Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/02/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Dan, I don't think that because Marc acquires something and later sells it at a profit defines him as a collector. If he does it enough he may be a dealer which is actually quite different and maybe the opposite of a collector. With Leica, if you follow the used market at all, you should have a fairly good idea of what is a good deal. Since Leica, unlike many other brands has tended to hold its value, through inflation alone, there is a profit potential. Also some equipment may be acquired before it is recognized as a collectable which may drive the price up or lessen the loss of value. Case in point. When I acquired my CL, I paid what I thought was a reasonable value. That value was below the then market value, but more than I had considered purchasing a camera system for. But it was a friend in need and I did him a favor vs. buying something I wanted. I have used it steadily since that time and today I could sell it for between 1.5 and 1.8 times the purchase price. It was not acquired for a collection or a profit, but for use. The fact that after so much wonderful time with it, I could sell it at a profit does not make me a collector. Though I did not buy one at the time, I did look at a 3 Lug M5 some 5 years ago to add to the CL. Today, I could have a profit in excess of about $1500 if I sold it at SB pricing. Again, it wouldn't make me a collector. I think that a collector is better defined as a person who acquires assets for the purpose of holding them for appreciation in value. A dealer could be defined as one who acquired assets for the purpose of reselling at a profit. As, I've noted before, for the past several years Leica has performed better in appreciation increase than the stock market. Even a user should realize a profit on resale, provided he has made a prudent investment initially. While much of my photo budget is invested in Bronica, if possible I'd like a good IIIg with lenses, and M5 and M3 all with lenses. I can't use all at once, but it wouldn't make me a collector since each would have its own use in my arsenal. I think that some people are guilty of being collectors without even knowing it. I can recall Marc Small claiming to use all of his equipment, implying that he is a user, yet he also claims to sell some of his cameras and/or lenses for more than he paid for it. That appears to be a characteristic of a collector (the worst kind, for that is what is driving up prices)! Dan C. Brian Levy, J.D. Scarborough Ont.