Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/15

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Subject: [Leica] Used prices going down?
From: "Don Dory" <dorysrus@mindspring.com>
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 22:21:37 -0400

It is just as likely that we are in one of the nadirs of camera pricing.
Many on this list remember when SLR's were the hot ticket and you could
buy rangefinders for literally nothing.  I bought an MP for $150.  I
know people who bought SP's for under $100.  Lenses were the same way.

Right now the herd of humanity is on a digital kick.  For many, digital
makes sense.  For some situations, there is nothing like a rangefinder
with a fast lens.

I also suspect that many collections are coming on the market as the
founders of LHSA and similar groups around the world are getting old
enough that some rationalization to their estate needs to be made.  I do
think that the non metered cameras will be making a permanent reduction
in price.

My reasoning is similar to what is going on with collectable cars.  The
value of cars from the 20's through the early fifties is plummeting with
the exception of the truly exceptional vehicle.  So your Ferrari that
won the Mille Magalia keeps going up but your 1952 Desoto doesn't draw
too many looks these days.  This is just a generational thing, as a
cohort hits their money years; those things that were treasured when
they were young become valuable for a while.

I don't think many people still have an interest in my Oval tine secret
decoder ring from the 30's.

Don
dorysrus@mindspring.com


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