Pristine M3 + Lenses

[jay_honeycutt1]

I wish to sell the following Leica equipment:

 

- M3 - 953542

- Leitz Wetzlar Summilux 1.4/50 1644507

- Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 4/135 1775911

- Leitz Wetzlar Super-Angulon 4/21 1675466

 

for $2,500.

 

Am I out of line?

 

I have a near-perfect feedback rating ("weldon2k")

and 400+ transactions on eBay, but want to see if

a more direct and immediate transaction can be

arranged with a knowledgeable collector/photographer

who appreciates this equipment and thus avoid the

vagaries of ePay.

 

The lenses show no signs of wear.

 

The camera body shows only a "burnish" or "rub"

on the top where apparently the light meter has

pressed against it. It is otherwise pristine.

 

On instructions from my father, my mother purchased

the Leica in Dusseldorf on our way to Iran in 1959.

 

He used it while there to photograph sights from Isfahan

to the Caspian, and in cities in the Orient on his way

back to the States in 1961.

 

Thus, it has had perhaps 30 rolls of film run through

it in his two years of use.

 

Since then, it has remained - unused - in the original

leather case(s) in a closet for the past 47 years.

 

I do not have the original boxes, but do have the

individual (Leica brand) leather cases for the camera,

each lens, and the aggregate camera bag (engraved

with my mother's name).

 

Dog-eared manuals (my Dad was a voracious reader),

the original receipt and the original guarantee are included,

each from Oster & Lange in Dusseldorf. I even have a

photo of my mother in the shop!

 

Any assistance will be appreciated.

 

I can post links to photos/scans if that is permitted in this

forum.

 

Regards,

 

Jay<div></div>

[fdr]

Hi Jay,

I'd like to see some photos, if you would.

Fred

[christopher_m]

Your best bet is to try the classified seciton at rangefinderforum.com. They have a lot of sales amongst knowledgeable people.

 

$2500 is probably not too bad of a price if sold seperately. A Single stroke M3 will go for about $750 -$900. The 135/4 Elmar is probably worth about $60. I have both of the previous ones. I'm not following but if I'd have to hazard a guess, the older Summilux 50/1.4 is probably about $800-$1200 and the I'm not sure about the Super Angulon, but probably between $300-$800.

 

The folks and rangefinderforum definitely will be able to give better estimates on the last 'Lux and the Angulon.

[jay_honeycutt1]

Damn!

 

I was not prepared for such meaty responses, in less than 5 minutes!

 

Thanks . . . will do.<div></div>

[christopher_m]

Here's a link:<p>

 

<a href="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost-classifieds/index.php?cat=1">Classifieds</a><p>

 

 

Don't forget the price can vary depending the condition and age. I probably under quoted on the Elmar, it's probably

$120. There's a newer (but not new) Summilux selling for $1500 now. I've both bought and sold on the classifieds and

the experience is much better. You don't have people bidding that don't pay once the auction is up. When buying,

you also can expect better quality as people have a reputation to protect.

[cdnguyen]

Great equipment provenance ! Cool story...Good luck in selling it.

[SolaresLarrave]

Jay, don't get me wrong. I don't want to rain on your parade, but if this camera remained unused for 47 years... it may be

worth having it checked before selling it, or lower the price.

 

Look through it with a lot of care, see if there's mold (was the closet really dry?), run all the shutter speeds, move the film

advance lever and the little levers in the front (one is the self-timer, and works when you push down the small button below

the lever; the other is the frameline selector, and should move freely, not get stuck at all). In short, the grease may have

hardened and the camera may be in need of some cleaning.

[jay_honeycutt1]

Again, thanks so much for the prompt and substantive help!

 

It appears that I was not too far out of line in my valuation. If I

follow your recommendations, Christopher, it appears that:

 

M3 ($900)

50 ($1000)

135 ($100)

21 ($750)

 

for a $2,750 total is a fair>high pricing scheme for

rangefinderforum?

 

Perhaps someone can recommend a competent

shop in SE Georgia/NE Florida that could provide

a professional inspection?

 

I already did the perfunctory checks that Francisco

correctly recommends, and all appears to be fine.

At least, the shutter makes different noises at each

setting, I have neither the equipment or skill to calibrate

it.

 

Regards,

 

Jay<div></div>

[cpj]

Also, better start now with the Classified Section under both Leica/Rangefinder and under "35mm non-SLR" since the

Moderators will soon eliminate your "posting" here as I believe it is not permissible to sell stuff on the Forum section.

 

FYI, if all the lenses were bought in 1959 or so, they are all far out-dated. The Summilux has undergone at least 4 upgrades I

believe, the most recent being two years ago. The current one with asph elements sells for more than $3500 but a 1959 one

would bring far less, perhaps $500 or $600.

 

As a Leica owner I can say you should get a lot of response from the classifieds here.

[jay_honeycutt1]

Mr. Jorgensen,

 

I freely admit to being a "noob" here, but I understand this section is to find out

"how much is it worth?" . . . and it has been very helpful. I hope that I don't

get spanked here, as that is my intent.

 

Thanks,

 

Jay<div></div>

[dayton_p._strickland1]

Are you Jay Honeycutt of Acworth, Ga.?

You might also try craigslist.com, as I have had pretty good success there also.

Dayton

[jay_honeycutt1]

No, I am the good looking Jay Honeycutt . . . the one currrently from

St. Simons Island, GA.

 

BTW, while rummaging about in the case, found this receipt for the 21

and 135 lenses. It explains while they look factory new, never even

mounted. It turns out that my Mom bought them on the way home,

in Hong Kong, so my Dad never ever used them. The receipt also

references the (Ultrablitz) Cornet OK flash unit, a "potato

masher-type" unit that I vaguely remember. However, it is unobtanium.

 

I am attaching a scan of the inside cover of the flash manual, it's a hoot.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Jay<div></div>

[Gus Lazzari]

Jay, does the M3 have the 'L' wax seal at the TDC of the mount? (L for Leica)

[rjm photo]

I was living in Germany in 1959...as I recall the exchange rate was about 4 Deutsch Marks to the US Dollar...of course the only kind of money we military brats were given at the time was the script money or MPCs (military payment certificates).

[christopher_m]

The classifieds here are quite busy as well, though I've never used them. Nothing, but rather minor fees prevents you from listing them on more than one site. It's not like eBay where has to be sold to the high bidder.

 

Leica M3s and 135mm lenses are more available so their going rate is a little more defined.

 

Nothing also prevents you from listing it at a higher price and then reducing it.

[stevep]

<p>"The camera body shows only a "burnish" or "rub" on the top where apparently the light meter has pressed against it. It is otherwise pristine."</p>

<p>I hate to break it to you, but that makes it just another M3 user. The entire mechanics of an M3 can be repaired/replaced, but the top plate condition determines (IMHO) 90% of its value. "L seals" can be replaced by knowledgable servicemen.</p>

<p>OTOH, the SuperA and Summi 50 will always be attractive.</p>