Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/06/10

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Stopped at PENN Camera Today--eeeekkk!!
From: "Steve LeHuray" <icommag@toad.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 17:18:27 -0500

> 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