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Leica Collectors - What have I stumbled upon?


ryan1938

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So, I found a pair of 35mm summicrons (version 3) at an outrageous price and bought them both thinking I would sell one and keep the other. This was a week or so ago... Today, I broke them out to give them a look see and noticed something pretty incredible - their serial numbers are consecutive.

 

I'm sort of speechless... Both are in mint, as new condition... Like they've never been used. And I don't really know what I should do with them. I really would like to use one, but would it be smart to break apart this pair and sell the other?

 

I'm not a collector - I'm a user... and need some advice.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Ryan

 

P.S. Excuse the poor iPhone photo

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So, I found a pair of 35mm summicrons (version 3) at an outrageous price and bought them both thinking I would sell one and keep the other. This was a week or so ago... Today, I broke them out to give them a look see and noticed something pretty incredible - their serial numbers are consecutive.

 

I'm sort of speechless... Both are in mint, as new condition... Like they've never been used. And I don't really know what I should do with them. I really would like to use one, but would it be smart to break apart this pair and sell the other?

 

I'm not a collector - I'm a user... and need some advice.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Ryan

 

P.S. Excuse the poor iPhone photo

 

*****

Tough call. Having consecutive serial numbers means a lot with money bills. Try a few dealers and see what they say. I wouldn't sell just one until you got feedback.

Best,

Steve

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I guess the original owner kept the pair for same reason that you think they should worth extra something. But since you got them with incredible good price, chances are that's not so in the market.

 

 

 

 

 

So, I found a pair of 35mm summicrons (version 3) at an outrageous price and bought them both thinking I would sell one and keep the other. This was a week or so ago... Today, I broke them out to give them a look see and noticed something pretty incredible - their serial numbers are consecutive.

 

I'm sort of speechless... Both are in mint, as new condition... Like they've never been used. And I don't really know what I should do with them. I really would like to use one, but would it be smart to break apart this pair and sell the other?

 

I'm not a collector - I'm a user... and need some advice.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Ryan

 

P.S. Excuse the poor iPhone photo

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I guess the original owner kept the pair for same reason that you think they should worth extra something. But since you got them with incredible good price, chances are that's not so in the market.

 

I bought the pair for about 1/4 of the price of what a really good example goes for on eBay, so I'm not confident the previous owner was aware of what he had. At this point, I feel guilty about it and am going to contact the seller and fill him in. If these lenses end up being worth far more than what two crons go for, then I think its only right that I kick him some money back as well. Karma and all...

 

All that said, I have emailed some dealers. A guy by the name of Dan at Tamarkin is the only response I've gotten and in his opinion, I should try selling them as a pair. Whatever be the case, I've decided that tamarkin is my new dealer. It's the little things...

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I bought the pair for about 1/4 of the price of what a really good example goes for on eBay, so I'm not confident the previous owner was aware of what he had. At this point, I feel guilty about it and am going to contact the seller and fill him in. If these lenses end up being worth far more than what two crons go for, then I think its only right that I kick him some money back as well. Karma and all...

 

All that said, I have emailed some dealers. A guy by the name of Dan at Tamarkin is the only response I've gotten and in his opinion, I should try selling them as a pair. Whatever be the case, I've decided that tamarkin is my new dealer. It's the little things...

 

If I'm not mistaken, pico mentioned consecutive body numbers in his possession. Imagine all four from the same year...

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1. "Dan" at Tamarkin is the man himself - Dan Tamarkin, boss and son of the founder. I respect his opinion in this regard.

 

2. From the serial numbers (confirmed by appearance) these are 1976 version 3 Summicrons, and not to step on anyone's toes, but that means...

 

a. They are not all that great optically - adequate, but essentially 6-element cost-cutting lenses from the era (M5) when Leica was getting ready to abandon the M line altogether. The v.4 (with a 7th corrective element) or ASPH 35 Summicrons, or 35 Summarit f/2.5, are better shooting lenses. IMHO

 

b. They have the older thick chrome mount rings, which are not convertable to 6-bit coding (except via third-party machining).

 

So I also would tend to say - find a collector for whom the numbering and condition are more important than the usability, see what you can get, and spend it on a user lens of some type.

 

They are definitely an interesting find, and I hope they reach a nice home...

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Back in 1968 I found a similar pair of LTM 3.5 Summarons in bubbles with sequential serials. I bought one with a IIIf body, and it has served me well ever since. After a week or so I went back for its mate, but it had been sold. Not high value either, but a neat pair.

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Is this version with plastic assembly inside ?

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Guest Ansel_Adams

Version 3 Crons are not worth that much SH. The market is very tough at the moment. I would sit on them for a while or use one and sell the other. IMO you are unlikely to get a higher price because you have two with sequential numbers. Also, they will be worth less if they do not include the original packaging from a collectors perspective.

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there was a seller on ebay who was trying to sell a pair of Mda bodies with consecutive numbers... They were re-listed many times and never seemed to sell. Give Westlich an email- they will give you an estimate. I am guessing there is not much of a premium there... but who knows?

 

Alternatively- you can make a really nice stereo camera out of them ;-)

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Although I'm in Sydney I've dealt with Dan for a number of lens purchases and will continue to deal with him in the future. In fact he's currently trying to source a lens for me.

 

I would trust his opinion.

 

I am fairly new to all this .... but please tell me about this sourcing. How do I get in on this. I am very interested in a black summilux on ebay right now but I want to be sure its the real deal. It looks great and has paperwork to match it. But im now curious as to other ways to verify its authenticity.

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