Leica collecting....

[CropDusterMan]

Today, I was on Ebay looking at 35 F2's as I plan on adding one to my current user Leica kit...all
of my cameras are users, awesome shape, but I use them daily, so therefor....users. I see a price
today of $9900 for a lens, and sent the seller a PM to ask if it was a typo. No he replied. I ran the serial number, and its an 8 element 35/2 Summicron manufactured in approx 1960 with a run of over 110K units, based on Ken Rockwells site of Leica production numbers. Not sure how accurate these are, but this lens was in 8/10 condition stated by the seller. Does anyone ever buy these for this much? I guess I'm a little baffled as I shoot a lot and give a rats ass about collecting. Who would pay that much for a Series I 35/2?

 

[chip j]

Would you believe that as an Army peon making $200/month in 1967 I was able to afford a new M4 & 6 new lenses (from 21mm to 135mm)? Leica prices weren't a whole lot more than Nikon prices then. I had them both. "Course I was in Germany w/4 Marks to the dollar!

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Crazy prices for the 35/2 8-element black lens. I'm seeing asking prices of $16,000, $23,000, and $36,000 - the latter in what I would call KEH Ugly Grade.

The good news is you can get a Summicron 35/2 for well under $2000.

The only 35mm lens I have in a rangefinder camera is in my Olympus XA.

 

[Xmas]

Today, I was on Ebay looking at 35 F2's as I plan on adding one to my current user Leica kit...all
of my cameras are users, awesome shape, but I use them daily, so therefor....users. I see a price
today of $9900 for a lens, and sent the seller a PM to ask if it was a typo. No he replied. I ran the serial number, and its an 8 element 35/2 Summicron manufactured in approx 1960 with a run of over 110K units, based on Ken Rockwells site of Leica production numbers. Not sure how accurate these are, but this lens was in 8/10 condition stated by the seller. Does anyone ever buy these for this much? I guess I'm a little baffled as I shoot a lot and give a rats ass about collecting. Who would pay that much for a Series I 35/2?

A mug punter.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Leica gear collectors do exists. Deep pocket, small details society. Our local ex-Leica technician who is now semi-retired from his family camera store has these wierd items periodically. Explanation why particular item which looks regular is special makes sense for me in terms of how rare item is. But I would never pay extra price for it. Leica or not. To me it is nothing but nice gear with some personal sentimental attachments with some cameras.
I was thinking about M1 as not so expensive Leica M body for street photography, but it apears to be collector item

 

[John Koehrer]

What a difference an asterisk makes.
The Summitar 50/2 was made until 1955. Towards the end Summitar* was on the beauty ring.
Can you say prototype Summicron? Or just $$$$$$