AnakChan Posted October 14, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I'd like to get some opinions here please. I've got mostly a chrome set (24/2.8, 50/1.4, 90/2.8, M7) and am keen on adding a out-of-production Lux 35mm chrome collection. However, I'm wondering if the Lux 35mm chrome appreciates in value or at least hold it since it's out of production...or is the general Leica consensus that chromes aren't as valuable as it's black counterpart? I've got an opportunity to buy a Lux 35mm chrome for a slightly higher price than it's black counterpart but at the same time, in this particular case, it's been sitting there not attracting any interest. As such wondering if it's a general sentiment... Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 Hi AnakChan, Take a look here Any resale value in Lux 35mm chrome?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted October 14, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 14, 2009 (edited) In collector's terms , I think that Summilux 35 chrome is a lens whose destiny is to keep a good value in the years to come (of course, as a collectible, so it must be in good conditions and possibly complete with hood caps etc...); the reason is that it belongs to the breed of "special" Leitz lenses, made, at their intrduction time, to offer a higher valuable alternative to the "mainstream" lenses ... when it was announced (1961, even if my item dates to 1960) Leitz listed two other 35, f2 and f 2,8 (and the 3,5 was just discontinued): such lenses have always carried a historical "premium value" being, by definition, lower volume devices in respect to their less luminous brothers - if one has followed the market prices in the last 10-15 years, it has been like that for same-breed items like the Summarit or Xenon 50, the Summicron 90 and similar (and, moreover the "odd focals" like Summarex 85 and Hektor 73). If you add to this the fact that the chrome version was surely made in fewer numbers than the black , my opinion that it will retain a stable interest / demand in the collectors' world, probably maintaining a slight premium over the black (you know, there were also the "goggled" versions, both black or chrome); it's true that its production life was VERY long (> 30 years, and this is, usually, a "minus" for collectibles), but production figures were always low, and the chrome was discontinued after not so many years. Personally, is a lens that I love a lot in aesthetic terms : Summilux 35 and Super Angulon 21 f4, for me are a pair of "chrome little jewels" with a unique beauty of their own. Of course, within the 35s, the "definitive collectible" is the Summilux 35 "Aspherical" ... Edited October 14, 2009 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkie Posted October 14, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 14, 2009 i think the OP is referring to a chrome 35/1.4 ASPH lens rather than the vintage chrome 35/1.4's. I had a chrome 35/1.4 ASPH - very nice build quality. but i swapped it for a lighter black one. Later on I sold it for a 35/1.4 ASPHERICAL lens. To answer your question, I think it will bring a slightly higher price than a black one as these chrome lenses have been discontinued, so are a little scarcer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted October 14, 2009 Apologies on the late reply, but yes Sparkie's right...was referring to the ASPH (1994 -> <whenever they stopped making chromes>). Wow you picked up the ASPHERICAL!? I missed out on a bid for one a few days ago. Thanks Sparkie/Luigi for responding. OK good to know that chromes do retain their value. Helps me make my purchase decision easier. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted October 14, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 14, 2009 and out of utter morbid curiosity....just what does a 35/1.4 ASPHERICAL go for these days? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 14, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 14, 2009 and out of utter morbid curiosity....just what does a 35/1.4 ASPHERICAL go for these days? A LOT (there is a sort of urban legend on it as a user lens... it wouldn't suffer of the backfocusing of the current asph... haven't idea if is real). But afaik it was never made in chrome, so I am in peace of mind and don't suffer to have not it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted October 14, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was lucky enough to pick one (the asperical, not chrome) up a few years ago for less than the price of a new 35/1.4 ASPH. I use it, but only on film bodies for now. I see it pop up on auction sites now & then, but usually no bids. I wonder sometimes if using it is actually a bit insane though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted October 14, 2009 The most recent ASPHERICAL went for USD$6101 on eBay. A shop in HK has one for sale for approx $7100-7200. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted October 14, 2009 The most recent ASPHERICAL went for USD$6101 on eBay. A shop in HK has one for sale for approx $7100-7200. Bummer, I couldn't edit the previous post...back to the Chrome Lux 35mm ASPH, I let it go 'cos it didn't seem anyone else was bidding for it. So I wonder if it's overpriced. It was up for just shy of USD$3500. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkie Posted October 15, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 15, 2009 Wow you picked up the ASPHERICAL!? I missed out on a bid for one a few days ago. I was lucky enough to get it locally in the UK from a retired chap who got it when they were first sold. So I think I'm the second owner. Boxed with hood Bummer, I couldn't edit the previous post...back to the Chrome Lux 35mm ASPH, I let it go 'cos it didn't seem anyone else was bidding for it. So I wonder if it's overpriced. It was up for just shy of USD$3500. How much does a black one go for these days? is the chrome one on auction in mint condition? Most people prefer the black b/c its lighter. Some people like the chrome lenses to match their chrome M's. Guess its personal preference. But apart from the added weight the chrome lenses are built really well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnakChan Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted October 15, 2009 I was lucky enough to get it locally in the UK from a retired chap who got it when they were first sold. So I think I'm the second owner. Boxed with hood How much does a black one go for these days? is the chrome one on auction in mint condition? Most people prefer the black b/c its lighter. Some people like the chrome lenses to match their chrome M's. Guess its personal preference. But apart from the added weight the chrome lenses are built really well. Very lucky on the ASPHERICAL. I can only dream of having such luck. Black ones for 2nd hand have been going for USD$2300 -> $2777. One or two have gone for over $3200 but around the $3000, they seem readily available. As such I think the $2000+ range is the ideal bargain price. Maybe that's why no one went for the chrome at $3500...I'm speculating potential buyers feel chromes aren't worth $1000 more than a bargain black. If that's the case then maybe I did the "right thing" (by me) by not bidding for the chrome at that price. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkie Posted October 15, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 15, 2009 It depends on the condition of the lens. If it is MINT/Like New then its probably worth 3100-3200. Also depends how desperate seller is. Maybe make an offer. Keep looking in sales section here. If a chrome comes up prices are probably better. All the best in your searches Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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