Value of my equipment?

[blake_hawley]

Recently I cam into posession of a M3. It has the lense it came with plus a wide angle lense. Don't know the specifics (its at home). Has light meter, sun shade, the "ever-ready" brown leather camera case and a carrying case. I know nothing about photography and was thinking about selling it so I can put a bigger down payment on a Harley or pay for some school. I've had it looked at by some pawn shops and camera stores and they said it is in pretty good condition. But, neither could give me a dollar amount on the stuff. One pawn shop said he knew a guy that would give me $1500 for it the way it is. Is that a fair price? Blake

[richie chishty]

Blake:

 

<p>

 

You can check completed auctions on EBAY to get an estimate for the

value of your equipment. If you provide more information about the

camera and lenses, including condition, serial number, focal length,

etc., there are many Leica experts on this forum who can give you a

very good estimate of their value. If you are at all interested in

photography, you have an excellent kit to do some serious shooting!

[chris_chen]

Blake,

 

<p>

 

Go home tonight, take the equip. out, write down each model (M3,

Summicron...), write down each serial no., and note each item's cond.

as you would when you buy a used a Harley (Leica

shoppers/owners/users are picky like Harly people). I have a friend

who has a Harley and he told me to be careful of the rivets in my

jeans when mounting the bike; "you might scratch the paint", sheeesh.

[chris_chen]

Oh, I forgot, post the info here tomorrow.

[tom5]

With respect to condition and price - I know Leica people are very

careful of condition. But, suppose someone has done the

equivalent of scratching their name on their Harley and etched

their social security number on the top plate of a Leica M3, about

what percentage might this take off the value, assuming nearly

perfect cosmetics and operating condition otherwise? In other

words, how much less do I offer on a nearly perfect M3 but with

the owner's social security number etched on top?

[chris_chen]

Tom,

 

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Prices are definitely lower for such marred items: somewhat less than

the cost of a new top plate from Leica ($400, is it still

possible?). I care less-and-less about cosmetics than I used to

(except glass). I figure that it'll be a long time before I sell

anything. So, I recently picked up an M3 where a number was

scratched on the body inside the bottom plate. The camera had a 2001

CLA and recovering by DAG w/receipt for $480 (!). I figure the body

cost me <$200.

 

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I have a near mint M4 with a stylized signature engraved in the back

of the top plate that I picked up for $1100 w/Summarit. So, as is

often said: use the equip.; they're just tools; don't collect...

[tom5]

I agree with you Chris and quite possibly I may be able to get a

marked up Leica at a excellent price just because someone

ELSE does care about such markings.

[ralph_barker]

Chris,

 

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What if it happens to be James Dean's social security number? ;-)