Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> In a message dated 6/7/01 3:29:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, icommag@toad.net > writes: > > << I just > wonder how much money I will get in 30 years when I trade them in on > something. >> > > Steve: > > I suppose we would all rather live in an inflation-free world; but that's not > going to happen. I bought my first M4 in New York City exactly 34 years ago: > $371.60 with a 50/2 DR Summicron. I still have both. Same time, paid $187. > for a 90/2 Summicron and $142.80 for 35/2 Summicron. Wish I still had the > latter since by chance it was black paint and there was no difference in > price! Leitz E39 UV filters were $6.26, the E48 UV was $8.16 and the 12585 > sunshade was $8.40. Took the 90 Summicron back the next day - found it too > heavy and bulky - and swapped for a *fat* 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit. Total outlay > was $730.48 and the shop, Camera Place, gave me 5% for *trade* of a > non-existant Leica IIIf. Total net cost: $767.01 Was still using my old > Weston Master V (still have that and it still meters accurately tho' I don't > use it) so went back ten days later and sprung for a Luna Pro at $56. > > I just sold a duplicate 35/2 Summicron - the original 8-glass, virtually mint > - in original bubble and box for $1,500. In 30 years, if your M6 is still > mint, maybe worth $7,500!!! But a base Ford sedan will cost maybe $100,000. > > LaK 9 Seth > Seth, That comment was tongue in cheek, as I do not think of cameras as an investment. BUT, the user black paint M2 that I paid $450 for 15 years ago, and that price included a SA 21/4.0, 35/3.5 and 50/2.0 all chrome. I sold the SA 21 last year for $1200 (already ahead of the game) and I have been told the black M2 has become very valuable, but I do not care about that as I still give it a pounding everyday, I am a user, not collector (pack rat, yes). The two M6s were paid for with a lot of Nikon gear that I stared buying 30 years ago (most of it used and some bought at pawn shops for not very much money). Frankly it was getting riduculous keeping all that gear that I no longer used. Besides I do not expect to be alive in 30 years so it is all a mute point. sl