Gregm61 Posted March 25, 2016 Share #1 Posted March 25, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) The past several weeks I have been scanning prices for a second-hand 75mm f2 APO Summicron ASPH, figuring I'd not wind up pulling the trigger until after a trip I have scheduled in April, with the ultimate goal of rounding out a three lens combination of the 21mm f2.8 Elmarit ASPH, 35mm f2 Summicron ASPH and this 75, the one missing piece for my M262 digital and film M outfits. Generally, prices I have seen range for around $2,300 (few at that price level) on the low end, to over $3,000, with $2,500 to $2,900 being the main "zone" of second-hand prices. Then, this past weekend, sticking out like a sore thumb was this 75mm f2 Summicron on eBay for $1,995. Hmmm, I thought to myself. The four images look super clean. Front and back lens cap? Check. What could be different about this lens compared to other 75mm f2 Summicrons this well-known US Leica dealer was also selling, as well as all the others being sold? Answer.....no box, leather case or manuals. That's it. Forward on to two days ago when I took delivery. Spotless. No scars, dings, dents or even bright marks. The seller listed condition as Excellent, but the thing looks unused to me. The focus ring is a perfect balance of light-feeling and short, but not too short of a throw from infinity to close focus. The aperture ring has this ubber-smooth, wonderfully silky "feel" to it that's just not there on the 35mm Summicron ASPH, 21 Elmarit ASPH or even the current 50mm f2 Summicron. The build and optical quality is simply on another level, and is easier to focus accurately at middle to closer distances and at wider apertures compared to the 90mm f2 pre-ASPH Summicron I have been using, mostly with the 1.4 diopter. Optically, it's perfect. Focuses accurately, even up close at f2 and I've not yet resorted to the 1.4x diopter. I could not have asked for a nicer version of this lens and never expected to find it at this price. I'm happy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 25, 2016 Posted March 25, 2016 Hi Gregm61, Take a look here Man, Those Boxes Really Are Expensive. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ECohen Posted March 25, 2016 Share #2 Posted March 25, 2016 I never save boxes.........except Leica boxes. They are tucked away in storage. Great pix ......really love the last one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schrödinger's cat Posted March 25, 2016 Share #3 Posted March 25, 2016 I always save boxes. On a couple of occasions I have purchased empty boxes in which to sell one of my items. In my limited experience there appear to be a significant number of buyers out there who identify some sort of correlation between an owner saving the box and careful use, or something like that. Occasionally I have run into someone who is impressed with having an original sales slip (with identifying information cut off). Sounds like nonsense to me, but hey, if it helps sales....... I sell to KEH occasionally, and have also noted that on certain items they will pay some pittance additional if you have a box. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CVickery Posted March 25, 2016 Share #4 Posted March 25, 2016 I like to get boxes for 2 reasons: 1) boxes are designed to protect the lens during shipping so the likelihood of shipping damage is reduced 2) lenses sold without boxes have a higher probability of being stolen and this can come back to bite me. As such I look for additional support as to the legitimacy of the vendor and/or the lens ownership. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bencoyote Posted March 25, 2016 Share #5 Posted March 25, 2016 I always save boxes. On a couple of occasions I have purchased empty boxes in which to sell one of my items. In my limited experience there appear to be a significant number of buyers out there who identify some sort of correlation between an owner saving the box and careful use, or something like that. Occasionally I have run into someone who is impressed with having an original sales slip (with identifying information cut off). Sounds like nonsense to me, but hey, if it helps sales....... I sell to KEH occasionally, and have also noted that on certain items they will pay some pittance additional if you have a box. My understanding is that it isn't a correlation between the box and careful use. It is a suggestion of provenance. If someone is selling a lens without the boxes, then there is a possibility that the lens could have been stolen out of someone's camera bag or something like that. However, if the lens comes with boxes and all the accessories, then it suggests that this is an authorized owner. It isn't fool-proof but it can add to an overall impression that this is an authorized seller and you aren't buying some stolen property. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted March 25, 2016 Share #6 Posted March 25, 2016 A useful anecdote about the boxes comes from none other than Ken Rockwell. He relates in an entry years ago about scruple-free sports/photojournalists he knew who carefully stored the boxes and after several years of very rough use in the field, would sell them off in the pristine boxes and SUCKERS buyers would fall for it all the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted March 25, 2016 Share #7 Posted March 25, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is there a currency conversion website that converts Leica M lens boxes into USD? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted March 26, 2016 Share #8 Posted March 26, 2016 Is there a currency conversion website that converts Leica M lens boxes into USD? ebay . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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