Noctilux f1 sold on eBay for £2400!

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OK it's looking more like a fraud - he's selling this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEICA-Summicron-M-f-1-2-35-mm-pre-Asph-King-of-Bokeh-lens-no-reserve-/111768454671?hash=item1a05eb460f which was also sold by the German dealer here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEICA-Summicron-M-2-35-pre-Asph-King-of-Bokeh-3182896-35mm-70-Jahre-1913-1983-/291501943250?nma=true&si=19MnqSi9or1q%252F86Ykcx1%252Bko9zbI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

I've reported it to ebay, and the German ebayer.

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[Paul J]

Camera sales have been in the doldrums for a while now and Leica are no exception (and after the heady days of 2011-12 possibly have the furthest to fall). It may vary a little by region and there have been temporary upsurges in interest and sales with new products like the Q but if you speak to anyone honest in the business they will tell you that Leica sales have been slow (at best). In my opinion there are a number of factors at play. Some are structural, like the market shift from system cameras; economic conditions in key markets; and that, in reaching a certain level of quality and functionality, it becomes harder to shift new "better" products. Other factors IMO include a general cooling of interest in the Leica brand. Fashion is cyclical and Leica no longer seems like the hottest name in town. You only have to look at the slow discussion in this forum regarding a lot of the new products to see this cooling of interest in Leica. The Q seems to be the only product that still has legs (cf. M246 and T discussions).

That's a very lucid observation that probably couldn't have been put better.

 

The only thing I would maybe add is that the world is drastically changing. Old ideals and structures that our generations, and the ones before us, have been bought up with are being crushed by the progress, practicality, and ease of use of newer and cheaper technology, and the reality that such beliefs and marketed ideals that were instilled in us are being proved somewhat irrelevant, and at times redundant, by the new generation. You really can do the job much cheaper, with less, because that is not what it's about. It doesn't even mean cheaper is less capable or any less effective any more. Some things that used to be important are no longer important or even relevant. Those that can run with that are the ones who are picking up the baton that the current system dropped, just plain forgot they'd put it down long ago, or were hoping you wouldn't realise.

[ShivaYash]

That's a very lucid observation and it probably couldn't have been put better.

 

The only thing I would add is that the world is drastically changing. Old ideals and structures that our generations, and the ones before us, have been bought up with are being crushed by the progress and practicality of cheaper technology, and the reality that such beliefs and marketed ideals that were instilled in us are being proved somewhat irrelevant and at times redundant by the new generation. You really can do the job much cheaper, with less, and those that can are the ones who are picking up the baton that the current system dropped, just plain forgot they'd put it down long ago, or didn't even know they had it.

 

The London Leica market seems to be thriving, of sorts. In the past 6 weeks I've dropped a good sum of money ££££ into lenses and a new body. I could not be happier and know the glass will be passed onto my children. There are some great deals to be had and Leica kit is now for sale on sites like Gumtree as well as eBay and other online, unauthorised resellers. I was talking to a well known London dealer two weeks ago before buying my 35FAG. He said prices had dropped by about 15% or so since last year when Leica had production issues. His prices reflect that. But stock is always moving he told me and I visit his shop often, and see new things come in and go out again, sometimes into my collection. But for many on here, where does it all end? For the moment I am extremely happy and satisfied, I have four excellent lens and don't need anymore. Perhaps I'll want another in the next 24-36 months, who knows. But if I find a great deal, I will jump on it. Its great to seek the expertise of those on here when it comes to buying second hand.

[ShivaYash]

That's a very lucid observation that probably couldn't have been put better.

 

The only thing I would maybe add is that the world is drastically changing. Old ideals and structures that our generations, and the ones before us, have been bought up with are being crushed by the progress, practicality, and ease of use of newer and cheaper technology, and the reality that such beliefs and marketed ideals that were instilled in us are being proved somewhat irrelevant, and at times redundant, by the new generation. You really can do the job much cheaper, with less, because that is not what it's about. It doesn't even mean cheaper is less capable or any less effective any more. Some things that used to be important are no longer important or even relevant. Those that can run with that are the ones who are picking up the baton that the current system dropped, just plain forgot they'd put it down long ago, or were hoping you wouldn't realise.

 

I agree that things are changing. Just two weeks ago I updated the family camera with an old Fuji X100. The images it produces are just spectacular and whilst this type of camera can't be compared to a Leica M, it does give the other Leica offers a run. 

[Paul J]

I agree that things are changing. Just two weeks ago I updated the family camera with an old Fuji X100. The images it produces are just spectacular and whilst this type of camera can't be compared to a Leica M, it does give the other Leica offers a run.

No doubt! When a new model gets released or talked about I get excited. When it's launched I find out that for what I do it's really not much better, or with a little more care, just as good as my old M9 and even not as good as my even older Phase One kit. Then I put it off. But all these newer "better" cameras come out and they are really not much better in the real world. Even my Medium Format kit, which has incredible IQ, is pretty much irrelevant to anyone who doesn't care (ie. most people, particularly the newer generation).

 

I have a friend that just bought a Sony a7r and Loxia lenses. I picked it up and quietly scoffed at it. Then i played with it a little, I hated the EVF, first and foremost and wanted to put it down straight away. I picked a couple other things I didn't like about it and then after a couple minutes I noticed it felt quite well made and quite quickly I find quite a few things I did like about it. It is much more refined than the first model too. I particularly liked the Zeiss Loxia lens on it. It was amazing and felt incredibly well made and smooth to focus and the aperture wheel was very, very nice too. I would say the build even surpassed Leica in it's feel. He then showed me some images from it and I have to say I was really very impressed.

 

Now I fit into the Leica niche but I wonder, for the very large majority who don't, why would anyone even consider switching to Leica now? except for some quite old ideals that I feel are been significantly challenged at the moment. When I jumped in, it was offering the best...I even wonder now, even though I do fit the niche, if I had my time again and I was deciding between the Leica and the Sony, would I? I'm not so sure about that...

 

as for London, well my long time dealer has just closed down. (very happy to be a new customer of Red Dot) and as for kids, they have no choice but to inherit my lenses but the rate the world is going a) they may not have a need for them b)may not want them I'm still not convinced that stills is even still relevant and I'm convinced the whole world will be shooting Red Cameras, or something like, soon.

[gvaliquette]

I could not be happier and know the glass will be passed onto my children.

 

I have four excellent lens and don't need anymore.

 

Perhaps I'll want another in the next 24-36 months, who knows.

 

They will donate it to a museum for the tax benefit.

 

Beware of the notorious GAS

 

Ditto!

 

Guy

[Herr Barnack]

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Looking through the "Leica Deals" at the bottom of the forum, I notice that there are very few to zero bids on all items. It appears to me that Leica gear is not moving. In a stagnating market, expect good opportunities.

At the risk of being called a master of the obvious, this is a good time to buy and an even better time to hang on to the cameras and lenses you already own.  I am trying to add a 28mm to my kit - but without selling/trading any of my current lenses.  There's no sense in practically giving them away.

[Ivar B]

Seller just got a negative feedback on eBay due to scam, but I don't know if it is this sale or not. 

I missed out on this... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEICA-Noctilux-M-f-1-1-50-mm-lens-no-reserve-/111768439542?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEDWX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=W3HvaMzdTXVyMbc0OSGDR7l6wGw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

 

Can't help but feel gutted.

[BBHewee]

Since all his pictures were lifted from Tom's in Germany, with matching serials, I'm not so surprised. I reported his auctions to eBay at the time, but whether they followed up is a different matter.  

[stevieg]

....as for London, well my long time dealer has just closed down. (very happy to be a new customer of Red Dot) and as for kids, they have no choice but to inherit my lenses but the rate the world is going a) they may not have a need for them b)may not want them I'm still not convinced that stills is even still relevant and I'm convinced the whole world will be shooting Red Cameras, or something like, soon.

 

I'm sure that stills WILL be relevant, however the newer/younger generation will be used to AF etc along with the convenience of social media uploading capability of their smartphones...

In fact it is the smartphone which will need to be addressed. The current furore regarding the new iphone 6S capability re: 4k video vs, DSLR is a case in point.

There will always be a market for rangefinder cameras due to the unique experience that the "messucher" offers. Whether it remains a commercially viable market for Leica to continue remains to be seen. Voigtlander has just scaled back its film rangefinder offerings though. (more related to film though, I suspect)

Red cameras in general...? No, yet again it will be the smartphone which is the competion/tool to beat.

[Sam]

Since all his pictures were lifted from Tom's in Germany, with matching serials, I'm not so surprised. I reported his auctions to eBay at the time, but whether they followed up is a different matter.  

 

If an eBay account with positive feedback gets hacked, then deals like this seem legitimate. After all, it's positive feedback that makes or breaks a seller. I've seen this happen several times in the past with Canon 600mm f4 lenses at unbelievable prices. Everything appeared good including the eBay account with plenty of positive feedback. Of course if the price is too good to be true then it usually is. The buyers that are less savvy are the ones getting scammed.