Advice required to sell used Leica cameras M3, M4, M5

lazarus_lauw · 1st February 2004

A friend of mine asked me if I know any interested buyers for her old cameras: Leica M3, M4 and M5 (3 sets altogether). Still good and in working condition. She told me these cameras are considered antique and may attract collector. I am newbie in this line and know nothing about this.

Anyone can advise her/me where to sell the camera? The cameras were inheritted from her husband who deceased 4 years ago and he was a camera hobbyest/collector.

Appreciate any advice from any one. Thank you.

dreamseeker · 1st February 2004

Hi,

You could pop down to the 2nd hand shops in the Peninsula area to check out the prices. You can check out a used condition and a mint one. This would give you an idea of the price to expect.
Or let them view the Leicas and see what they offer you.
However, the shops will definitely offer you lower than their selling price.

If not happy, you can post an ad in clubsnap or offstone for some self direct selling.

Regards.

lazarus_lauw · 2nd February 2004

Originally Posted by dreamseeker

Hi,

You could pop down to the 2nd hand shops in the Peninsula area to check out the prices. You can check out a used condition and a mint one. This would give you an idea of the price to expect.
Or let them view the Leicas and see what they offer you.
However, the shops will definitely offer you lower than their selling price.

If not happy, you can post an ad in clubsnap or offstone for some self direct selling.

Regards.

Thanks very much for your advice. The shop is in Peninzula plaza, or Peninzula hotel?

I am posting more detail of the offered camera here. Leica M3-883746 with Summilux 1:1,4/50, with leather case and leather strap. Leica M4-1232537 with various lenses. Leica M5 with leather case and leather strap, lens Summicron 1:2/35. And also 1 Rollei Camera A110.

Regards

y0gi0h · 2nd February 2004

A few points to share with you:

1. price of used Leica stuff is very much condition- dependent (both cosmetic and functional). The difference between a well used one (ie. user marks all over, even though functionally perfect) is not going to be worth much. Give you an idea: A well used M3 + 50 summilux would not be worth more than $2K but a "MINT" condition one could go up to $4K. Yes, no logic, but that's Leica.

2. Selling Leica's to those "shops" at Peninzula plaza, or Peninzula should be the last thing your friend should do. No harm going there just to check and compare their "offers" (and then you can understand how used camera shops here can still survive

3. If any of your friend is familiar with selling thing through eBay, that's the way to get good price. (I know it's not easy but if good price is expected, no choice.)

4. Also can advertise here or at offstone forum. But the no. of local buyers interested in Leica are very limited at the moment because of the digital trend. You might instead attract some bargain hunters who are even more greedy than those shops at peninzula..

By the way, if all the mentioned items are in good working order (ie. cosmetic in excellent condition, cameras all work, lens no fungus, scratches, nor haze), it should be worth at least $5K, IMHO.

Good luck!

lazarus_lauw · 2nd February 2004

Originally Posted by y0gi0h

A few points to share with you:

1. price of used Leica stuff is very much condition- dependent (both cosmetic and functional). The difference between a well used one (ie. user marks all over, even though functionally perfect) is not going to be worth much. Give you an idea: A well used M3 + 50 summilux would not be worth more than $2K but a "MINT" condition one could go up to $4K. Yes, no logic, but that's Leica.

2. Selling Leica's to those "shops" at Peninzula plaza, or Peninzula should be the last thing your friend should do. No harm going there just to check and compare their "offers" (and then you can understand how used camera shops here can still survive

3. If any of your friend is familiar with selling thing through eBay, that's the way to get good price. (I know it's not easy but if good price is expected, no choice.)

4. Also can advertise here or at offstone forum. But the no. of local buyers interested in Leica are very limited at the moment because of the digital trend. You might instead attract some bargain hunters who are even more greedy than those shops at peninzula..

By the way, if all the mentioned items are in good working order (ie. cosmetic in excellent condition, cameras all work, lens no fungus, scratches, nor haze), it should be worth at least $5K, IMHO.

Good luck!

Thanks very much for your suggestion. It is very helpful. You mention off stone forum, what is the link? Thanks again.

ed9119 · 2nd February 2004

sad to hear about your friend's husband.

Offstone is located at www.offstone.com and there are a few Leica buffs both here and over there.

Without looking at the condition of the gear listed (or even if its chrome or black paint etc ) , its really hard to ascertain a dollar value.....but assuming that her husband was indeed a collector the equiptment should be in pristine condition......have her keep all those boxes and peripherals that come together with the equiptment....they're all worth money.

This is a very vulnerable situation.... a non-photographer in posession of thousands of dollars of equiptment that look nondescript and not knowing or understanding its true value....a real ripe target.

Yes go down to Peninsula area and get quotations from the various shops .....Ron's, The Camera Workshop, Anthony's Collection, Cam-X, Alex Photo, etc etc...DONT SELL TO THE FIRST SHOP THAT OFFERS YOU A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS!

Otherwise folks like Paul Heng and Greg Choong can give you a helping hand in assaying.

Ebay is today THE place to check on used Leica prices ..... check there and come up with an average based on similar condition cameras and lenses.

Give me a PM if u need help. I wont be buying but I hate to see uninformed folks get ripped off.

ed

ckiang · 2nd February 2004

Be very careful. There are people who sold Leicas to "karung guni" type people for like $20 coz they looked antiquated, dated, old and all. Obviously the buyer is very happy with the buy. Beware!

Regards
CK

y0gi0h · 3rd February 2004

Originally Posted by ed9119

This is a very vulnerable situation.... a non-photographer in posession of thousands of dollars of equiptment that look nondescript and not knowing or understanding its true value....a real ripe target.

Yes go down to Peninsula area and get quotations from the various shops .....Ron's, The Camera Workshop, Anthony's Collection, Cam-X, Alex Photo, etc etc...DONT SELL TO THE FIRST SHOP THAT OFFERS YOU A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS!

Otherwise folks like Paul Heng and Greg Choong can give you a helping hand in assaying.

Ebay is today THE place to check on used Leica prices ..... check there and come up with an average based on similar condition cameras and lenses.

ed

What ed said. Just one note of caution: NONE of the shops mentioned gives reasonable buy-in price (ie. in cash, not trade-in) AFAIK. As ed suggested, just go check and compare but DON'T sell yet!! compare the offers with eBay average price and draw your conclusion. Yes, Greg Choong (a moderator at offstone) has done a lot of buy/sell' via eBay and he should be able to help.

lazarus_lauw · 3rd February 2004

Thanks for your helping advice, guys. They are not only really helpful, but priceless.... I really appreciate that.

I will tell her not to worry .... May God bless you all.

oteonghn · 3rd February 2004

HI
You can also get into Leica Forum. WWW.leica-camera.com

In this forum are Leica users who are crazy over Leicas. You may be able to get some tips there. There are also dealers in the US who may offer your friend a good price.

Rgds
ONG TH

Originally Posted by lazarus_lauw

Thanks for your helping advice, guys. They are not only really helpful, but priceless.... I really appreciate that.

I will tell her not to worry .... May God bless you all.

dreamseeker · 4th February 2004

Hi,

You will probably only want to sell to the shops in the Peninsula area if you don't mind getting much less $$$ and maybe less hassle.
You can give them your goods and walk away with the cash/cheque.

Private sale thru the net will require a little more time and effort but you will get more $$$.

lazarus_lauw · 12th November 2004

Originally Posted by dreamseeker

Hi,

You will probably only want to sell to the shops in the Peninsula area if you don't mind getting much less $$$ and maybe less hassle.
You can give them your goods and walk away with the cash/cheque.

Private sale thru the net will require a little more time and effort but you will get more $$$.

Hello,

I have checked at one shop at Peninzula Plaza (this shop sells used camera, others don't as I look at the window display), but sadly they do not want this models.

I do not know if this camera is still worth selling. I am not familiar with these stuffs, and also ebay. But I have made the pictures and post it here:

http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/forsales/index.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/forsales/rollei_35s.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/forsales/rollei_a110.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/jazz/forsales/canon_at.htm

If anyone wants to buy these stuffs (all at once preferred), please give me your best offer. Please send me private mail.

Thanks and God bless you all.

1st February 2004	#1
lazarus_lauw New Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 27	Advice required to sell used Leica cameras M3, M4, M5 A friend of mine asked me if I know any interested buyers for her old cameras: Leica M3, M4 and M5 (3 sets altogether). Still good and in working condition. She told me these cameras are considered antique and may attract collector. I am newbie in this line and know nothing about this. Anyone can advise her/me where to sell the camera? The cameras were inheritted from her husband who deceased 4 years ago and he was a camera hobbyest/collector. Appreciate any advice from any one. Thank you.

2nd February 2004	#4
y0gi0h Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 116	prices of used Leica M cameras A few points to share with you: 1. price of used Leica stuff is very much condition- dependent (both cosmetic and functional). The difference between a well used one (ie. user marks all over, even though functionally perfect) is not going to be worth much. Give you an idea: A well used M3 + 50 summilux would not be worth more than $2K but a "MINT" condition one could go up to $4K. Yes, no logic, but that's Leica. 2. Selling Leica's to those "shops" at Peninzula plaza, or Peninzula should be the last thing your friend should do. No harm going there just to check and compare their "offers" (and then you can understand how used camera shops here can still survive 3. If any of your friend is familiar with selling thing through eBay, that's the way to get good price. (I know it's not easy but if good price is expected, no choice.) 4. Also can advertise here or at offstone forum. But the no. of local buyers interested in Leica are very limited at the moment because of the digital trend. You might instead attract some bargain hunters who are even more greedy than those shops at peninzula.. By the way, if all the mentioned items are in good working order (ie. cosmetic in excellent condition, cameras all work, lens no fungus, scratches, nor haze), it should be worth at least $5K, IMHO. Good luck! Last edited by y0gi0h; 2nd February 2004 at 01:27 PM.

1st February 2004	#2
dreamseeker Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 354	Hi, You could pop down to the 2nd hand shops in the Peninsula area to check out the prices. You can check out a used condition and a mint one. This would give you an idea of the price to expect. Or let them view the Leicas and see what they offer you. However, the shops will definitely offer you lower than their selling price. If not happy, you can post an ad in clubsnap or offstone for some self direct selling. Regards.

2nd February 2004	#6
ed9119 Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Singapaore Posts: 1,624	sad to hear about your friend's husband. Offstone is located at www.offstone.com and there are a few Leica buffs both here and over there. Without looking at the condition of the gear listed (or even if its chrome or black paint etc ) , its really hard to ascertain a dollar value.....but assuming that her husband was indeed a collector the equiptment should be in pristine condition......have her keep all those boxes and peripherals that come together with the equiptment....they're all worth money. This is a very vulnerable situation.... a non-photographer in posession of thousands of dollars of equiptment that look nondescript and not knowing or understanding its true value....a real ripe target. Yes go down to Peninsula area and get quotations from the various shops .....Ron's, The Camera Workshop, Anthony's Collection, Cam-X, Alex Photo, etc etc...DONT SELL TO THE FIRST SHOP THAT OFFERS YOU A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS! Otherwise folks like Paul Heng and Greg Choong can give you a helping hand in assaying. Ebay is today THE place to check on used Leica prices ..... check there and come up with an average based on similar condition cameras and lenses. Give me a PM if u need help. I wont be buying but I hate to see uninformed folks get ripped off. ed

2nd February 2004	#7
ckiang Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 6,597	Be very careful. There are people who sold Leicas to "karung guni" type people for like $20 coz they looked antiquated, dated, old and all. Obviously the buyer is very happy with the buy. Beware! Regards CK

3rd February 2004	#9
lazarus_lauw New Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 27	Thanks for your helping advice, guys. They are not only really helpful, but priceless.... I really appreciate that. I will tell her not to worry .... May God bless you all.

4th February 2004	#11
dreamseeker Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 354	Hi, You will probably only want to sell to the shops in the Peninsula area if you don't mind getting much less $$$ and maybe less hassle. You can give them your goods and walk away with the cash/cheque. Private sale thru the net will require a little more time and effort but you will get more $$$.