Q about lens prices

[philipus]

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Hi everyone

 

As someone who has recently discovered Leica, I have looked around for price indications for bodies and lenses and so came across Antique and Classic Camera Home Page. Since I'm interested in a Summilux pre-Asph, I have also checked Ebay.

 

It seems to me that on the US Ebay site the prices for a Summilux are quite a bit higher than what Antique Cameras suggest. Are their price indications a bit outdated or are prices increasing?

 

cheers

Philip

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Hallo,

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[wda]

Philip, welcome to the forum!

For some time demand for new and good used Leica lenses has outstripped demand. Hence the inflated and variable prices. People will pay what they think it is worth to them. No such thing as a 'gold standard' nowadays.

[UliWer]

You cannot generalize. Lenses which can be used as alternatives for the current models in the Leica catalogue have seen a very steep price increase since the introduction of the M9. For other lenses which are less common for everyday usage, it's different - though there is some "bandwaggoning" where lot's of people try to get unrealistic high prices. One should look at different sources and compare before buying too quick. Some patience will pay for the customer.-

[hoppyman]

Philip if checking eBay prices you might get a better idea by only searching completed sales rather than listings. I always take into account increased risk for on-line buying if comparing against prices at a dealer.

Of course you should make your own judgement there.

[adan]

1) yes a bit outdated (6 months) - but that is BECAUSE prices are increasing. Both are true.

 

2) As Hoppy says - always filter ebay for completed listings (actual sales). Anyone can ask $10,000 for a 35 f/2 - but unless they actually find a buyer, that isn't the "market" price.

[luigi bertolotti]

Prices are on a rather high side due to M8 and M9 success... my suggestion is that is better to track the prices of 5 - 6 well known international specialized dealers - Europe & USA - you can be confident that the conditions they declare are true, and they have any interest in keeping their prices at a level such that they "move" their warehouses.

[philipus]

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Thank you very much for your insights. I can definitely understand that the success of the M8 and M9 has increased demand for lenses.

 

As tempting as it seems to try to make a killing on an auction site or from a private seller, I am inclined to buy my camera and first lens from a dealer. I have found one here in Holland that seems reputable (Schouten Select Cameras & Accessories), which is also not far from where I live, so I'm going to check out their selection. Price-wise they also appear quite reasonable, given that the equipment is CLAd and one gets a warranty.

 

Kind regards

Philip

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Hallo,

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Hallo,

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[luigi bertolotti]

Thank you very much for your insights. I can definitely understand that the success of the M8 and M9 has increased demand for lenses.

 

As tempting as it seems to try to make a killing on an auction site or from a private seller, I am inclined to buy my camera and first lens from a dealer. I have found one here in Holland that seems reputable (Schouten Select Cameras & Accessories), which is also not far from where I live, so I'm going to check out their selection. Price-wise they also appear quite reasonable, given that the equipment is CLAd and one gets a warranty.

 

Kind regards

Philip

 

Yes, Schouten is one of the 5-6 names I have always in my mind as reference dealers... there is another in Holland who is Collectcamera, then Newoldcamera in Italy, Leicashop in Wien, Sherry Krauter in Usa, Meister in Germany... a quick surf at their sites can give a good idea of current "right" prices...

[Lord Fluff]

Prices are going mad on *some* lenses, and anything with "Summilux" in the title is a prime candidate. Everyone seems to want a 'lux or a Noctilux - the slower lenses are tending to rise as well, but not in the same way.

[bocaburger]

Definitely it's a sellers' market in Leica lenses at this point. Part of it is the breathtaking price increases on new lenses (including some whose designs date back nearly 20 years, and which is disproportionate to either currency valuation or inflationary indexes). And part of it is the underproduction of new lenses concurrent with heightened demand since the introduction of the M9.

 

In comparison, the bang-for-the-buck factor of the Zeiss and (even more so) CV lenses has IMO shot way up as a result. For those not blessed with an orchard of money trees in their back yards, and/or cursed with a closed-minded prejudice against buying non-Leica lenses, those 3rd-party offerings are a great alternative. And, for the most part they're available and in-stock. No matter how "superior :rolleyes:" a Leica lens might be, if there aren't any to be had, it's rather moot now isn't it?

[Washington]

Leica lenses have always gotten a reputation based on god-knows-what…. some

‘’expert opinion’’ that spread and became ‘’truth’’… I guess.

Ok, here is an example of a 50.. F-1.5 lens that got a bad reputation back in the 50’s

The 50mm. f1.5 Summarit can be found almost mint on eBay for about $500.

Here is a tiny crop of a huge panorama displayed now in the picture forum.

Beats me what’s ‘’wrong’’ with this lens.

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[Washington]

Photo here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/landscape-travel/191320-lens-day.html

[luigi bertolotti]

Me too appreciate a lot my old Summarit 1,5... if it's in fine conditions, it's still a very tasty lens.... pity thaht with M8 the UVIR filter is a bit annoying issue...

[Ecar]

Love my Summarit 1.5 too. Although I use it mostly for portraits.

Key issue with this lens is flare - hood is a must.

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[Delfi_r]

Me too appreciate a lot my old Summarit 1,5... if it's in fine conditions, it's still a very tasty lens.... pity thaht with M8 the UVIR filter is a bit annoying issue...

 

I agree but in most situations it can be used without it, but I would put one filter for protection, if it was available

 

Love my Summarit 1.5 too. Although I use it mostly for portraits.

Key issue with this lens is flare - hood is a must.

 

This is for me the real problem for this lens, in the night flare on the bright lights it's part of his behaviour, but in the middle of the day a Hood would be very interesting. Sadly it's a collector's piece and I don't know if there is some replacement.

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[pico]

The only good thing about our Summarit is that it is so unsharp that wrinkles smooth away, and scenics at infinity look like a closeup from a miniature railroad setup. OTOH, it is really fogged up and the front element looks like someone scrubbed it with wool. It is my wife's, inherited from her Father and has 'sentimental' value which translates into "tadhall nil".

Edited July 17, 2011 by pico

[Washington]

Luigi…. and other 50mm Summarit owners:

Interesting selection of 41mm adapters at B&H…. also an IR filter.

But, I do not know if this is the right one for the M-8 having had no

experience with them. See:

41mm

Edited July 17, 2011 by Washington
typo

[Delfi_r]

I'll search for a lens cap, and filter on B+H catalog , thanks

 

I've found that in the B+H filter catalog there is partnumber 941486 for a 41 mm UV IR Sperrfilter(486), perhaps this one is the filter to use on a Summarit 50 mm f:1.5.

Edited July 17, 2011 by Delfi_r

[Washington]

Delfi,

Yes, if you use a step-up ring from 41 mm to some size more common you will have no trouble finding whatever you need, Oddly I found an excellent 41mm metal lens hood on

eBay awhile back which takes a generic (or Canon) clip in cover. Really nice!

[Washington]

pico,

What did he do to the poor thing? Clean the glass with steel-wool?

Edited July 18, 2011 by Washington
typo