Help needed on price for Leica M and lenses

<p>Hi all,<br>

I'm looking to properly price the following equipment. Thank you very much in advance for any advice for a price range to sell all of the following:<br>

1. Camera: Leica M3 (black) - 1095 333 (Under the Leica name it says: DBP ERNST LEITZ GMBH WETZLAR GERMANY)<br />1a. Leica Meter - MR (Metrawatt A.G. Nurnberg)<br />1b. Original brown case and strap for camera<br />1c. Original metal lenscap (with soft side edge on inside)<br /> <br />2. Lens: 1:2/50 Leitz Wetzlar 1985163 Summicron<br />2a. Leica lenscap<br />2b. Leica lens "guard"(?...clips onto lens, made of metal)<br /> <br />3. Lens: 1:2.8/135 Leitz Canada 2011493 Elmarit<br />3a. Leica lenscaps (original..metal for front, original plastic for back)<br /> <br />4. Lens: 1:2/35 Leitz Canada 2066715 Summicron<br />4a. Leical Lenscaps (original..metal for front, original plastic for back)<br /> <br />5. some kind of attachment for viewfinder....and its original case. Says: Leitz Wetzlar and Made in Germany<br /> <br />6. some kind of 'extender'? for lens. No glass in it. It has 3 parts, screwed together it's about 2 inches high, and a case for it.<br>

I look forward to your responses, again - thanks!!!<br />Larry <a href="mailto:LLabow@comcast.net">LLabow@comcast.net</a></p>

<p>Check eBay for recent completed auctions. I don't mean to sound flip, but the price for these items is whatever the market will bear and that varies from week to month and year to year, driven often unrealistically by the fickle whim of Leica collectors.</p>

<p>Also check KEH.com</p>

<p>Larry, your M3 is from 1964, the Summicron 50 mm (so called rigid version) and the Elmarit 135 mm are from 1963 (1st version), the Summicron 35 mm is from 1964 (1st version). The other thing (extender) probably bears a catalogue number somewhere or some letters. Can you find those? May help to identify it. I agree with the others: check Ebay for a while, check KEH.com.</p>

<p>Condition is important. You made no mention of that. If you are a photographer you will know how to assess mechanical-optical condition (clear VF, does it focus well at infinity or a measured distance, say 6 feet? shutter sounds, smoothness or not of focus operation of lenses) and physical appearance (presence or not of camera body dings, scratches, fogging in lens elements, scratches or other signs of use, general cosmetic condition). Then you will have a better idea of the value of these items.</p>

<p>CHeck with an expert. If your M3 is an original black paint finish, it will be worth more than the prices listed. However, the serial number list of black M3s at cameraquest, listed below, shows yours as falling outside. It is possible it could be a period repaint, in which case it would still fetch more than the plain vanilla version.</p>

<p>http://www.cameraquest.com/lm3blk.htm</p>

<p>It very much depends on the condition of the items. If the M3 is a repaint (which the serial nr. suggests), I would say around US 3000 or so, if everything works and glass is clean. The most valuable item currently is the 35/2, and value depends on which exact sample we are talking about. I assume 2. is a Dual Range Summicron, and 5 is the close up attachment for 2.</p>

<p>All:<br>

Thank you for your help!! All the equipment I listed is in fantastic condition. I'd love to run it by an expert or two...I live in Chicago....does anyone know of some experts who could take a look in the Chicago area? Or for that matter, if anyone knows of buyers in this area. Thanks again!<br />Larry <a href="mailto:LLabow@comcast.net">LLabow@comcast.net</a></p>