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Need help with buying used Black MP


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Hi everyone,

 

First post here. So much valuable info here and have spent hours and days reading :)

 

Looking to get my first film Leica. I’ve been looking for a good quality M film camera for a while and the M3 and MP are the two that have caught my eye. By chance a local shop has a mint condition Black MP for sale and it’s a beauty.

 

Unfortuntately they only have the hard box with the satin backing, no other boxes and accessories with it. Asking price is around 3500.00 USD. Is this a good price for the camera without all the packaging?

 

While I’m planning to use this camera quite a bit, I also know that things happen and if I need or want to sell it in the future how will the lack of packaging and accessories affect the value of it?

 

Alternatively there is a mint chrome M3 available (Single Stroke) that could also be an option, but my first choice is the MP.

 

Thanks in advance.

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Since the MP is still being made, I suspect depreciation will be greater then the M3.  If you do not need or want a through the lens meter and you are happy with 50mm or longer lenses, then go with the M3.  Depreciation would likely be less especially if it is mint and you keep it looking that way.  If you use 35mm as your prime focal length, the MP makes more sense.

 

There are some beautiful mint Leica's out there for less then $2000 depending on the model and you will not lose money on them since the depreciation has already occurred.  Lack of packaging will not really affect the value of the MP unless it is a limited edition collector's model.  And if you use the camera it will end up with marks.

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For reference, have a look here

 

http://www.fotopia.com.hk/#!product/showAjax/60/Leica%20MP%20-%20Black%20Paint%20/%200.72

 

$3,500 USD would appear to be top dollar in the Sg/HK region. However, truly mint condition and a more recently made camera could justify a higher price as the earliest models are now almost 15 years old.

 

To estimate manufacturing date for early cameras, a list of serial numbers to 2008 is here ...

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/MP

 

If you want an MP, I say just get one. It’s the only current production Leica film camera available in black paint (other than a la carte). I have a 0.58 MP in chrome and I love it. If it was black paint, it would be perfect :)

 

Cheers

 

J :)

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Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

 

From what additional information I gathered it’s a a la cart version with a rapid film rewind crank added to it as well.

 

Yes the price seems a bit steep considering especially looking at the options from the shop on HK linked here.

 

I primarily shoot 50mm and above so the M3 is also an option.

 

Serial number wise I’m not sure on it, but from what the shop said it not a more recent year model.

 

M3 Budget is makes more sense, even if I get a light meter etc., but the MP is a beauty:)

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While I’m planning to use this camera quite a bit, I also know that things happen and if I need or want to sell it in the future how will the lack of packaging and accessories affect the value of it?

 

 

I think it will affect future resale exactly the same as it is now – i.e. some potential buyers (like you) will question paying a top dollar price for it. At the moment, there is a dearth of good used film cameras on the market and MP prices have climbed a bit of late. In this context, the price doesn't seem ludicrous if the camera really is mint. If you are buying to use, the lack of an outer box doesn't seem very important provided you are happy with the provenance of the camera (a box and paperwork can provide a certain amount of reassurance that used goods aren't stolen).

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I never thought about packaging and other stuff when buying a Leica. When purchasing two Black Enamel Paint M4s new at the counter (Altman's Chicago) I threw the boxes, papers and all the junk into the trash at the counter, put the cameras in my case and walked away. None of the sales staff considered it unusual. That it what it was like then. Nobody I knew considered collectibles. We purchased to use.

 

The unspoken not shared with my peers is that when I found what I wanted, I bought two, one which went to storage forever - or at least to year 2018. Today.

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Hey everyone,

 

So went back to the shop the next day to talk more about the MP. Turns out after I left the night before they searched for and found the box with papers. Negotiated on the MP and ended up making a good deal plus I picked up a MS Optical 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar lens.

 

Really appreciate the advice everyone has given. Helped a lot.

 

Now it’s off to shoot and try and figure out this lens. Takes beautiful shots from what I have seen on digital but needs to be calibrated which is a bit more tedious on film.

 

Will post pics soon of the camera!

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As said Mute and Watssy , MP is rare and people who have it keep for them

I think at 3500 USD , it's a good price if mint  .

Is it in Leica Store and have you a guarantee ?

New it costs in Europa 4400 Euros (I bought at this price last year)

Good photos and you are welcome in our analog club and our thread "I like film" here

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/205842-i-like-filmopen-thread/page-2264

Best

Henry

Edited by Doc Henry
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Hey everyone,

 

So went back to the shop the next day to talk more about the MP. Turns out after I left the night before they searched for and found the box with papers. Negotiated on the MP and ended up making a good deal plus I picked up a MS Optical 50mm 1.1 Sonnetar lens.

 

Really appreciate the advice everyone has given. Helped a lot.

 

Now it’s off to shoot and try and figure out this lens. Takes beautiful shots from what I have seen on digital but needs to be calibrated which is a bit more tedious on film.

 

Will post pics soon of the camera!

Congratulations!! I am envious as a BP MP is the only Leica M I still desire.

 

Enjoy it in good health (yours and the camera’s) for many years to come.

 

Cheers

 

J :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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  • 2 weeks later...

My experience is that the MP cameras are not falling out of the sky, new or used so if you find one you better jump on it. I think the last couple of years more people have been shooting film again and that is why Kodak is bringing ektachrome back. I think the trend is going to continue. I hope so anyway.

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  • 3 weeks later...

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