Thread: Need help on pricing for Leica M3 and lenses

I'm very new to the film camera game. Could someone please help me with a pricing for this setup?
I understand that a lot would have to do with the condition of the gear. But assuming it's in a good condition, how much would this cost approximately?
I'm speaking to the seller tomorrow, he hasn't posted a price on this gear.

Camera model- M3 (1135703) with additional light meter(leica-meter MC) (sn#1135703)
Leather original leica camera cover.

Lens-
Leitz wetzlar,summicron - 1:2.8/35 (sn#2101147)
" " " - 1:2/50 (sn#1833093)
" " elmar - 1:4/135 (sn#1769614)

Every lens has lens hood and UVa filter. also has orange,
green and yellow filters. Lenses have original cover case.


Any help much appreciated!

Boid,
You will need to know the serial numbers of the lenses as Leica produce several versions with the same name over the years that have differing values. This site gives a good starting point of what you should expect to pay: Antique and Classic Camera Home Page. The heat has come out of the market at the moment so prices are generally at the lower end of their range.

Happy hunting!

this could turn into a long complicated thread Boid!
It gets complicated with Leica lenses as there are often multiple versions of each which tend to command different prices.
I don't know enough to offer help, except to say that a 35mm 2.8 is a Summaron not a Summicron (Summicron = f/2) , and to suggest you have a look at the classifieds at RFF and GetDPI.

Originally Posted by defektive

Boid,
You will need to know the serial numbers of the lenses as Leica produce several versions with the same name over the years that have differing values. This site gives a good starting point of what you should expect to pay: Antique and Classic Camera Home Page. The heat has come out of the market at the moment so prices are generally at the lower end of their range.

Happy hunting!

He did provide serial numbers but I took them off thinking it was unnecessary info! I've added them back in now. It's all Greek to me.

Thanks for the link. Will read through and try and make sense of it.

Originally Posted by pdh

this could turn into a long complicated thread Boid!
It gets complicated with Leica lenses as there are often multiple versions of each which tend to command different prices.
I don't know enough to offer help, except to say that a 35mm 2.8 is a Summaron not a Summicron (Summicron = f/2) , and to suggest you have a look at the classifieds at RFF and GetDPI.

Uh oh. I was looking through RFF since earlier today. Conversations like "Should I go for a .72 or a .85" left me completely flummoxed.

The Leica MC meter is (now - they are old), not really any good - (I have 2 or 3) - all they do is scratch the top plate on the M3 - the readings they produce are - well, just of no use

with the M3 either get used to and use the "sunny 16" method or buy a digital light meter

The following link may help you with info on M Lens

Leica M Lens Users Guide

Good luck

Prices for M3 - searching EBay - Leica M3 - then advanced - then completed listings is probably the best way to discover the current price of an M3 - (by the serial number it looks as if the one you are looking at is a "single stroke")

The lens serial numbers are on the following link

http://www.forloren.dk/lbf/leica_lens_serial.htm

and this is a useful Leica lens info site

http://www.antiquecameras.net/leicamlenses.html

The guy puts a value on lens - but I would only use these values for comparative purposes - e.g between one lens and another

Originally Posted by defektive

Boid,
Antique and Classic Camera Home Page.
Happy hunting!

Thanks for the link Sam! Really helped me out. From what I could figure, it should cost me anywhere between 3000 - 4000$
Which leaves it way out of my budget. Let's see what the seller asks for tomorrow. Thanks a bunch for your help everyone.

Originally Posted by Boid

way out of my budget. .

yep, Leica M isn't a budget airline ...

Condition is everything, easily a factor of3x in pricing.

On the M3: if it has not been cleaned-lubed-adjustedin the past 15 years or so, factor in an extra $200 to have a repair shop take care of it. Viewfinders fog up, shutters need adjustment. M3's go for $600 to $2000 depending on condition and serial number.

The lens: the SUMMICRON is an F2 lens, goes for over $1000 more than the 35/2.8 Summaron. Very different. These days, a Summaron 35/2.8 for the m3 should go ~$600 to $800. again- is the glass clean, no marks, and without haze?

A 50mm F2 Summicron type 1 Rigid, good condition, $800 or so these days. Long gone are the $100 Summicrons. Not to mention the $71 Summicron.

The 135 F4 Elmar- about $250.