edhohoho
Established
Hi,
I am an amateur and newbie to rangefinders but am really enjoying the use of my rangefinder camera and have recently been interested in some lenses that are no longer in production. Specifically, I am looking for the Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-M pre-ASPH E46 and Leica 35/1.4 Summilux-M pre-ASPH in mint condition with original packaging and accessories. I have been trying to find them on the usual places like eBay, rangefinder forums, and some online stores but with no luck.
Do you have any recommendations on other places or people I can try? Is it just a matter of timing? I'd be interested in tips that collectors might have. Although I am by no means a collector, I appreciate having things like lenses in nice condition because they are so expensive as it is and I like to use them while at the same time take good care of them.
I'm located in the US, so I would prefer to deal domestically although I am certainly open to reputable sources abroad.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.
Sincerely,
Edmund
I am an amateur and newbie to rangefinders but am really enjoying the use of my rangefinder camera and have recently been interested in some lenses that are no longer in production. Specifically, I am looking for the Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-M pre-ASPH E46 and Leica 35/1.4 Summilux-M pre-ASPH in mint condition with original packaging and accessories. I have been trying to find them on the usual places like eBay, rangefinder forums, and some online stores but with no luck.
Do you have any recommendations on other places or people I can try? Is it just a matter of timing? I'd be interested in tips that collectors might have. Although I am by no means a collector, I appreciate having things like lenses in nice condition because they are so expensive as it is and I like to use them while at the same time take good care of them.
I'm located in the US, so I would prefer to deal domestically although I am certainly open to reputable sources abroad.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.
Sincerely,
Edmund
Krosya
Konicaze
did you try keh.com?
or adorama, or bhphoto?
But I'd say ebay is your best bet.
or adorama, or bhphoto?
But I'd say ebay is your best bet.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Patience and luck ... I bought my first Leica last year in January, searched for some information about lenses that could fit my needs, and decided on the same lenses as you are looking for now.
The 35mm Summilux I found in February last year via a thread at photo.net, where somebody mentioned that he wants to sell this lens. I contacted him and was lucky that he sold it to me (mint, complete with box and everything, German made version). The 50mm Summilux-M I found here at the classifieds at RFF one month later (same mint condition as the 35mm Summilux but in chrome). The seller tried hard to get rid of it ...(there was a big hype about the 50mm Summilux-M ASPH at that time here ...).
The 35mm Summilux I found in February last year via a thread at photo.net, where somebody mentioned that he wants to sell this lens. I contacted him and was lucky that he sold it to me (mint, complete with box and everything, German made version). The 50mm Summilux-M I found here at the classifieds at RFF one month later (same mint condition as the 35mm Summilux but in chrome). The seller tried hard to get rid of it ...(there was a big hype about the 50mm Summilux-M ASPH at that time here ...).
b.espahbod
Optophile
Amateur with good taste and massive appetite.
zeitz
Established
kevincameras.com has an amazing inventory. It is not really a store, but you can pick up your order at his office in downtown Los Angeles. Descriptions of condition are outstanding. Prices are high, but negotiable. If you want it now, he is likely to have it and you'll know what you are getting. Camera West, Dan Black, Tamarkin, Sam Shoshan are other options. European prices are high. But I've had great success with Foto Hobby Rahn and Leica Shop. Photo Arsenal is the world's leader in high prices.
horosu
Well-known
Patience...
Patience...
I have a Summilux ASPH 50/1.4 LHSA that I have been looking for quite intensely. I wanted just the black paint lens and not the complete MP3 outfit, so that made the search even more difficult. It was impossible to find in the usual places ( the bay, keh, leicashop, shphoto.de). FFordes had only the chrome outfit for sale. RFF membe Turtle had such a lens and offered it for sale here, but it was gone, and I mean gone and paid for, in 10 minutes after the ad appeared here!!
I posted a WTB on the Leica Forum, here and on p.net and to my surprise two weeks lated someone contacted me and I am now an extremely satisfied user of this lens, which I intend to use it till all the paint is gone (it already seems to brass in some places...)
IMHO, rare items pop-up seldomly and when they do, they dissapear almost instantly. I think that posting a WTB ad lets potential sellers contact you directly, but you must have a lot of patience...
Well, this is MHO anyway.
Best of luck, Horea
Patience...
I have a Summilux ASPH 50/1.4 LHSA that I have been looking for quite intensely. I wanted just the black paint lens and not the complete MP3 outfit, so that made the search even more difficult. It was impossible to find in the usual places ( the bay, keh, leicashop, shphoto.de). FFordes had only the chrome outfit for sale. RFF membe Turtle had such a lens and offered it for sale here, but it was gone, and I mean gone and paid for, in 10 minutes after the ad appeared here!!
I posted a WTB on the Leica Forum, here and on p.net and to my surprise two weeks lated someone contacted me and I am now an extremely satisfied user of this lens, which I intend to use it till all the paint is gone (it already seems to brass in some places...)
IMHO, rare items pop-up seldomly and when they do, they dissapear almost instantly. I think that posting a WTB ad lets potential sellers contact you directly, but you must have a lot of patience...
Well, this is MHO anyway.
Best of luck, Horea
Vickko
Veteran
A couple more sites to search:
www.camerawest.com. Ask for Sean, he has loads of collectibles.
www.popflash.com. Ask for Tony - the lenses you are looking for aren't that rare (relatively speaking).
....Vick
www.camerawest.com. Ask for Sean, he has loads of collectibles.
www.popflash.com. Ask for Tony - the lenses you are looking for aren't that rare (relatively speaking).
....Vick
edhohoho
Established
Thanks so much for all your responses. My search was greatly broadened.
And yes, this grasshopper could definitely use a lot more patience.
Thanks again for all your help!
And yes, this grasshopper could definitely use a lot more patience.
Thanks again for all your help!
Robin-T
Old skool newbie
I find myself in the same boat....
Bill58
Native Texan
Avoid Photo Arsenal like a plague, but Brooklyn Camera, Ritzcam, Pacific Rim, Bergen County Camera, Manfred Schmidt, and Setadel Studios have been reliable sellers for me.
You can also join and post a WTB ad by email on the Leica User's Forum (LUG).
You can also join and post a WTB ad by email on the Leica User's Forum (LUG).
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
one last tip: Be prepared to pay for what you want, especially if its hard to find. He who hesitates losses.
Paying a small premium sometimes works in your favor: 1) you get what you want, 2) you save time, energy, and effort by not having to keep on looking.
Paying a small premium sometimes works in your favor: 1) you get what you want, 2) you save time, energy, and effort by not having to keep on looking.
tomasis
Well-known
itd be interesting to know if older lenses as "new" might cost same as new or used ASPH lenses? I mean it seems hard to get such new shiny boxes of old classics.
cameosis
word? up!
but they seem to make a living off of it ... beyond me. i once missed an auction for a lens brochure and asked if he would sell it again. he raised the price by 10 euros and offered it to me. i never replied and certainly will never buy anything from someone that greedy.