Help with valuation: M4-P , 28/2.8 and Rokkor 40mm

[soonchunglim]

Hi,

 

I need a little help here. I've been offered a M4P body and two

lenses but I'm not sure if the price is right.

 

For $2050, the offer includes the M4P body with 28/2.8 Elmarit and a

40mm CLE Rokkor.

 

The current owner bought the set new about 12 years ago but used it

only a few times before going back to SLRs. Its been in storage ever

since.

I know I should inspect the body and lenses before deciding but at

$2050, is it a good deal if all items are good to go?

 

Thanks very much for your time.

[mark-j]

Be sure to factor a CLA into the price of the body. If it has set for 12 years, the lubricants will probably be a tad stiff. I sound like this would be a fair price. An M4P would be around $900.00 and the 2nd version 28 Elmarit around $700, with the 40 Rokkor around $200.00. A CLA will run around $200.00. If the equipment is in mint- condition, then the price would go up. My figures are rough estimates and others may get closer.

 

Cheers.

[kaiblanke]

An M4P should be available in a very good condition for around USD 1000, but then you can also get a metered and newer M6 body for not much more. The Rokkors are available for about USD 400, the Elmarit should start from USD 600, all depending on condition.

<p>

I personally would rather go for a newer M6, and since I do not like the 28, I would skip this offer. The M6 plus an allround lens like the 40 should cost you about USD 1400 together, which leaves you with some money for a CLA on the body (which the M4P would also need) and some leftover money for another lens like the voigtlaender 21 wideangle or the 75/2.5 short tele which complement the 40 much better in my eyes.

[al_kaplan1]

If the lenses include hoods and caps it would really be worth it. Those things add up fast. Also, which model 28 Elmarit? Some are worth quite a bit. Last year I swapped, even up, a black first edition made in Wetzlar including hood for a cherry late model M2 body with a cherry 21/3.4 Super Angulon including hood. Of course we both got the best end of the deal ;-)

[andrew_lee2]

I would say it's too expensive. My personal take is 600-700 for the M4P, 700-800 for the Elmarit, and 200-300 for the Rokkor. That leaves me with a range of 1500-1800.

[gerry_szarek]

I find it hard to believe the owner bought the M4-P new 12 years ago, since I bought mine new in 1981. However if the M4-P is in mint condition, it is probably worth it, the key is "mint". This includes all the boxes, caps, and paperwork.

 

Gerry

[Rob F.]

I think the price is too high. I figure about $1800 for ex+ condition, maybe $2000 for mint- or so. A CLA should be factored in. If the 28mm is a version II, it's not as good optically as a III or a IV. If it's a I, you can't meter with it; not a problem with an M4P, which lacks a meter. I might add that my M4P, although I like it very much, sees less use than my M6's. The benefits of in-camera metering should not be underestimated!

[Bill Blackwell Images]

I would skip this one assuming the 28mm Elmarit is anything but the current formula... In any case, I would encourage you to get an M6 for the meter (about $100 more than an M4-P in similar condition).

[stephen_w.]

Elmarit version does matter. I sold an average (perfect glass) ver. I for $1250. Who knows how much a mint one would go for.

 

I still have one bought on this forum in better condition. I like the results better than the ver. III I had. Ditto, the ver. I 35 'cron and 21 SA over the newer are better models, really. Maybe I got cherry samples of the "old" designs and lemons of the newer designs. I may sell the 28, as it's pretty close to the 35, so I don't use it much. But, don't look for it here.

[eliot_rosen1]

Bought new about 12 years ago: The last version (v4) of the 28/2.8 Elmarit was introduced in 1993, so it could be either v3 or v4. Both are excellent optically, although v4 is worth a little more. The values in E++/mint- are probably in the range of $ 800-1100 or so, It's hard to say exactly the value of the kit because cosmetic/functional condition are important. The M4P could be about $ 800-1100 (latter for near mint in box, which is hard to find with an M4-P).

[soonchunglim]

Oi! Thanks very much for the various opinions. I'll post again after I see the loot. Who knows, maybe the lenses are all foggy from storage.

 

How do I tell the various versions of the 28 Elmarit apart?

[stephen_w.]

www.cameraqueat.com for your do-it-yourselfers or just post the first four serial numbers right here.

[eliot_rosen1]

Al. Yes a first version black (all were black) 28/2.8 Elmarit engraved Wetzlar (there were about 200 or so made, all with SN 206xxxx, dating to 1964) is worth about $ 3000 in mint condition (maybe more if you find a well-motivated buyer). The v1 28/2.8 Elmarit Canadian lenses are rare enough (all made in small numbers), the one from Wetzlar is a Holy Grail of collectibles.