6-bit Coding/Resale Value

[pack_tor]

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Hi All,

 

I'm getting a good offer on a 90mm Cron ASPH for M9, but the lens itself is not 6-bit coded. I know this shouldn't make a difference for M9, but how much would it affect the resale value of the lens should i decide to sell it in the future?

 

Should I buy it because the lens is tempting (hardly used, impeccable condition for quite reasonable price)?

 

Thanks.

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[marknorton]

Coding a longer lens serves little purpose other than putting the focal length in the EXIF data. Even without it, you'll be able to identify the APO Summicron was used from its brilliant colour rendition. It's an outstanding lens and if you have the opportunity to get one at a good price, I would jump at it. I paid £1000 for mine.

 

You can always have it coded later if you want to, perhaps if you send it in for a CLA or focus adjustment (the need for both of which should also influence your buying price).

[jaapv]

You can always use it as a bargaining point, but as Mark says, it is not very important.

[pack_tor]

Thanks for the reply. I am being offered $2500 for a virtually unused copy. Is it a good price to pay?

[John Black]

Used, mint 90 ASPH's, non-coded typically sell in the $1800 range in the US. To gauge current market prices, searching Ebay on completed items and he M forums with classified sections can be helpful. I do my fair share of buying & selling. Based on my experience, a black & silver box placed in the ad picture adds value (compared to the white box) - maybe around $100. 6-bit coding tends to add around $100-$200 in value assuming it's original from the factory coding. When I buy a used lens I prefer to find one in mint condition, black & silver box and coded. It's just easier to resell later when I decide some other shiny lens would be more interesting

 

6-bit coding effects the auto-ISO shutter speed (if set to automatic) and it influences the minimum shutter speed when using a Leica flash (SF-20 / 24 / 58). Leica is also performing some vignetting correction in-camera, so that MAY apply to the 90 APO. I have the 75 & 90 APO, but have not specifically tested to see if the new M9 firmware is making any type of vignetting correction for these particular lenses.

 

As an alternative to the APO, you may want to consider the 90mm Elmarit M (last version). It's a very popular 90mm lens and will cost ~$900 used for a mint one in the US. "Nailing" focus with the APO is an art-form, so I usually stop down 1 or 2 stops to improve the odds - which sort of defeats the purpose of buying an F2 lens in the first place. Just my $.02.

[jaapv]

Thanks for the reply. I am being offered $2500 for a virtually unused copy. Is it a good price to pay?

It seems to be rather on the high side to me.

[marknorton]

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I agree, $2500 seems high, though of course all lens prices have increased. My £1000 lens (say, $1500 - 1600) was uncoded, as new, in 2007.

[pack_tor]

Thanks Guys. I have decided to pass on this offer even though it's tempting. Thanks for the advice.

[adan]

I was a bit shocked by pack_tor's quoted price - until I researched things a bit. The NEW price in the US for a 90 APO is now $3500, so an almost unused one at 70% of new price is not that out of line. A bit high for uncoded, but not much.

 

Uncoded pre-APO 90 crons that were selling for $850 a year ago are now up to $1200-$1400. There's a thread in the customer forum with other examples of jumps in used lens prices.

 

As to the premium or discount for coded vs. uncoded, that's easy - same as the price for having Leica add the coding.

[gwelland]

Aside any slight price difference, coded lenses are a LOT quicker and easier to sell in my experience.

[AGeoJO]

It is a great lens and I love mine on the M9 (less so when I had my M8) but I believe $2.5K is too high at the current market. I would jump on it at around $2K.

[tdtaylor]

If it bothers you, send the mounting ring to John Milich and for $35 he will machine the 6 grooves in a week. You will need to fill the grooves with appropriate color paint (nail polish works fine), and all n=mine coded such are permanent and work fine.

[pack_tor]

Ended up getting it for around 2200. Lovely lens, looks pretty much unused. Thanks to the forum for helping save some $$$

 

Time to test it out!