1952/53 Leica IIIf Red Dial up for auction and the price is low!

indy_kid · Nov 7, 2013

I found it at PropertyRoom.com, a site that sells used police and municipal gear. They sometimes have stolen items that couldn't be returned to their original owners, and they also have "partners" who can sell using the site.

Regardless of its origin, there's a 1952-53 Leica IIIf Red Dial, S/N: 635582, up for auction. At the moment (1135 EST, 11/7), the bid is $400, which, from reading forum and blog posts, appears to be quite a low price!

You can see the camera here: http://www.propertyroom.com/l/leica-ernst-leitz-wetzlar-slr-camera/9305776

So, if you're interested, you have about 9 hours left in the auction!

Good luck!

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2013

$400. What shape is it in? Add the cost of an overhaul and it's not that much of a deal. Besides, I would never buy a stolen item, period.

indy_kid · Nov 7, 2013

E. von Hoegh said:
$400. What shape is it in? Add the cost of an overhaul and it's not that much of a deal. Besides, I would never buy a stolen item, period.

As to the condition, I added the link so you can see for yourself; an overhaul may not be required. The folks at the web site either lack the knowledge to give a reasonable assessment or won't risk giving one for fear of it being wrong. They take a minimalist approach.

As for the camera itself, it's no longer considered stolen! Obviously, no web site would knowingly sell stolen gear, especially one started by a group of police departments! Items like these, if the owner can't be found, are considered free and clear of any future claim. It's also possible that the owner was located and had already been paid by his/her insurance company. The insurance company probably doesn't want to deal with selling such items, and simply writes them off as a loss.

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2013

indy_kid said:
As to the condition, I added the link so you can see for yourself; an overhaul may not be required. The folks at the web site either lack the knowledge to give a reasonable assessment or won't risk giving one for fear of it being wrong. They take a minimalist approach.

As for the camera itself, it's no longer considered stolen! Obviously, no web site would knowingly sell stolen gear, especially one started by a group of police departments! Items like these, if the owner can't be found, are considered free and clear of any future claim. It's also possible that the owner was located and had already been paid by his/her insurance company. The insurance company probably doesn't want to deal with selling such items, and simply writes them off as a loss.

I recently bought a camera, about the same age as that one. It looks like new, at a distance of a foot. It also needs a complete overhaul including new curtains.
Lots of things are possible as far as the origins of that camera. Considering the source, I wouldn't touch it with tongs; too much chance of profiting from anothers' misfortune. YMMV. "no longer considered stolen"(!)

David Lyga · Nov 7, 2013

"no web site would knowingly sell stolen gear, especially one started by a group of police departments!"

Who you kidden, indikid?!?!?! - David Lyga

indy_kid · Nov 7, 2013

Citations, please.

David Lyga said:
"no web site would knowingly sell stolen gear, especially one started by a group of police departments!"

Who you kidden, indikid?!?!?! - David Lyga

Okay, I may have been overly broad with that claim, but please provide information about police-backed websites knowingly selling stolen property.

indy_kid · Nov 7, 2013

Whatever...

E. von Hoegh said:
Considering the source, I wouldn't touch it with tongs; too much chance of profiting from anothers' misfortune.

You mean the source being a website supported by several police and fire departments? Yeah, you can NEVER trust those people!!! oliceman:

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2013

indy_kid said:
You mean the source being a website supported by several police and fire departments? Yeah, you can NEVER trust those people!!! oliceman:

That's not what I'm typing about at all. Stolen, insurance paid off; stolen, unable to find owner; whatever - it has bad juju. If it could be shown it came to the sellers differently, that's a horse of a different color.

indy_kid · Nov 7, 2013

Study, Grasshopper....

E. von Hoegh said:
That's not what I'm typing about at all. Stolen, insurance paid off; stolen, unable to find owner; whatever - it has bad juju. If it could be shown it came to the sellers differently, that's a horse of a different color.

Go to the site and read where they get their stuff.

In case you don't understand how modern capitalism works, someone usually ends up on the bad end of the deal. Is that bad juju? I've sold several items here because I'm broke, disabled and have to pay doctor's bills. Are people paying what I ask, based on those circumstances? No, they try to lowball me. I'm sure you would as well. What color horse is that???

And that's it for me. I started this thread to let people know about a fairly rare Red Dial Leica, and all I'm getting for my efforts is grief. Don't like the look or feel of the site? Fine, don't bid.

Don't expect me to alert anyone to other such deals in the future. I don't need the hassles.

Have a nice day.

E. von Hoegh · Nov 7, 2013

indy_kid said:
Go to the site and read where they get their stuff.

In case you don't understand how modern capitalism works, someone usually ends up on the bad end of the deal. Is that bad juju? I've sold several items here because I'm broke, disabled and have to pay doctor's bills. Are people paying what I ask, based on those circumstances? No, they try to lowball me. I'm sure you would as well. What color horse is that???

And that's it for me. I started this thread to let people know about a fairly rare Red Dial Leica, and all I'm getting for my efforts is grief. Don't like the look or feel of the site? Fine, don't bid.

Don't expect me to alert anyone to other such deals in the future. I don't need the hassles.

Have a nice day.

"I'm sure you would as well"

Then you're sadly mistaken. If I couldn't pay a fair price, I'd try to connect you with someone who would. You shouldn't make so many presumptions about folks you don't know. I'm quite well acquainted with how modern capitalism works, and wish I wasn't.
Have a nice day yourself.

heterolysis · Nov 7, 2013

I don't see what difference it makes if it was maybe once stolen and never claimed for whatever reason. Should it just be destroyed forever?

I suppose it was wrong of me to adopt a dog that was listed as a "stray" too. God forbid I gave him a good home when no one ever came to claim him for whatever reason.

JLP · Nov 7, 2013

I don't see what difference it makes if it was maybe once stolen and never claimed for whatever reason. Should it just be destroyed forever?

I suppose it was wrong of me to adopt a dog that was listed as a "stray" too. God forbid I gave him a good home when no one ever came to claim him for whatever reason.

+1

400$ is not really that good a deal unless the camera is in mint condition and don't need a service. Rare it is not, there are lots of those listed for sale every day.
With a little bit of patience you can find a red dial for less than that on the big auction site.

Richard S. (rich815) · Nov 7, 2013

Could be an ok deal assuming all works well and the Summitar lacks any separation. I got a user IIIf RD fully CLA'd from Youxin Ye not too long ago for $300. It's a real gem.

1952/53 Leica IIIf Red Dial up for auction and the price is low!

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