Gold Leica - If you have $20,000

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format
Paul Howell said:
If I were to get a $20,000 bling camera it would a gold plated Alpa 11.

View attachment 331046
Click to expand...

See, that is how I expect gold plate to look - all shiny. The Leica gold finish is matte, which makes me think it is gold paint - as in paint with some gold in it. The M4-2 that I linked to - on the ebay ad where the pics are more detailed - you can see the finish has worn off around the camera base key. And it looks silver underneath (zinc? chrome?) Plating would not do that.


Leica M4-2 Gold Edition Barnack 1879-1979 w/ 50mm Summilux f/1.4! Free shiping! | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Leica M4-2 Gold Edition Barnack 1879-1979 w/ 50mm Summilux f/1.4! Free shiping! at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

 

madNbad

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2020
Messages
1,402
Location
Portland, Oregon
Format
35mm RF
All Leica M cameras use brass bottom plates. When the move to zinc for the top plates, they experimented with using zinc for the bottom plate but found the hinge wouldn’t stand up to the stress and would crack or sometimes just break off. It’s gold plating, just not Alpha quality gold plating.
 

eli griggs

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2005
Messages
3,855
Location
NC
Format
Multi Format
Just another knock around camera for the hunting/fishing car glove box, that never gets locked.
;-)
 

Steven Lee

Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2022
Messages
1,430
Location
USA
Format
Medium Format
RalphLambrecht said:
For people with more money than brains!
Click to expand...

During 2019-21 collectible camera gear had higher ROI than many investment vehicles. Some wealth management software systems have a feature to treat exotic collectibles as an asset class. No different from stocks, cash, precious metals, old wine and art pieces. You don't even need to see or touch them. There are consultants that will manage these items for you stored in air controlled and heavily protected hangars at some international airports to keep them outside of any country's jurisdiction.
 

mshchem

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
14,695
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format

Sounds like a bunch of crooks. Probably what my wife buys in her Roth IRA.
 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format

I dont like the gold plated look, but at least on the Alpa it looks like it was done right, if that’s your thing.
But perhaps Leica uses that matte finish so it can be used as a camera, instead of blinding you if you try use it in sunlight? Then again, they don’t seem to care whether their cameras scratch film or not, so doubtful.
 

Kodachromeguy

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Messages
2,056
Location
Olympia, Washington
Format
Multi Format
Paul Howell said:
If I were to get a $20,000 bling camera it would a gold plated Alpa 11.

View attachment 331046
Click to expand...

Alpas are perpetually popular among collectors. I have read that the cameras were immaculately machined, and the lenses were among the very best form various European lens companies. But I do not recall ever reading of photographers who used Alpa cameras. I have never seen one in the field. What is the story (if any)?
 
Last edited:
OP
OP

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,705
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
Although not a rangefinder, well the very early Alpa's had both SLR and a rangefinder, the later models were just too expensive for most working photographers, but were more popular with scientist for field work. There was an American photographer who used to cover U.S space shoots, he had the electro mechanical motor drive. When a working PJ I only knew of one guy who shot with 2 Alpas Neil Heart(?) who worked for a German newspaper chain. Last I saw him in the early 80s he had moved on to Canon F1s. Alpa not only contracted with Kern, Delft, Schneider and Angenieux, Alpa also bought from Zoomar and Pentax. Also Modern and Popular reviewers were not too found of Alpa. The film advance is just very odd, and lacked the features that were common on pro level system cameras like Nikon and Canon like interchangeable viewfinder and focusing screens and handheld motor drives. I have friend who wife inherited a 11e, he sent it to me to go over it. Yes the wind is very odd, but once I got use to it, smooth, some of the movements were jeweled and Kern Swiss, 50mm macro what a lens. Last was there very sellers and the camera had to be sent back to the home office for repairs, only a few US repair techs would even do a CLA. You can a review in Modern Photo here.

Keppler's Vault 60: Modern’s Top 47 Cameras of 1974

I started out Keppler's Vault 54 of Modern's Top 47 cameras of 1969 by saying photographers love lists, and boy, was I right! That summary of some of the be
www.mikeeckman.com
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,389
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

I would rather have blue leather on my Hasselblads.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,389
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Sirius Glass said:
I would rather have blue leather on my Hasselblads.
Click to expand...

Huss said:
There is a blue leather w gold metal edging Hasselblad anniversary edition. It actually looks gorgeous.
Click to expand...


For $20,000US I could buy two and shoot in stereo, but where would the speakers be?
 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format
BHuij said:
This camera wasn't made to appeal to photographers, it was made to appeal to rich camera collectors. Of course the average Photrio user will immediately write it off as absurd at this price point.
Click to expand...
Which camera are you talking about?
 

reddesert

Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2019
Messages
2,418
Location
SAZ
Format
Hybrid

Gold plate can be finished in a burnished or satin finish that isn't shiny (I imagine if anyone actually used the shiny camera, it would no longer be shiny). Also, I think the usual method of gold plating brass is to put on a very thin silver plate first, then gold - maybe the gold doesn't adhere directly. When it wears at use areas, you may see the underlying plating. I've read about this in the context of gold plate finished musical instruments, which can look really nice, though I've never seen one up close in person.

You can lacquer brass so it looks gold. That is the usual and more economical way that brass instruments (and doorknobs, etc) are finished, but it doesn't look like gold plate when it wears. I don't think this camera is gold paint. I wouldn't actually want a gold plated camera, but I would take a gold plated saxophone off your hands if necessary.
 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format

Thanks. I don't like the look on either camera, but at least the Alpa to me looks like it really is gold plated! The gold plating on the Leica looks like paint to me.
 

Huss

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
9,058
Location
Hermosa Beach, CA
Format
Multi Format
BHuij said:
...the uh, $20,000 limited edition gold Leica. That one.
Click to expand...

asked because the Hasselblad was thrown into the mix.

That $20K KEH Leica is available at a bunch of other places for $6-$8K. I'd hate to be the sucker customer who bought if from KEH, only to find that out later!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…