Help Needed - Old Cameras / Lens - Leitz Wetzlar & Leica &

[mtelliott]

I volunteered to assist our neighbor, she's been like a second grandma to my kids, to help her inventory her deceased husbands cameras. He was a professional photographer and had his own magazine here in Colorado (bull / horse riding) I believe.

I'm way over my head. These cameras date back to when cameras and lens only came from Germany so at the time they were extremely expensive and top of the line. Now, I'm not sure how to find out if they are worth anything.

Anyone know who I should turn to for information? I just want to make sure she (1) understands the value of each and (2) get's that value. It's taken her a couple of years to part with them therefore they have a lot of sentimental value. I'm just interested in getting an honest appraisal to start. She doesn't trust many folks.

Michael

[Scott Douglas]

Michael - Take a look over here:

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/

I think you'll find the lenses are worth more than the cameras, depending on the models she has.

Ebay SOLD auctions will give a pretty good indication of value also.

PM me if you want more help.

[Hockey fan]

That specific camera body tends to sell in the $3-400 range.

Did he also shoot with 4x5 cameras or mainly 35mm?

Are there negatives too?

[MRM]

Old Leica cameras and lenses continue to be highly collectible, even with current digital technology. The lenses will be more valuable because people still use them because the quality of the old glass is so high. They still fit on digital cameras, the only difference is that you have to focus manually. With the quality of old lenses being so high and the cost of new Leica lenses being so expensive, there is a market for old lenses for people who want to use them with modern cameras. The cameras even have a niche market for enthusiasts who want to use them.

[RWebb]

That is an SLR, not a rangefinder.

Not sure if they still make the SL2 but it is not real old.

Go to KEH and see what they are selling for - maybe a few hundred?

To "get rid of it quickly" sell it to KEH.

To get real $$ for it, try selling it on a Leica site or on a site with high zoot amateurs and pros, like fredmiranda.com (they will charge to sell).

[MRM]

Wikipedia has a good article on the SL series. The SL 2 was the most recent model and is apparently highly collectible. The factory still offers service to upgrade the lenses for use in autofocus cameras. It is also the last fully mechanical camera Leica made from the mid 1970s until 1996, so it has some cachet. Fully mechanical is better for an older camera because it means the camera is more durable and can be repaired.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicaflex_/_SL_/_SL2

[OK-944]

I'm a "semi-retired" pro photographer...and have owned and used about 30 Leicas over the years - rangefinders (M-2,3,4,5,6) and SLR's (SL's, SL-2's, R-3, 4, 6, and R-8's). Great cameras and stunning optics! Still have an M-6 and older (circa 1953) 3-F with a few lenses. At this point I shoot mainly with large format (4x5 through 11x14) film cameras which I design and build.

Do understand that if you are selling to a dealer you will typically realize about .40 on the dollar, but a bit higher than this (up to .60 on the dollar) with KEH. So if you are wanting to sell outright with the least amount of hassle, I'd go with KEH. Stan Tamarkin is another who might give a reasonable return.

The thing with the SL's and SL-2's - the focussing screens can tend to separate...and the PX-625 batteries (for the light meters) are no longer available but there are reasonably accurate replacements available.

IMHO, the Leicaflex SL and SL-2 represented the absolute apex of "old world" quality and craftsmanship, as did the M-2's, 3's, and 4's. We will not see the likes of these cameras again. In fact, Leitz lost money on every SL-2 they manufactured and sold. Simply stunning machines...analogous to a well kept Porsche!

[RWebb]

are the focussing screens replaceable?

most Nikons could be done in the field

[RWebb]

your neighbor who has been like a second grandma to my kids, and has a camera with a lot of sentimental value - might enjoy having you buy the camera from her as a gift to your kids

she can retain some of the sentimental value that way and it will have an effect on the kids too

[mtelliott]

Wow. Did I ask the right question. Thank you.

I believe there is at least one large format camera, this was just her first load. I did a quick inventory to see what I have in my possession and will be printing off the information you shared with her this week.

This is what she has given me so far. Not sure if any of it makes sense. But will be doing the research on the sites you all suggested. Thank you so very much for the assistance.

[Scott Douglas]

That is quite the list.
Are all the items in the same condition as the camera pictured?

[nota]

japan loves and pays top dollar for that stuff

at camera shows there would at least one booth buying Leicas for japan

[MRM]

Wow. Your neighbor has the long hood version of cameras and equipment. Here's a link that you can use for comparison. https://www.leicashop.com/common/en

Another: https://www.keh.com/shop/cameras/digital-cameras/leica.html

[Bill Douglas]

Where's Peter (SC_rufctr) when you need him. He knows about this stuff.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by mtelliott

Wow. Did I ask the right question. Thank you.

I believe there is at least one large format camera, this was just her first load. I did a quick inventory to see what I have in my possession and will be printing off the information you shared with her this week.

This is what she has given me so far. Not sure if any of it makes sense. But will be doing the research on the sites you all suggested. Thank you so very much for the assistance.

All good gear. With a bit of luck you may be able to find someone who will buy the lot.

This is my daily beater... M6 TTL.

[Starless]

I just recently went through pretty much the same thing as this. I had years of cameras and lenses that I had collected and was no longer using and decided to sell. I got quotes from KEH, Tamarkin, Adorama, name it. They all quoted me roughly 30% of what they were selling the same item for. I think Tamarkin was a bit higher. If you only had a couple of items and just wanted to get rid of them, then i would say go with one of them, but you, or should I say she, has possibly thousands of dollars worth of equipment. I went with ebay and couldn't believe the prices I got for the equipment. Especially, Leica and Rollei. High end items, especially lenses, went for good money and sold easily. The only problem is going to be, who is going to open an account, photograph the items, check them out to be sure they still work, check the lenses for fungus or hazing, do the apertures close down, is there any oil on the blades, do they focus properly, etc. Setting a price isn't too difficult, check the same item in the sold column and you get a pretty good idea of what they'll bring and start the bidding somewhere below the selling price and let them bid for 5 or 7 days. I got the shipping boxes free from USPS. The other thing she needs to do is be more specific with the items description. Lens/Leica is not enough. You need to look at the lens, usually around the front element and write all that down. For example Leica Leitz Elmar 9c f4. You'll see all you need right on the lens. Also if its screw mount or bayonet. If all this is more than you two want to do or if it's just beyond your ability, maybe look into one of those places that sells on ebay for you and charges a percentage. If she just wants it gone, then by all means KEH or Tamarkin may be the way to go.
Somebody may have another idea, but from past experience ebay was the most profitable for me.

[mtelliott]

Thank you all. Your information is excellent.

I just got off the phone with her telling about all your insights. She just relayed about all the other stuff she has. She rattled off a bunch of names for the large format stuff that he had so I'm going to have my work cut out for me to start moving all of it. It's going to take months.

I'm going to do the research to find out what it's worth, then give her an inventory list and let her decide if she wants to put in on ebay (through me) or hold onto it.

I'll be doing this for the next 6 months. May need to set up a quick studio just to start taking pictures of all of it.

[mtelliott]

Some of the large format names are Sinar and Hasselblad. Don't know what specific ones, will probably get those on the next load.

[Scott Douglas]

Good on you for helping her out Michael.
I would suggest you set up a cleaning operation also.
70% IPA, cotton swaps/Q-tips, a nice soft paint brush, possibly a can of air but a hand powered blower would be better for the cameras IMO. If the rest are anything like what you pictured you should clean them off so they look decent. Nothing more than getting the dust off and swabbing with an IPA dipped Q-tip to get any grime off should do it. Then wipe down with a micro fiber towel.
Doesn't have to be perfect but when you take the pictures you'll know if they're clean enough.
The camera, even the one in your phone, can see things your eyes can't.