Used Noctilux: When will prices level off?

[eleskin]

Boy am I glad I purchased my used Noctilux (late 1990's version, mint) for $4,600 2 years ago. I first wanted one in the early 1990s, but back then, 2K plus was too much for me. I saved, and finally 2 years ago I bought one on Ebay from another pro photographer (I had other costs over the years, so I can say I saved for a few months 2 years ago to get it).

Once in a while, I check Ebay, and boy, these things keep going up! I really feel I bought mine cheap (at the time, I had a lump in my throat when I pressed buy it now on Ebay 2 years ago). It must be the demand the M8 and to a much more extent the M9 has created in addition to the film M users.

So will I see a 20K Noctilux in 10 years? Seems like a better investment than Gold!

Nice thing is you can use the thing to create really beautiful photographs!!!!

 

[maddoc]

I also wonder why prices steadily increase for the 50/1.0 when reading the many critical comments about "bokeh" in general and the Noctilux in particular. 🙄 😉

 

[Freakscene]

I got mine for an incredibly good price when Leica looked like they were not going to bring out a digital M. I will never part with it.

The prices may level off when the supply of 50/0.95 lenses is adequate to effectively cap the upper end and the rush of M9 users buying lenses flattens off. With Leicas being very popular in developing markets, this may take a very long time or may not happen at all.

Marty

 

[peter_n]

It's discontinued and a different lens from the f0.95 version. Prices will probably continue to rise.

 

[Renzsu]

I got mine just a week or two ago for 3250 Euro, including the box, hood, papers and UV filter. 1981 lens, I'm the second owner. I think I got a pretty cracking deal, I don't see prices going down any time soon.

 

[urban_alchemist]

I've got both the 0.95 and the 1.0 - they are both such different lenses, I don't think you'll find people lusting after one or the other, they'll lust after both. The difference (over and above the speed) is the reason I think the availability and price of one will have little effect on the other.

I bought my 1.0 about 3 years ago for about $2,000: lightly used by someone who was liquidating his collection. I haven't checked how much it's worth, because you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

Or, should I say, my wife's. I have an M9, she has an M8u and the f1.0 is the only lense she uses on it. The cropped sensor makes it a portrait lense, and crops the wavy focus-fields. That just leaves the best bit: the silk-smooth, dream-like transition without any distractions.

Honestly, i think the f1.0 is better wide-open on the M8 than on the M9...

 

[Renzsu]

I bought my 0.95 about 3 years ago for about $2,000

the 0.95? serious? 😱

 

[urban_alchemist]

the 0.95? serious? 😱

Sorry... meant my f1.0... 😱

Allow me to go back... and...

Nothing to see here 😛