pensacolaphoto Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Last week I opened a box with Leica stuff in it. Among others, there is a mint 35mm Leitz Brightline finder in it [in box]. How can I determine its current collector's value? I don't want to keep it hidden in a box, and I might as well sell it to a collector or rich user :-) Do you know what asking price would be reasonable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vick_ko Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Look on ebay, average $250 up to $400 USD regards, Vick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 When typing BRIGHTLINE in ebay, I saw only a 28mm finder for $375. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorm. Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Type in SBLOO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 Victor: There is no such item on ebay right now [sBLOO}. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 KEH has a 21mm finder in Exc condition and it is engraved for about $500 plus shipping. My 35mm finder is like new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick_jelliffe Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 The 21mm finder is probably the most valuable of the Leitz finders, the 35 less so. KEH's prices are usually a bit higher than what things go for on ebay. I'm sure you'll do well if you offer it at auction. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victorm. Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Raid: There's two SBLOO's in the Completed category. Another good place to look for the highest price might be Kevin Cameras. he usually lists a few of everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted March 14, 2005 Author Share Posted March 14, 2005 Victor: Kevin Cameras has one in Exc++ condition for $300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 IMO, assuming you label it properly and you have any eBay history at all, if you started a seven day auction with an opening bid at just one dollar, I would predict it would close in the neighborhood of $500 or more. A buy-it-now of $350 would close in a couple of hours. There are guys out there who collect just these finders (and mint chrome 35mm finders are getting quite scarce). “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_chang Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Why don't you just tell us how much you want for it? If you want to sell at KEH prices for that particular piece in that condition, you can try $US800 and make a real fortune so good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msitaraman Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 You could ask a specialty dealer for a price. Such as Luigi Crescenzi at Leicatime. Or, if it is pristine, list it on Ebay with a high reserve and see what happens. Ordinary condition examples on the web I've seen have been listed at $300 and above. I was in the market for one some 3 years ago, but dropped out when I realized that they were getting scarce and prices were high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Would you take my fifteen-year-old son in an even trade?<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_brookes5 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 If its a WEISU then it is worth a lot of money. I have seen one sell for ?485 ($936) in the UK. It was mint in the original tissue and undamaged box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r._fulton_jr. Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 What is it you have? The SBLOO is the older chrome 35mm finder that says Leitz. There's also a fairly new one that is a "Leica" black brightline finder (cat #12021). That said, they are both as rare as hen's teeth. Asking price for either one is around US$350. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r._fulton_jr. Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Anthony---what is a WEISU?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_brookes5 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 John the is it- Leitx spezialsucher<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gator1999 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 It's really sorry to see people try to make big profit from selling their photo equipment. However, it is all about fair trading so there is nothing we can do about. I keep an eye on 35mm Leitz finders for a while because my M3 doesn't have a bright line for it. Months ago there are 35mm finder on Ebay sold for $100~$130 and a Zeiss 35mm finder sold for $80~$100 but recently really roaring high ($200+). Personally I think this is seasonal due to the comming spring and summer. I think the prices will drop back around September so if you guys want to get one, it worth the wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 "It's really sorry to see people try to make big profit from selling their photo equipment." Why? So you can buy them at below market value? That makes more sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony_brookes5 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Are you trying to sell the item Raid ? If it is a WEISU then you could try eBay - the picture I posted was from a London auction catalogue about a year back. I don't know what it fetched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Thanks a lot for your collective advices. I am not a dealer as some of you may know and I don't even need the extra cash, but this item just sits there in a box since I don't need it. I am surprised by its current collector value, and I don't feel a bit guilty trying to get a market value for it. I am reluctant to go with ebay because things are often being bought for values below their true market values. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 I think the one that Raid has is the SBLOO 35 mm brightline finder, which is a beautifully made chrome finder that is a pleasure to look through. The Weisu was (I believe) the earliest individual 35 mm finder (not including the torpedo multifinders that had a frame for 35 mm. The came in chrome or black paint with the flared front (as in the picture above) or without the flare. There was an even rarer 50 mm finder of similar type (I forget the code name) that I believe was made for the Leitz single shot device. The rare Leica finders, believe it or not, can reach prices of $ 1500 or more. The SBLOO is not in that league but can bring $ 350 to 500 depending upon condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 Eliot: You are right about my finder. It is a like new SBLOO. It looks as if $500 is the "target value" to aim at. It really is a pleasure to look through this finder. I wonder why new finders don't have the same quality of craftmanship like this one does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliot_rosen1 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Raid, bear in mind, 350-500 is retail. You can expect to get around 2/3 of that from a dealer, depending on condition. I would guess about the same on eBay, unless you are lucky enough to find someone who really wants one at the time yours is posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 I'll do my best, Eliot. Maybe I just keep the finder if there is no good offer for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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