what is a reasonable price for a black enamel m4?

[emraphoto]

i have a lovely black enamel m4, 50mm 'cron (purchased new at the same time as the camera so same era) and the leica meter sitting on my shelf and i am curious as to what a reasonable price would be? i see some really extraordinary prices on the ole bay and via photo arsenal but was hoping the experts here could offer up some advice?

i know i should be listing it properly in the ads but i am not entirely convinced i am going to sell it. mod's please feel free to hit the old "delete" button if this is contravening any policies. i promise that if i decide to sell i will list it here!

i will attach a photo for reference...

 

[35mmdelux]

can you describe the condition? Cla? aging?

 

[35mmdelux]

The ceiling would be mitigated by the MP (latest) that can be had used for $2000.

 

[emraphoto]

it's in very good shape. speeds are on, alignment is on, timer works etc. it is off as i type this for a full service so it would be in tip top shape. the 'cron will be serviced as well. there is a bit of brassing on the m4 but it is very minimal.

from the research i have done the $2000 price seems a tad low? i have seen them sell for $1500 more just for the body in the past two months? i guess that's where i get confused... the pricing can be extremely high!

 

[35mmdelux]

There was an BP M4 for sale here last year for $2500 and it was in incredible shape ...and yes from well known seller. The camera languished for a while.

 

[bob338]

the market for them does seem to be down right now. i bought a beat up one for $800 a few weeks ago, but it was really dented up.
i think they've been going for around the $2k mark on ebay lately, but i'm going off memory, not research.

bob

edit--here is the one i just bought. http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=69519&d=1241546459

 

[emraphoto]

my understanding is there are black chrome m4s and black enamel m4s with the black enamel being worth considerably more (i have an enamel verified via serial number).

would it be better to postpone the cla at this point?

that certainly is a "beat up" version bob!

i 'll post a photo or two more...

 

[35mmdelux]

Postpone CLA immediately until the experts have chimmed in, possibly in various fora.

 

[splitimageview]

CLA isn't going to affect the sale price positively, imho. Does it have the L seal intact?

 

[emraphoto]

L seal is in place and cla is postponed! thank you so much for your help folks!

 

[rlouzan]

Leica M4 Black paint + $2500
50mm f2 Summicron-m 1968? $550
Leica meter $125

 

[emraphoto]

thank you very much folks!

 

[emraphoto]

you're a good man fred!

 

[Trius]

John, I wish I had the cash to buy this from you, as I find your work in Nigeria to be so good that it would be an honour to support you in this way. Of course, I would use the camera "mercilessly", thereby "devaluing" it ... unless a lot of brassing improves the value, of course. 😉

As far as cameras go, I'm a user, not a collector, so none of the Leica models that are rare/collectible are for me.

Good luck.

 

[emraphoto]

what a brilliant thing to say Trius. i cannot explain how much that means to me.

i have been so torn about what to do with this thing but at this point it equals a return trip (barring one of my pitches actually working) and i must return. without getting to deep into it what is going on there is wrong. it has now become my problem as well as theirs. (hows that for responsible journalism?) i have the blessing of M.E.N.D (and a few other folks) to return without the fear of harm and to be able to work in the area. i don't reckon i will get the same "guarantee" out of the JTF.

i recently stopped being a "collector" and have become a ruthless and relentless "user".

mods - regardless of whether the camera ends up in the classifieds here i will place an ad of some sorts in the next few days so this doesn't contravene any procedures.