[Leica] Summilux vs Summicron

[vick.ko at sympatico.ca (Vick Ko)]

I try always to buy used, to move down the depreciation curve.

I have only ever bought three items new and the third was in trade for
an item that I wanted to sell.  (M6 non-TTL, now sold; Noctilux - I'll
keep it always and pass it down to my son when I "leave", and an MP -
received in trade for a lens, some day I'll get around to either using
it or selling it).

On the down side, I never get to have something the first year it is
out, but it is worth the wait.  I also then get to read all about the
teething pains.

I'm actually quite surprised that the 50f1.4 ASPH, which is merely a
mechanical item, is experiencing teething pains.  I fully expect the
electronic items (M6, MP, M7, R8, R9, upcoming digi-backs) to suffer
teething pains.  But a lens, which is no more than glass elements,
mounts, iris and the focusing helix, should be flawless from the Solm's
factory.

regards,
Vick
.



-----Original Message-----
From: lug-bounces+vick.ko=sympatico.ca@leica-users.org
[mailto:lug-bounces+vick.ko=sympatico.ca@leica-users.org] On Behalf Of
B. D. Colen
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 6:52 PM
To: 'Leica Users Group'
Subject: RE: [Leica] Summilux vs Summicron


That used to be the beauty, Vic. But alas, with the dying of film, it is
no longer true. While Leica equipment may hold its value better than
most film equipment, it is no longer holding it the way it did even a
year ago. M6 TTLs purchased for $1995 were selling for about $1450 in
near mint condition - now they're down to about $1150 - if you're lucky-
and used M7s, which are now selling for, what, around $2800, are only
worth approximately 50% of their new priced once they've been driven off
the lot. So if you're going to invest $2500 in a 50 1.4 lens, you damn
well better love that lens. ;-)