Leica Glass Prices!

[PeterMM1]

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I haven't been buying much equipment in a while because I basically have what I need/want. I happened to go on eBay today just to poke around to see what's available.
I have to admit I'm pretty shocked to see what Leica glass is going for lately. The last Leica glass that I bought was probably 3-4 years ago....looks like things have almost double in some cases...
Just glad that I don't need anything except maybe a vintage 50 Noctilux....😁

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[mmradman]

Good to know, after all it may turn to out be investment which at least breaks even after providing years of pleasure of using exceptional lenses.

[Kreeshp]

IMHO, eBay is a poor barometer of current values.  Vendors have had to jack up listing prices to offset higher listing fees.  I've given up listing items there myself due to the fees.

Better value can be found at sites like KEH and Fred Miranda.

Edited September 21, 2021 by Kreeshp

[LocalHero1953]

It's always worth checking the ebay 'sold' price rather than the listed price.

[Gobert]

You better buy Leica glass than diamonds, because diamonds are connected to blood diamonds and Leica glass is faster increasing its value than blood diamonds.

[Gobert]

3 hours ago, Artin said:

I sold all my 14 M lenses about 2 years ago,, it has been one of my biggest regrets in my life .. by my calculation I need to spend close to a 100,000 dollars to replace what I had 

WATE, MATE,  21mm 2.8 , 24mm 2:8. 28 Cron asph, 35 Cron asph, 35 mm Lux pre asph,  50mm Cron DR, 50mm Cron collapse  ,50mm lux asph, 50mm Noct F1 , 75mm Lux V1 , 90mm Cron asph , 90mm macro Elmar, 

 

It wasn’t  a good deal?

[adan]

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11 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

Glass is nothing, you should check the M film bodies.... #tothemoon

Precisely. $3000-ish for a standard M6. But M4-2/Ps are not too bad (Still sub-$2000 - for the moment)

On the whole, people have suddenly realized that, for a lot of Leica gear - "they ain't made anymore; the supply will only decrease."

Plus, for gear still made, Leica's new prices have gone up as well.

And in the USA (at least) there is, in some places, a lot of disposable income floating around, after 18 months of no concerts, no sporting events, little dining out, etc.*

There are bright spots - 35mm Summilux-ASPH-Ms v.1 (not the Aspherical, not the FLE) seem to be selling for about what I paid 8 or 12 years ago ($3200-ish); 90 Tele-Elmarit-Ms (thin) are still often $495-ish. 90 Summicron-Ms (Mandler 1980 version) are not that far from what I paid 15-20 years ago ($900-1100).

........................

*The gallery where I sell my prints was taking in about $9000 a month pre-Covid. Last three months we sold $16000/$21000/$27000 worth of art (gross) - pent-up demand.

[Capuccino-Muffin]

On 9/21/2021 at 10:08 PM, Artin said:

I sold all my 14 M lenses about 2 years ago,, it has been one of my biggest regrets in my life .. by my calculation I need to spend close to a 100,000 dollars to replace what I had 

WATE, MATE,  21mm 2.8 , 24mm 2:8. 28 Cron asph, 35 Cron asph, 35 mm Lux pre asph,  50mm Cron DR, 50mm Cron collapse  ,50mm lux asph, 50mm Noct F1 , 75mm Lux V1 , 90mm Cron asph , 90mm macro Elmar, 

 

Wow your money certainly is worth more than mine. I calculate your enumerated lenses to about 30-35,000$

[adan]

Yeah, well.......new or used....6-bit or not....condition otherwise.....which version (e.g. Noct f/1.0 v.1 or 2).....which national market (and how many shops).....which "dollars"? 

I could collect Artin's shopping list for $US 41,950 (used where possible) from various well-known US Leica dealers on-line ....but that is 53,101 "Loonies."

[Viv]

One word: Zeiss ZM.

Well, two words.

[bcapphoto]

On 9/22/2021 at 3:01 AM, adan said:

Precisely. $3000-ish for a standard M6. But M4-2/Ps are not too bad (Still sub-$2000 - for the moment)

On the whole, people have suddenly realized that, for a lot of Leica gear - "they ain't made anymore; the supply will only decrease."

Plus, for gear still made, Leica's new prices have gone up as well.

And in the USA (at least) there is, in some places, a lot of disposable income floating around, after 18 months of no concerts, no sporting events, little dining out, etc.*

There are bright spots - 35mm Summilux-ASPH-Ms v.1 (not the Aspherical, not the FLE) seem to be selling for about what I paid 8 or 12 years ago ($3200-ish); 90 Tele-Elmarit-Ms (thin) are still often $495-ish. 90 Summicron-Ms (Mandler 1980 version) are not that far from what I paid 15-20 years ago ($900-1100).

........................

*The gallery where I sell my prints was taking in about $9000 a month pre-Covid. Last three months we sold $16000/$21000/$27000 worth of art (gross) - pent-up demand.

I feel like the 90 Tele-Elmarit are wayyyyyy undervalued. That’s a wicked lens!

[Capuccino-Muffin]

5 hours ago, Artin said:

 When I said 100k that was just a derogatory statement you are correct it’s more like the 50,000 loonies 

Careful ebay shopping brings this down to 35 easy... anyhow, still a lot...

[fotografr]

8 hours ago, Viv said:

One word: Zeiss ZM.

Well, two words.

Another "one word," Voigtlander.

I started shooting Leica M in 1982 and for nearly 40 years never put anything but Leica glass on them. A few months ago I bought a Voigtlander 50/2 and liked it so much I followed with a 35/1.2 and 75/1.5  My total cost for all three was about $3200. They are well built and optically superb. I may never buy Leica glass again. The M cameras, on the other hand, have no equal in my eyes 

Current Leica lens pricing seems to indicate they have developed an articulating knee implant which enables them to kick themselves in the arse.

Edited September 23, 2021 by fotografr

[Guest]

Some leica lenses are unfashionable and relatively cheaper.

21mm f2.8  elmarit pre-asph

28mm f2.8 elmarit 2 and 3

90mm tele-elmarit thin

Summarit line of lenses 

etc etc

So you can still mix leica/zeiss/voigtlander without being very wealthy.

[Gobert]

This is not only the case with Leica photogear, but also with f/e Omega and Roles watches, European made classic cars and motorcycles.

[Jon Warwick]

14 hours ago, fotografr said:

Another "one word," Voigtlander.

I started shooting Leica M in 1982 and for nearly 40 years never put anything but Leica glass on them. A few months ago I bought a Voigtlander 50/2 and liked it so much I followed with a 35/1.2 and 75/1.5  My total cost for all three was about $3200. They are well built and optically superb. I may never buy Leica glass again. The M cameras, on the other hand, have no equal in my eyes 

 

I have yet to see the image quality results from the lens, but I’m really really impressed by the build quality of the Voigtlander 50mm Lanthar APO that I just purchased. The focusing ring is perhaps the smoothest and most wonderfully weighted of any lens I’ve owned, and that’s including the M 50 APO. And all for c £900 brand new …..

[fotografr]

14 hours ago, steve 1959 said:

Some leica lenses are unfashionable and relatively cheaper.

21mm f2.8  elmarit pre-asph

28mm f2.8 elmarit 2 and 3

90mm tele-elmarit thin

Summarit line of lenses 

etc etc

So you can still mix leica/zeiss/voigtlander without being very wealthy.

Also the 90mm Elmarit, an excellent lens. A near mint copy can usually be found for under $1000. I had one for many years and only sold it because I used it so infrequently.

[fotografr]

4 hours ago, Jon Warwick said:

I have yet to see the image quality results from the lens, but I’m really really impressed by the build quality of the Voigtlander 50mm Lanthar APO that I just purchased. The focusing ring is perhaps the smoothest and most wonderfully weighted of any lens I’ve owned, and that’s including the M 50 APO. And all for c £900 brand new …..

The reviews have praised that lens. The only reason I haven't purchased one is that I am so smitten with my 50/2.0  Nickel Heliar. It also has a super smooth focus throw and very solid build quality.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[colint544]

Yes, the 90mm Tele-Elmarit. The 'fat' version 1 has hovered around the £500 mark, for at least the past decade. It's stubbornly impervious to the rocketing prices of other vintage Leica gear.

I don't know why. I have a copy I bought on eBay in 2011. It's brilliant. No bigger than the 50mm Summilux ASPH. It's superbly built. Smooth focus and aperture rings. Razor sharp (well, OK - a touch of 'glow' around the edges at F2.8, but still). It's a 90mm lens you can slip in your pocket. When the fog comes down in winter at night, it's the lens I reach for. 

It's the bargain of Leica glass.

[MarkP]

On 9/22/2021 at 12:08 PM, Artin said:

I sold all my 14 M lenses about 2 years ago,, it has been one of my biggest regrets in my life .. by my calculation I need to spend close to a 100,000 dollars to replace what I had 

WATE, MATE,  21mm 2.8 , 24mm 2:8. 28 Cron asph, 35 Cron asph, 35 mm Lux pre asph,  50mm Cron DR, 50mm Cron collapse  ,50mm lux asph, 50mm Noct F1 , 75mm Lux V1 , 90mm Cron asph , 90mm macro Elmar, 

 

What a tragedy 😪 - some gorgeous lenses there.
Was this an financial necessity or what will prove to be a very expensive brain-fart?