why is this M3 so expensive??

[JoeFriday]

HERE'S an M3 that I found on 'bay last night

the asking price is currently $1899 with an actual bid on it.. it looks like a regular DS model to me.. any idea why it's so expensive? is it just because it includes the original box and certificates?

 

[FrankS]

collector condition complete with box and documentation. crazy, huh?

 

[DerekF]

HERE'S an M3 that I found on 'bay last night

the asking price is currently $1899 with an actual bid on it.. it looks like a regular DS model to me.. any idea why it's so expensive? is it just because it includes the original box and certificates?

I guess some people are willing to pay a 1000USD+ premium just to have the original box, papers and ever-ready case. 😕 Personally, I would suggest the bidder just send some of his excess money to me since it's apparently just rotting away in his bank account waiting to be wasted away... 😀

Otherwise, the M3 in the auction doesn't seem all that special. It's not even in mint or like-new condition for the collector-types who would probably be most interested in it.

 

[back alley]

everything that seller has on auction is very pricey.

 

[jaapv]

It is a very,very nice collectors item, but seeing the number of bids, I have a feeling I am not the only one that finds the price over the top. I guess the starting bid was by the seller himself or his wife to try and get the auction going.

 

[dcsang]

collector condition complete with box and documentation. crazy, huh?

Ya see.. that's what frustrates me about the Leica folks sometimes - how rabid some get when they're collectors :bang:

Us lowly folk that would actually (heaven forbid!!) use the cameras never get the opportunity to because prices are out of control.

I'm going to take out a second mortgage and start buying..

sheesh
Dave

 

[FrankS]

Here's another way of looking at it: the collectors are doing us a favour by jacking up prices on mint Leicas and buying it up. That leaves just the user condition stuff at a lower price that we can afford (after significant saving). We get equipment that is a bit used and blemished, and that we aren't afraid to use to take pictures. Imagine the guilt in banging around a pristine Leica.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A collector with money is going to pay that kind of money for one in that condition, with the paperwork, and with the box. The inclusion of those items make it rare. A Nikon SP in that condition with "all the trimmings" would bring in over $3K.

An M3 body by itself with the case in this condition would being get over $1,000. Someone is paying to have the complete set. Save those boxes for the MP's and M7's!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I have all the boxes and papers of the stuff I've bought new. Has it made a difference? Nope. My almost mint kit zoom Nikon 28-80 D, with box and the whole kit & caboodle, had to go for some lowly $35 bucks.

So, the box and papers don't help. It's the anxious collectors the ones who push prices to this limit. That's kinda sick... I admit, these cameras are good, and feel good in your hands, but this is downright fetishism.

In any case, as Steven Gandy says, the best for us is to look for user stuff. My M3 was in user condition... and will remain so (except for the new vulcanite! 🙂 ) because I use it. 😉

Sorry... didn't mean to rant. It's been a tough week... And I need to go out and play with my new, user-condition Elmarit lens.

 

[zpuskas]

It has the plastic caps for the flash sockets...

 

[simonankor]

Frank,

Guilt?

I wish I could! But then, maybe I'm just reckless 😉

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

There are people who have money to burn. There has got to be a good reason why bidders' ids are kept private in that auction. Fishy? Perhaps.