[Leica] Leica prices

[lrzeitlin at aol.com]

 These are the actual US sales prices for the Leica M3 when it was first released. I bought an M3 with an Elmar 50mm lens and a IIIF with a Summicron 50mm lens at a duty free shop in late 1954 for $254 each. I still have the cameras and the receipts. Currently a decent late model M3 with a recent CLA sells on e-Bay for about $500, at flea markets often much less. Other equally good cameras are even much cheaper. I bought a Contax IIa with a 50mm f2.0 Sonnar for $139. TX 400 film is widely available. If you want to try film you can do it for pocket change.


From the 1955 catalogue:


Leica M3 Body..................................code IGEMO.......US$288.00
Leica M3 w. Elmar 3.5/50mm.............code IMARO.......US$354.00
Leica M3 w. Summicron 2/50mm........code ISUMO.......US$447.00
Leica M3 w. Summarit 1.5/50mm........code ISAIO.........US$485.00


Larry Z