[Leica] Leica prices

[Jim Shulman]

Consider, too, that the relative positions of the dollar to the German
Mark/Euro were radically different in the 50s--at that time the exchange
rate was four Marks to the dollar. Additionally, the M3 was not the
specially assembled, a la cart item that the M7/MP is today, but a
production camera that sold in the tens of thousands.  In a sense it's a
little like comparing the original Nikon SP at about $400 with lens to the
Nikon SP reissue, which sold for about five grand.  Two very different
markets, though the basic cameras were about the same.

Jim


-----Original Message-----
From: LUG [mailto:lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org] On
Behalf Of Chris Crawford
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2014 3:10 PM
To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org>
Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica prices

Which is half what a new film Leica costs today.

--
Chris Crawford
Fine Art Photography
Fort Wayne, Indiana
260-437-8990

http://www.chriscrawfordphoto.com  My portfolio

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On 9/23/14 1:12 PM, "Sonny Carter" <sonc.hegr at gmail.com> wrote:

>According to the Consumer Price Index, $288 bucks in 1954 translates to
>$2495 in 2014.
>
>Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Sep 23, 2014, at 12:04 PM, Larry Zeitlin via LUG
>><lug at leica-users.org> wrote:
>>
>> 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
>>
>>
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>
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