so there's this Leica...

[Frank Miller]

(please tell me if this isn't the right place to ask this but....)

A friend of mine has a Leica M2, a 50mm Summicron, a 35mm 3.5 SM with an adapter, a 90mm f4 (also SM w/adapter), case... some other stuff....

And I've volunteered to eBay it for her in exchange for getting to play with it for a while.

BUT

Now I kind of want it for me.

What would be a fair price to give her for the M2 and the 50?

I've attached photos to give an idea of the condition, if anyone's interested...

 

[Donald Qualls]

I'd start by looking for completed auctions for either the same kit or the same body and lens as separate items. Completed auctions show what buyers actually paid for items, as opposed to open auctions that often only show what a seller wishfully thinks they can ask.

 

[Kino]

Maybe you can take it to a nearby camera store and ask them for a formal offer, in writing? Say, you are doing it for your friend (which you are). That way, you can both be assured it was a real offer and somewhat fairly priced...

That or do as Donald suggests above. The store would probably offer less than Ebay IMHO...

 

[mshchem]

15 years back I bought a mint M2 with the 50mm 1.4 I paid 2000 USD. It was, I think, a bit nicer than your example. I think it would be fair for you to make an offer YOU are comfortable with. Selling stuff and listing stuff are two different things. Think what KEH would offer

 

[logan2z]

Looking at completed auction prices is a good start, but I'd make sure you look at recent auctions. The prices of film M cameras have gone up quite a bit in the last year or so.

Also, what KEH would offer would be the wholesale price since they need to turn the camera around for a profit. I would think that strictly using that as a gauge may shortchange your friend.

 

[mpirie]

You could always still put it on the auction site and bid for it yourself, the same as everyone else?

That way you can be sure the seller gets the best price.

Mike

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Probably in the $2500 range give or take depending, including what you show here and the other two lenses unless the other two lenses have some rare thing about them, and you don't say what the "some other stuff" is. Sometimes with Leica the "some other stuff" could be worth more than everything else. That would be my estimation. Leica stuff shot up in the last year or so.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Maybe you can take it to a nearby camera store and ask them for a formal offer, in writing? Say, you are doing it for your friend (which you are). That way, you can both be assured it was a real offer and somewhat fairly priced...

That or do as Donald suggests above. The store would probably offer less than Ebay IMHO...

Kino, most of us no longer have a "nearby camera store." They disappeared with the digital tsunami. Think this through; he is in Oregon.

 

[Frank Miller]

Thank you all for your replies!

Honestly I really like the idea of putting it up and bidding on it myself (if that's not against eBay's rules).
There's a kind of elegant justice to it;

It forces me to ask myself how much I really want it, as opposed to just thinking it's cool to have.
And if it sells for more than I'm willing to pay, then I'd be doing her a disservice by giving her less.

Thanks!

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Honestly I really like the idea of putting it up and bidding on it myself (if that's not against eBay's rules).
There's a kind of elegant justice to it;

The problem with this plan is you will need to pay ePrey and PayPal fees. I better not put into the Internet what I think of their fees. I recommend you use another method to assess the value that you are willing to pay. Don't forget the need for overhaul and cleaning of body and lenses. In USA, this can be pretty stiff.

 

[BrianShaw]

Unfortunately that could be construed as shill bidding . Make your friend an offer... or don’t.

 

[Nige]

Does you friend have expectations? Many a thing has passed from one person to another for non market rates and both parties have been happy.

 

[Kino]

Thank you all for your replies!

Honestly I really like the idea of putting it up and bidding on it myself (if that's not against eBay's rules).
There's a kind of elegant justice to it;

It forces me to ask myself how much I really want it, as opposed to just thinking it's cool to have.
And if it sells for more than I'm willing to pay, then I'd be doing her a disservice by giving her less.

Thanks!

Nope. Can't do that, or if you do, you'll get banned for life from Ebay. Just make a reasonable offer based on what you find in past auctions and can show her.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Good Idea about self bidding on eBay. Just check if it is not against rules and put it in description, so it will be not suspicious for bidders.
M2 goes for low 900 and rigid Cron is around one thousand. On current market.

 

[mshchem]

I would buy a nice example that has a CLA and a reasonably modern lens. Otherwise you're buying an antique from a friend. For crying out loud don't give Ebay and PayPal anything, they will be charging us for oxygen before much longer.

 

[btaylor]

I very much like older lenses and the look they give.
But yes, do budget for the CLA you’re going to need. And like many others have said look into the “sold” auctions on eBay, get a good average and then offer 10-15% below those prices to account for the fees that PayPal and eBay are going to extract. I have exactly the same combo: M2 and f2 Summicron, it’s a lovely and very capable camera and lens.

 

[mshchem]

I very much like older lenses and the look they give.
But yes, do budget for the CLA you’re going to need. And like many others have said look into the “sold” auctions on eBay, get a good average and then offer 10-15% below those prices to account for the fees that PayPal and eBay are going to extract. I have exactly the same combo: M2 and f2 Summicron, it’s a lovely and very capable camera and lens.

No argument

 

[mshchem]

I like the finder on the M2. I sold a M6ttl in black chrome with the .72 finder for a silver one with the 0.85.
My friend that owns a camera store shows the customer auction results from Ebay and what KEH offers, that way people have a idea of the spread. Condition is everything with this kind of thing.
I just now, am looking at my 5cm Summar collapsable from the 30's pretty little lens, takes 34mm filters . Mine is on a nickel finish Leica III model F, has the slow speed dial. Still works great, and that 80 year old lens is sharp. Clean glass someone took the time to keep the lens cap on. Precious things.

 

[Ian Grant]

I'd look at the prices at a Leica dealer, then offer half to two thirds that price, you have to factor in authorised Leica dealers have their cameras given a service. An M2 is potenrially up to 66 years old, that in itself is not an issue but it may well now need servicing (a CLA). Here in the UK authorised Leica dealers usuall sell M2 and M3 cameras at quite reasonable prices but they sell quickly so few get listed on websites.

Ian

 

[Saganich]

A fair price for the M2 button rewind is about $800 and rigid Summicron is $750, assuming it is all working properly. Give or take $100 based on condition

 

[DonW]

My uncle took his M3 plus lenses into a local cameras store to see what they thought they were worth. He had a rough idea but just wanted to get a second "expert" opinion. The guy behind the counter told him no one wants film cameras anymore and offered him $150 for the whole lot. The camera guy knew full well what they were really worth and was trying to con my uncle. My dearly departed uncle was no dummy and told him in no uncertain terms, loud enough for everyone to hear just what he thought of him. He later sold everything for a fair price to a private buyer.

Unless you have a prior relationship with a camera store I would avoid them.

 

[Huss]

The M2 and that 50? $1200-$1300.

 

[beemermark]

I’d look at eBay recent sold items to determine a price and then list it for sale here and / or rangefinderforum.com

 

[David Reynolds]

The M2 and that 50? $1200-$1300.

I agree with Huss. The value around $1200-$1300.(with a CLA on the lens and camera to be completed after purchase) Have you shot some film with this camera? Did you get good results? I don't think that was mentioned.

 

[film_man]

Look at ebay listings. Also look at stores and how much they would cost, you'll probably find there's not much difference. Some notes:

1. you cannot bid on your own listings on ebay. It is all sorts of suspect to bid on your own auction.
2. A store will offer 50-60% of what they would sell the item for. Given that ebay auctions close generally not that far off store prices your friend will loose a good 20-30% (accounting for ebay fees).
3. What is it worth to you? Make an offer. If the average price is (random numbers here) $2000 and you offer $1500 then your friend may decide to take it anyway. It is either $1500 hassle free or the promise of a $2000 sale that is $1700 net with the risk of the postal service smashing the camera and an unreasonable buyer returning it because this and that or some other thing you didn't notice.