New Leica R4

[FloLee72]

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I could buy a new R4 in an unopened box. But the serial number is 157.... and I've read that they have electronic issues with the shutter below serial number 160.... So, what should i do? Take the risk, or wait for a newer one?

[chris_yu]

if around US$ 250.00 go for it.

 

[FloLee72]

vor 19 Minuten schrieb chris_yu:

if around US$ 250.00 go for it.

 

Actually its 199 euros 

[gyoung]

Mine (30 yrs ago) was over 1600... and it still gave LOTS of trouble....

Gerry 

[dkCambridgeshire]

On 10/19/2018 at 8:28 AM, FloLee72 said:

Actually its 199 euros 

Some collectors specialise in acquiring sealed unopened boxed Leica camera/lens equipment and would likely willingly pay €199 for a sealed R4 … but would never, ever, open it. Such 'sealed' collectibles are regularly sold by WestLicht Auction and they can command premium prices. 

dunk 

[earleygallery]

On 10/19/2018 at 1:32 AM, FloLee72 said:

I could buy a new R4 in an unopened box. But the serial number is 157.... and I've read that they have electronic issues with the shutter below serial number 160.... So, what should i do? Take the risk, or wait for a newer one?

 

Interesting. I'm pretty sure that Leica boxes/products at that time were never sealed as such so I wonder how the seller knows that it is unopened? Are they sure there's even a Leica R4 in the box!

It won't be new either, it's just an apparently unused secondhand camera, which will almost certainly need some attention such as new foam light seals, and IF it happens to be one of the electronically faulty early R4's you can't send it back to Leica to be fixed.

Personally I'd want to inspect it first and put some batteries in it to check it's working OK. If it truly is a never opened R4 then the seller should refuse to do that and it's really one for the collectors and should be left as it is.