Leica Noctilux 1.2/50mm

[Ivar B]

I have a Noctilux 1.2/50mm in mint condition, with hood and box with matching serial number, but the box is a little worn.

I have seen this lens for sale a few times recently, but nowhere near in as nice condition as mine. I am considering selling this lens. Does anyone have an idea what the correct price is? Have you seen any recent transactions?

[jedi996sps]

I was 'watching' one on ebay in the UK a couple of months ago....it went for £620.00 which surprised me, but i assumed it was down to people wanting the f1.0. It was a 1973 lense described as being in mint condition. Hope that helps.

[leicabasar]

8,500 US$ Offer!

[Ivar B]

Originally Posted by jedi996sps

I was 'watching' one on ebay in the UK a couple of months ago....it went for £620.00 which surprised me, but i assumed it was down to people wanting the f1.0. It was a 1973 lense described as being in mint condition. Hope that helps.

This was a fraud, and there is one out on eBay now too (maybe the same guy):

Leica Leitz Noctilux-M 50mm f1.2 ASPH Mint- RARE ! - (eBay item 270169322590 end time Sep-28-07 11:41:24 PDT)

Everyone understands that this is fraud so no one sound in body and mind will bid, and hence the price stays low. I think the latest one I saw on eBay was sold for €5500 or so, but as I said mine is much nicer and we all know that condition means everything.

[jedi996sps]

Dont u just love ebay!!....presuming he was of sound if not fraudulent mind, the ID of the person selling it was 'mreduskani', just in case.

[Eng_Yeo]

How can one tells that it is a fraud? Please let me know that I may learn.
Thanks

Eng

[Ivar B]

Originally Posted by Eng_Yeo

How can one tells that it is a fraud? Please let me know that I may learn.
Thanks

Eng

Well, firstly this is a very rare lens, you only see see 2 - 3 lenses a year being for sale. Secondly, this seller has no feedbacks and has just recently joined eBay. Being a new seller with no feedback will mean that many poential buyers will not bid, and the seller risks losing thousands. People give away large amounts of money for free only in rare circumstances.

If I had a very valuable item for sale (and this is an extremely sought after and easy lens to sell) and had no eBay record, I would certainly sell it through a friend or something with a sound feedback record or maybe just sell it to a shop.

Putting yourself in the shoes of an honest seller, and using the reasonable assumption that he is sound in body and mind, will tell you that this offer is too good to be true.

[luigi bertolotti]

Ivar, I found these two sold in Vienna at Westlicht Auction in May 2005 : can be a good reference ; note the second has hood, while the first no... and none of them had the original box (it would have been surely quoted if present). If you really wish to sell it... wait, but get a RIGHT PRICE... is a rare and very collectible item.

Nocti1_Westlicht.jpg

Noctilux 1.2/50mm with aspheric lenses, a few faint scratches on the lenses - otherwise in mint condition, case, cap

Condition: A-
Year: 1968
Serial no. 2255176 EUR 1.600 (Start price)EUR 2.520 (Hammer price incl. premium)

Nocti2_Westlicht.jpg

LOT 172
Noctilux 1.2/50mm

the famous 6-element Noctilux 1.2 with aspheric lenses, in very good condition, original hood 12503, both caps
Condition: B/A
Year: 1973
Serial no. 2556731 EUR 2.000 (Start price)EUR 3.840 (Hammer price incl. premium)

[luigi bertolotti]

BTW, Westlicht Auction (connected with Leicashop of Wien - Peter Coeln) makes regularly a pair of auctions a year... I think would be easy to contact them if you'd like to put your Nocti for sale... and not necessarly on auction... 4 or 5 years ago I offered them a IIIG body with Leicavit and they simply acquired it for cash, after that I sent it to them for inspection (to be precise, for cash, in the sense that I was planning to buy other kind of items from them, and we arrange a compensation)

[blakley]

KEH had one in good condition earlier in the year; I think the price listed then was about $6500, which seemed low even before the new Noct. price increase and subsequent scarcity. $8500 sounds plausible, but it will depend a lot on the buyer. Collectors might pay more for one in pristine condition with original packaging. By the way the hood is VERY important if you want to use the lens; it's the only way you can fit a filter to it, as the lens accepts series filters.

[ddp]

New Jersey based dealer has one on their site for $4995 in EXC+ condition - whether it's still available or not, I can't confirm.

[luigi bertolotti]

I think that the price of a Nocti 1,2 has not to be put in relation with the list price of the present Nocti 1,0 ... they are different THINGS... If one looks for a 1,0 is surely mainly FOR USE, and maybe you search for a used item (whose price, IS related to the list price of the new)... but if one searches for a 1,2 is mainly for is a collector's item... not that it is a bad lens (I had one many years ago... a sad story...), but if I would have to choose between shooting with an old Nocti at 1,2 or a new Summilux asph at 1,4 ... no doubt for the Lux... and I suspect that for a M8 user if one has the frenzy of 1,2 there is an elegant Voigt that I doubt performs worst than the venerable Noctilux. Collecting is different... I'm very proud of my Thambar 90 (with filter... but no hood ) and wouldn't sell it for, say, 2500 US$ or so, but if sometimes I use it... just for joking.
Collector's market has economics of its own... Thambar is a "limit case", but you have still good user lenses that are valued less lenses that one likes to use for affection only (see, for example, a 50 Summicron of the '60s Vs. a 50 Xenon in GOOD conditions)

But, don't forget : OUR RULE is "ALL old Leitz lenses are anyway usable !!!

[dkpeterborough]

If you wish to sell it maybe worth considering offering it at say US$7000 ???

dunk

[Eng_Yeo]

Thank you, Ivar for taking time to explain. Appreciate your answer.

[sparkie]

Originally Posted by Ivar B

I have a Noctilux 1.2/50mm in mint condition, with hood and box with matching serial number, but the box is a little worn.

I have seen this lens for sale a few times recently, but nowhere near in as nice condition as mine. I am considering selling this lens. Does anyone have an idea what the correct price is? Have you seen any recent transactions?

If its truly Like New. And boxed with hood. and the Box is similarly mint or very near it with matching number AND the Leitz warranty card and possibly even the sales receipt -- then the sky's the limit. PROVIDING there is a buyer for it. Prices go up as well as down depending on market fluctuations of supply & demand. The Leica International Price Guide 8th edition which even though is several yrs old is still the last known edition to my knowledge states a value of $4000 USD. with an R8 rarity rating. These valuations are based on average condition ie. Ex++ range. If your lens is truly mint, then its possible its worth in the 5000+ range. Which by the way is very close to the value sold on the auction Luigi referenced above. EUR 3840 = approx USD $5,333

If you happen to advertise to a collector who just happens to be missing this lens in his collection or wants to get one in better condition then he may pay $6000 and above. who knows

[Ivar B]

My note stirred so much interest that I need to sit down a day or two and think about this. Best offer so far $9000! Regrettably, the dollar is super weak at the moment and being an economist, I don`t think this will change any time soon.

[sparkie]

Originally Posted by Ivar B

My note stirred so much interest that I need to sit down a day or two and think about this. Best offer so far $9000! Regrettably, the dollar is super weak at the moment and being an economist, I don`t think this will change any time soon.

$9000?! -- what are you waiting for

[Tony C.]

Originally Posted by Ivar B

My note stirred so much interest that I need to sit down a day or two and think about this. Best offer so far $9000! Regrettably, the dollar is super weak at the moment and being an economist, I don`t think this will change any time soon.

Ivar,

If you received an offer for $9,000.00, you really should accept it. The value of that lens is as a collector's item, as most everyone agrees that the Noctilux 1.0 is a better lens to use. As someone already mentioned, a U.S. dealer has one listed for $4,995.00, though it is on hold (I know the dealer).

Regards,

Tony C.

[Ivar B]

Maybe I will. Not easy to let go of something when you know that you will never find another one.

[luigi bertolotti]

Ivar... have you finally SOLD ? When I look so near to an important trade of items I like a lot, I cannot not to remember to me the famous "McKeown laws on rare items":

1) "Anytime you pass by an item you really desire, you'll never find it again for years"
2) "Anytime you finally decide to buy an item, you'll find another for sale soon afterwards, at a lower price"
But this is from the buyer's perspective....