Thinking of Selling M Outfit

[joseph_barbano]

In December 2004, I purchased a new M outfit sort of in celebration

of having recently sold my company. However, since purchasing it,

between my D2, R8 and D70 outfit, I've hardly used it. I have

probably put about 5 rolls of film through each camera. Anyway, I'm

thinking of (considering) selling but have no idea what the system

is worth. I went to eb*y and a few Leica used camera sellers websites

(the usual suspects)but don't really have a sense so I'm asking here.

 

Here's the list:

-Two Black Paint MPs 0.72 Serials starting with 29 and 30

respectively

-28 Elmarit

-35 ASPH Summicron

-50 Summicron

-90 Elmarit

-Two Black paint Leicavits

 

All new when purchased in Dec 2004, all boxes, etc.

 

Thanks in advance.

[joseph_barbano]

ALso, I have 2 Leica M6 eveready cases as well. The cameras have ALWAYS had the half-case on to protect the paint. I bought these new as well in Dec 2004. Thanks.

[robertmccurley]

You'll regret it later.

[oceanphysics]

I never have.

[michael_kastner]

Now don't get me wrong, but if you bought all that Leica stuff (or <i>any</i> Leica stuff) only 14 months ago and still don't know what it is (or was) worth, then don't worry, just sell anything/everything. You <i>won't</i> regret it later.

[joseph_barbano]

I obviously know what it was worth when I bought it; I'm interested in the "current" used maket value. I think the market's a lot softer now than it was in 2004. Not sure.

[SCL]

Why not just put it on the 'Bay & let the market determine what it is worth, you're going to get rid of it anyway...you'll spend more time nickle & diming when the market will ultimately be the determinate anyway. Just my $0.02. Good luck, too bad you never got full enjoyment out of it.

[paul_rybolt]

Joseph, I'm always amazed that a serious question such as yours gets such unresponsive responses. This is my take on the market from a midwestern US point of view.

MP's used are about $2000-$2100 each.

the 28mm depends on whether it's the F2.0 or the F2.8 version. The 2.8 would be about $800 and the F2.0 about $1200.

50mm f2.0 assuming it's the most recent sliding hood model would be about $600.

90mm is about $550.

Leicavits are tough because Leica gave them away on a recent promotion. they are tough to sell at $600 each but that should be about right.

 

Take my figures with a grain of salt as they reflect what prices would be in one particular part of the world. they are also retail rpices and not what a re-seller would offer you.

[paul_rybolt]

I missed the 35 on my response to you. that would be about $1000 in Ohio dollars.

[wmwhee]

Paul Rybolt's figures look just about right to me. Bill/Colorado USA

[michael_kastner]

Joseph, to be honest (and serious) again, I'd never buy or sell anything without first looking at eBay prices for a few months. Copy and save all the statistics. Then you'll really know what things are worth (and selling for) today! I did that with the last 4-5 M-lenses I bought and haven't regretted anything since. In fact, I'd never do it otherwise. Even if it costs you "those few months" of work.

[Uhooru]

Have you looked at B & H and KEH, they are good indicators of the retail market. Paul's price's

for, especially for the 50 cron are a bit low I would think, assuming your stuff if only barely

used should be mint? KEH who are usually pretty fair for instance has ex+ 50 cron (they

don't say which version) at over $900. I say its worth the time to see what the real value is,

unless you need to literally dump the stuff.

[._._z]

<i><blockquote> In December 2004, I purchased a new M outfit sort of in

celebration of having recently sold my company. However, since purchasing it,

between my D2, R8 and D70 outfit, I've hardly used it. </blockquote> </i><p>

 

Not uncommon. <p>

 

When you sell it, don't call it used, it's just pre-fondled.

[robert_haller]

Joseph - you should have rather invested in nice Bordeaux instead of black paint M...

 

Selling them is kultural canibalism... either you love film or not... find out who you are... grab them next weekend with some 400CN or Ilford XP ...

 

Pardon - but I dont have a better advise ...

[fotografz]

Can't regret what you never experienced. The only regret you may have is the financial lost

going from new to used. Prices seem right as quoted, except the cameras themselves

seem a touch high for the times/demand.

 

However, I think if you are patient, just put them up on e-bay with a reserve you can live

with and let the market express itself. If the reserve isn't met, just keep re-listing it.

 

One thought you could consider is selling the camera bodies and Leicavits, and use some

of the money for a Epson RD-1 M mount digital. Any M kit is still smaller than anything

you mentioned, and is a pleasure to travel with. Or keep the lenses and wait to see if Leica

does indeed make it to market with a M Digital.

 

If it is the rangefinder type camera itself that's put you off, just dump it all now.

[g-man1]

About 60% of brand new is what most *current* used Leica stuff (at the most) goes for, in my buying experience, on ebay. Anything less and I've considered it a good deal. I had been looking to get some current, used, Canon lenses and these ended up going for near and sometimes more than the B&H prices.

[lee hamiel]

Simply put - I would suggest offering them here on P-Net Leica forum & ask what you would like to realize from a sale & then if no takers or decent offers either lower the prices or take it all to ebay.

 

My only reference would be for the Leicavits - new are about 1000. & most have sold for 500 to 600 USD new in box & as others have said it was a promotional item for a while.

 

Good luck with the emails you probably have coming in & I may be interested as well.

 

Hope it all goes well for you.

[vic_.]

Hi Joseph, You're certainly not the first, and definitely won't be the last person to sell a newly bought Leica M kit! There is some good advice buried between the sarcastic babble.

<p>The market price for used gear has gone up since 2004, because (1) the price of new Leica M gear is very high, so new entrants are generally serious buyers and this has slowed the entry of used gear for sale, (2) there is a limited supply of mint used gear on the market, and (3) for lenses, particularly the wider focal lengths, the coming of the Leica M Digital camera has generated a sudden interest in them, as it probably has a multiplier factor of 1.3.

<p>You will get better prices on eBay than on this forum, because the regular posters and readers have already got their kits, and buy if something is priced at a bargain. My advice is to go directly to eBay.

<p>Here's what I've seen for mint gear on eBay:

<br>28mm Elmarit ~ up to $1,300

<br>28mm Summicron ~ up to $1,800 (not many used ones come to market)

<br>35mm Summicron Asph ~ $1,200

<br>50mm Summicron ~ $650 - $750

<br>90mm Elmarit ~ $650 - $750 (for some strange reason this lens has the cheapest used price of any current lenses)

<br>I don't know about the MP's and Leicavits, but on eBay you will get the best, as there is a wider buyer base than photonet.

<p>These prices are probably chump change for you, so before you sell your kit, try and use it for a bit, or have a family member try it out. The picture quality is astounding.

<p>Best of luck!

[lee hamiel]

Vic:

 

Can buy a new 28 'cron for 2190. from HKSupplies - I have dealt with them before from the US with no problems - 2995. from B&H.

 

With that said - Joseph - a lot depends on what you paid for all of this if you are working the percentage aspect - if so then use B&H or KB Cameras for the general new price number.

 

I also agree with Vic to a certain extent that you will probably realize higher prices on ebay but in my opinion only if you will sell globally.

 

A lot of the pricing on here is stifled because most only want to sell in the UK/USA/etc. .

 

Therefore - I suggest considering selling anywhere as I do & the 5 minutes of customs forms are no problem & the buyer pays all duties & taxes if applicable.

[j_t3]

Paul, Vic and Lee are all right on base with this one.

 

Something is essentially worth, whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

 

Give or take a few bucks in either direction from their numbers and that is essentially where your gear will fall into.

 

The numbers you see for KEH or B&H are used prices that they ask and obviously with their brick and mortar stores and long standing reputations as well as whatever warranty they offer will allow them to command much more then you will get. The 50% to 60% range of new is about it. There has also been a flood of gear up for sale lately as many people choose to do the same thing that you are. Digital has caused many a system to end up on the bay or for sale on the net.

 

Good luck with it, I think you should load a few rolls this week and burn some images to take one last serious look at it before deciding to unload it all. You'll be kicking yourself if you ever decide to buy it back someday which will probably end up costing you more then you'll get for it now.

 

Best regards, JT

[j_t3]

Paul R,

 

By the way, what is the current exchange rate between an Ohio Dollar and a NJ Dollar?

 

Sorry, just couldn't resist......

[Uhooru]

"long standing reputations as well as whatever warranty they offer will allow them to command much more then you will get."

 

What's your basis for that? Even their stuff for exc + is higher than what people here are suggesting for what should be mint condition product. Don't sell yourself short. You can always lower prices. People will pay for stuff if they know they don't have to send it in for a CLA and that's its spot on equipment. Prices have come way down...for user equipment that will probably need to be serviced when you buy it and you have to factor in about 300 bucks more than what you paid. It hasn't come down for near new stuff.

[daveg]

Joseph, Vic's estimates sound reasonable to me. It doesn't sound like you are selling to raise cash, but rather don't want unused equipment around.

 

I would suggest holding on to one MP, the 35 summicron, and one never-ready case if you can. Put everything else on e*ay, or sell it here if you feel more comfortable.

 

Go to the local drugstore and buy a cheapo camera bag that people use for digicams. (My favorite is the Tamrak TEK, $18 Calif. dollars.) Keep your MP/35 in the nondescript bag in your car even when you aren't planning to take pictures. If you still haven't used it by this time next year then sell it too.

[nzdavid]

Joseph, Marc's suggestion seemed worth thinking about... wait for a digital M. You could

then get rid of the D2 and D70. Will dollar value of MPs appreciate? Possibly, but they

don't seem to be much value right now if you aren't using them. For comparisons, check

out photovillage.com in NYC, www.leicashop.at in Vienna and ffordes in Scotland.

[mike-images]

Joseph,

 

on a completely practical note: should you decide to sell your MPs I may be interested. If so please email me on: pelorus32 at yahoo dot com dot au.

 

Regards

 

Mike

[luigi v]

My serious self patiently in the queue for an MP BP body should you decide to sell...

Lu

[kenghor]

Why don't u keep the lens for the time being? U might later get interested with the digital

M. I've dumped my M gears when I moved to digital some years back. I'll see how the

digital M turns out to be and decide if I should invest in the M again.

[g-man1]

I've actually listed my M7 outfit on ebay with a starting bid of $1 (along with a reserve). I have a M7 0.72, 21 elmarit asph , 35 summicron asph, 50 summilux non-asph titanium, and 90 elmarit e46 titanium, along with voigtlander viewfinder, filters, and mech timer -- I'll let you know what it goes for.

[._._z]

If you don't use it, dump it. All you'll lose is your Leicafondler membership.

[g-man1]

My kit ended up going for $7500 US.

[raymond_tai]

Are you in dire need of money? Doesn't seem reasonable you should lose 40% of your initial cost without good reason. If you must sell something then sell the bodies/winders since the lenses can't depreciate anymore and you can use them in the future with a digital body.

[joseph_barbano]

I think I may just keep the M stuff for a while, perhaps for good. Although I shoot film (R & M) and digital (D2 & D70), I'm not sold on the digital workflow (PS workload)or ENDPRODUCT regardless of the "technical analysis" about resolution, post-processing, blah, blah,... except for P&S convenience.

 

I did receive quite a few direct e-mails about the M bodies and many were very interesting. Thanks for all of the inputs.<div></div>

[j_m32]

I'd so love to have a black paint MP. Unfortunatly they're still a little too expensive for me. Hopefully the M8 will bring down the prices a bit :)