Collecting Cameras

[bindrar]

Hi,

Are special edition Leica cameras worth buying as an investment?

I know this is going to get ugly, but I already have two cameras for use (four including two Canons) and so will not miss (too much) if I keep a third in a box, locked away.

And what about the MP 3 LHSA as a starter?

[stunsworth]

I'd expect you'd get a better return by investing the money in a savings account.

My personal opinion is that cameras Leicas are superb instruments and should be used, the people who designed and built them deserve nothing less.

[TimF]

I'd expect you'd get a better return by investing the money in a savings account.

Unless it was the sort with derisory interest rates (0.1% anyone) that some of our "generous" high street banks offer while the execs shovel money into suitcases.

I agree with Steve though - Leicas (and indeed any camera) are for using if possible. So far as I know, the special editions don't have any value as investments. You might get back whatever you paid (unless that was outlandish to begin with) but no more really.

[dkpeterborough]

Originally Posted by bindrar

Hi,

Are special edition Leica cameras worth buying as an investment?

I know this is going to get ugly, but I already have two cameras for use (four including two Canons) and so will not miss (too much) if I keep a third in a box, locked away.

And what about the MP 3 LHSA as a starter?

There are so many 'special editions' .... personally I would have thought it better to try and concentrate on Leicas with interesting and proven (documented) provenances ie once owned by celebrities ... also some common Leica cameras and lenses are scarce or rare in mint condition and thus can be sought after in that condition even though they are very common in used condition ... and some Leica cameras and lenses are scarce but not 'box office' thus 'sleepers' at the moment and thus might be a good investment ... I'm thinking of the apparently unloved SL2 MOT and maybe the R4S Model2. Cameras with interesting provenances are listed in auction catalogues eg Christie's and Sotheby's .... but even some of these fail to sell or reach their reserves. I managed to buy a Terence Donovan camera recently .. not for any particular investment potential (he owned lots of cameras) but because I admire his work and his sense of humour.

Dunk

[andybarton]

Only collect them if you enjoy looking at them, or knowing that you own them, not if you intend to retire on the proceeds. The only ones that might be worth collecting are those that are in absolute mint condition, or are extremely rare (preferably both).

Some people only collect them if they are in factory shrink-wrapped boxes. These cameras will never see the light of day again.

[steed]

I collect for use, and in the case of cheap cameras, for display. While this is a subjective issue, the commemoratives feel like an effort to soak profit rather than a serious effort to pay tribute. Reasonable minds can differ, of course.

[earleygallery]

Should be easy enough to research on the net. Recent auction prices for ltd editions - v - original sale price when new etc.

Trouble with buying a camera to hide away in a cupboard is that when you look at it again in 10 yrs time, it's going to need a full stripdown if its ever going to be used for taking pictures. Just the same with buying a new car and not touching it for 10 years.

I'd invest my money elsewhere.

[bindrar]

Hi Guys,

I took your advice (practically all of them).

I will not buy for collection. I viewed e-bay and only the "special" cameras (owned or used by a famous person) go for high sums. Others seem to lose value (M7 Titanium started at $12.5K and was sold for 10K now goes for 7.5K).

So actually, I will think about buying a M7 titanium and use it No matter what new camera her indoors sees me with, I am upto the neck in brown smelly stuff (literally as she will expect me to do diaper duty for at least a month).

Also, for those that gave advice on my last purchase, I have just sent 4 rolls off for developing so hope to have them back next week and will post.

[rubidium]

My response to this echoes the sentiments that others have already expressed. Earlier in life I wrestled with a similar question involving sports cars - Porsches in particular. The bottom line was that I 'wasted' several years before I realized that life was too short to worry about a rogue thumbprint on a 'garage queen' rather than enjoy the machine for what it was designed to do. Now that I have a considerable investment in Leica equipment, I consider it an investment in life's pleasure, because that's what I derive from the gear - if I use it! By all means, buy a special edition Leica if it gives you pleasure. But if its your portfolio that you want to grow, I suggest finding a good stock.
Jim

[bindrar]

Hi James,

I agree, that is why I decided I will use the camera I buy - let us see if the Silicon Dioxide coating really does keep it fingerprint free...

Also, I love cars but I insist on driving them - maybe if I could go back in time, I would not have driven my Alvis TE21 that fateful day when the brakes failed, but nobody was hurt and only a Cavalier (General Motors or Opel badged, outside of UK) was crushed. One car was made of steel .., and the other wasnt.

Anyway, I am keeping my eye open for a camera I like and having one made of titanium is appealing to an engineer like me.