like the Elmar`s were, clean examples made before #600xxx are very collectable and few and far between, I`m looking for a decent one now bullt before #600xxx (maybe in the #589xxx series)

Tom
 
My $390 Summitar (!)

My $390 Summitar (!)

I've owned three Summitars. I paid $150, and $175 for the second. Each time I thought that I was getting a good lens for its age. Then I paid $390 for one a mint one from Kevin's Cameras with absolutely pristine glass.

I'm glad I did (cognitive dissonance theory excluded). This is the prime user Summitar, post war coated, without the later 1950 hex Summar re-issue iris.

This lens does not flare that badly without a hood, is better than the early Summicrons and has good contrast.

Good Summitars are VERY hard to find. They are an absolute joy to use and make exceptional photos (especially with the newer color negative films). Of all my 50's I feel that is my best for portrait work. My DR Summicron is better all round technically, but for the 'look' the Summitar is my favorite and I use it more than the DR.
 

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Thanks for the replies everyone. I have someone who wants to buy, but it that falls through I'll have no qualms in keeping it myself 🙂

I'll never love the flare though.
 
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