RE: [Leica]What do you think of that? Not much!

["Dan S" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

My point, and my only point, is that the price of ALL USED Leica goods has 
been inflated behond reason by the collectors market.  If this were NOT the 
case than wouldn't it be safe to say that other "non-collectable" brands 
would also be selling for more used than the did new? Most have not, 
although many are fine tools for photography (ie Contax 139's and older 
Canons).

Best Wishes
Dan





>From: Dan Cardish <dcardish@microtec.net>
>Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>Subject: RE: [Leica]What do you think of that? Not much!
>Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1999 23:41:30 -0500
>
>But what is the current NEW price of the 50mm Summicron?  B&H lists them at
>$895.  So if the new price has increased by close to 300% in the
>intervening years, wouldn't you also expect used prices to do the same?
>
>Dan C.
>
>At 02:10 AM 01-12-99 GMT, Dan S wrote:
> >Marc, lets take a 50mm Summicron M for example.  In 1985 this lens was
> >selling NEW for 320.00.  That same lens is currently nearly 600.00 in 
>mint
> >condition.
> >
> >The lens is the same, but the price has increased dramatically, even
> >allowing for inflation of the dollar.  Why?  Because the market of
> >collectors is willing to shell out 450-750 for a 15 year old Summicron.  
>I
> >only argue that these prices are well outside the real value range of the
> >older pieces.
> >
> >Can anyone realistically say that the DR summicron is a far superior lens 
>to
> >the current 50 planar f1.4?  Likely not...Yet the Contax is far less NEW
> >than the Leica is USED.  Based on its real world performance you should 
>be
> >able to get a DR for 200.00 in Mint condition, not the 700.00 we can 
>expect
> >to pay.
> >
> >The economics of Leica products are similar I think to professional 
>sports
> >in that a "high tide raises all ships".  I'd say that with MP's going for
> >15,000 usd the tide is high.
> >
> >Best wishes
> >Dan States
> >>
> >>At 09:34 PM 11/30/1999 GMT, Dan S wrote:
> >> >
> >> >The collectors market has not only driven up the prices of rare 
>Leicas,
> >>but
> >> >those of every day stuff like DR Summicrons and  common LTM cameras.  
>The
> >> >price of anything "Leica" is vastly higher than it's actual value as a
> >> >photographic tool.  A perfect example is the price of clip on view
> >>finders.
> >> >Many are higher than the lens they match (IE 90mm finder vs. 90mm 
>Elmar
> >>f4).
> >> >
> >>
> >>This isn't necessarily true.  The price of DR and rigid first-generation
> >>Summicrons has remained relatively constant over the past decade, as has
> >>the price of viewfinders, during which decade the price of collectibles 
>has
> >>ballooned dramatically.  Most of the more common Leica items do 
>fluctuate
> >>but not necessarily in tune with the collectible market.
> >>
> >>Marc
> >>
> >>msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
> >>Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!
> >>
> >
> >______________________________________________________
> >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> >
> >
>
>NO ARCHIVE
>
>
>

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com