Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/12/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> Steve - I think your example may be the exception, rather than the rule. > The price you paid for that equipment when you bought it was so far > below market as to be laughable. For your example to have any meaning at > all, you should take each of those pieces - body and each lens, check > what similar equipment was selling for in 1985, and see what it is > selling for today - after the adjustment for 15 years of inflation. My > guess is that, had you not gotten such a rediculously good deal when you > bought the stuff, you might be breaking even now. > > Generally, used Leica equipment does hold its value - as long as you > take good care of it. New Leica equipment markedly depreciates, but > probably does so less than other manufacturer's new equipment. > > But all of this ignores the real question here - is someone buying > equipment to use, or resell? And what can the buyer afford at purchase > time... > > B. D. > > BTW - When it comes to your brassed to hell and gone black paint M2, the > question is not what someone was ASKING for it, but what they ended up > getting for it. > > I will not try to argue with any of your points about my good luck with the black paint M2. Nor am I trying to suggest Leicas as any kind of investment because that is ridiculous. I am only talking long term value (I keep my cameras/cars/boats for a VERY long time). I would like to add though, last year I bought a late '60s 50/1.4 (from Sherry) for $800, those lenses sold when new for about $200. The 28/2.0 that I paid $1995 for last spring, in 15 years you will still be able to get that amount for it, but more likely $2995 (yes conjecture on my part, and I do not even expect to be alive in 15 years). Another thing to consider is, will Cosina even be producing Voightlander lenses in 15 years? Actually lets think 5 years, Cosina being a bottom line driven company and this whole Voightlander thing is a HOBBY for the CEO. I will go for the NOT being around in 5 years, which will make these CV products pretty worthless or at best a novelty. And Leica just keeps plodding along. sl - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html