|
Camera collecting is
a very hard to explain phenomenon I would assume most collectors are photographers
- or at least, had developed a keen interest in photography before prior hooking
on in such a luxurious interest. Possibly most collectors began from couldn't find
extra time to pursue further in their respective photographic journal and slowly
generate in a interest in camera/lens collecting. Such inner passion can be hard
to digest by photographers in why owning such a beauty in possession and yet not
making any attempt to bring out its best as a imaging tool. I guess one of the reason
was being, you will realize the Xtra-premium it has on the hardware if it has preserved
its originality. There is no doubt that it requires financially stable to get into
the top camera/lenses league but it is hard to imagine a good collector had not had
any interest in photography - rare but not in majority group. I am not trying to
grease anyone, but it does take a tasteful personality to target what he intends
to collect. A good example is given below over why a well preserved hardware can
fetch extraordinary premium over a used item. Premium is all about rarity
+ condition.
M3 black paint Single Stroke, approx. Year: 1964
Description in auction literature and see how in the
eyes of a neutral party in used , collectors market perspective (extracted from Leicashop® auction":-
" ... Here is a black paint M3 in 100% as - new original condition, technically
perfect, still L-sealed, with a matching mint black paint Summilux 1.4/50mm as well
as a lens hood 12521G and a M3 box without serial number. This camera is the most
perfect unrestored black painted M3 in original condition we have ever seen. A unique
opportunity!...". The rated condition of the camera is "A". With
a late serial number for M3 black 109779x. The start Price for the auction is already
priced at EUR 9.000-00; while the hammer price reaches an astonishing EURO 38.125-00 !
* NOTE;- Indicative price here in this site were based original
prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according
to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other renewed valuation
methods.
|
|
Next issue is, when
combine rarity with extraordinary premium of a mechanize often attracts some attention
to replicate - or fake to be the exact. we have seen faked high price collectibles
of MP models in the used market before. Camera with one-level
down could also see some ill-minded genious-at-work at the backward. With all the
relevant information readily available to the ill-intended, this could help to encourage
new/unseasoned entry collectors. IS counterfeiting cameras difficult > ? YES &
cost could be high if assuming it is made from scratch and hard to get the right
feel of an original. We have seen replicas of Zeiss Contax, or Leica copies everywhere
during the difficult times after the war. But it is not impossible trying to make
something a like from other readily available and cheaper from similar models. Here
is a top class work - it is NOT
a fake - as long as it had been
mentioned w/no intention to cheat.
M3 Black Paint, converted from a Chrome M3
A very beautiful conversion by a former Leitz employee, a chrome body was converted using
original black paint parts (black paint top plate and all still available other parts),
chrome lugs, some parts from M4, the camera is in perfect working order and in near
mint condition, with black Summicron 2/50mm. Don't be surprised. This converted M3
Black, despite was not an original M3 black but probably as a form of acknowledgment
of its high quality conversion "craftsmanship", it can still fetch a very
good premium at a hammer price of EURO 2,160-00* in an open auction.
* NOTE;- Indicative price here in this site were based original
prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary according
to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other renewed valuation
methods.
The illustrations below carry a good intention at times, it is always safer to trade
with reputable outlets rather than thinking you had just got a bargain of the century,
it might end up with coughing blood later..hehe.
|
|
M3 black paint Single Stroke w/S/N 9188XX
Can anyone explain what is
"TYPE 1" in this Leica M3 black paint version as stated by the online Auctioneer
Photo Arsenal@Ebay ? I have provided two explosive views for you to help me to add
more info in this topic. I guess probably it was refering to M3 Double Stroke Model
as the rabbit ears were still the old-style design. As the S/N is approaching 1 milllion
mark, just wish to get a firm answer.
|
previous | Part 1
| Part 2 | Part 3
/ Case study on Prices |
Part 4
| Leica M3 Index Page | M3
Nomenclature |
Main Index Page
Leica-M Series Rangefinder camera Models
Visual Library on Leica M3 Prototype, 1952; Leica M3 Test model, 1953/4 | A photo showcase on early series
of Leica M3 DS bodies:- Leica M3-700131
/ M3-700170 / M3-700000/M3-70031x/M3-70051x | M3 double
stroke chrome 1954~1957 bodies:- Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4; Leica M3 Single
Stroke 1957~60/1961~66
| Leica M3 Black Paint:-1955/1958/1962~1964/66 / Case study on Prices | Leica
M3 ELC, 1955/56
Other Leica M3 Variants:- Leica M3 chrome Leica-Technik 57
1954; Leica M3
GOLD Edition, 1956 | Leica M3 DS United Nation Edition, 1957 | Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum outfit 1957/ Olive Green Bundeseigentum outfit, 1959 (2 Parts) w/info on high quality M3 Olive Conversion | Leica M3 Betriebskamera/ Betriebsk 1960
| Leica M3 Royal
Dutch Marine Periscope Model,
1966 | Leica M3
Dummies / Riesen-Mode (Giant scale Model); Leica M3 Cutaway Display Unit , 1954
Recommended External Link:
Leica FAQ
| Leica M3 Instruction Manual 1) Location 1 (1.35mb PDF) by Joe Chan; Location 2 (1.2mb PDF) by M.Butkus < Mike@bukus.org>; Leica FAQ
| Serial Number Ref. (Cameraquest):
LSM lenses 1923/1965 | Leica M 1954/1999/Leica M/R-mount RF/SLRs Serial Number ; Leica
M-lens coding PDF (84k) download (Leica, AG); Leica Camera/Leitz Lenses S/N check (requires registration) at
Owners Support@LEICA camera, AG
LEICA MP-Specific
models/variants - Visual Profiles on selective Leica bodies:- Leica MP Prototype, 1955 | MP Betriebsk w/Electric Motor, 1956 | Leica MP-88/MP-150
Black paint, 1957 | Leica MP-167; Leica MP-171/MP-313/old/new
Leicavit visual, 1957 | Leica MP 367 & 368
Dual, 1957 | Leica
MP-375, MP-368 &
MP-386 | Leica MP 'Edition Hermès', 2003 |
Leica MP Betriebsk
0.72x | Evential production model MP 0.72x Black
paint, 2002 | Leica MP classic Kit Set 1 /
Set 2 | Leica MP chrome 0.58X(2 parts) | Leica MP Black Lacquer 0.58x | Leica MP Black Lacquer 0.72x Standard | Leica MP 0.85x
Finder Mag. model | Leica MP Anthracite* Limited Edition Set |
Leica MP LHSA 1968~2003 Special Edition Grey Hammertone Finish (3 parts) | Brief Introduction on Leica à la carte:- Leica
MP Red
Leather 0.85 / Nappa racing Green Leather 0.58X | Others:- Visual case study on counterfeit LEICA MP
; Leica MP Prototype w/Prototype Leicavit-M; Leica MP-3 LHSA;
Leica
MP TITAN, 2007
| Leica MP Nomenclature | Leica MP Instruction manual (1MB PDF) |
Technical Specification (96k PDF)
|
Main Index Page
Leica-M Series Rangefinder camera Models
| Message Board | lenses | Message Board | RF cameras
about this site
|
Credit: Images courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights
reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer. Credit: Images of the last two Leica M3 Black Paint, Type 1 courtesy
of Photo_Arsenal-Worldwide® Germany. The Company also maintains an active
EBAY Store, trading many used and new photo equipment of various labels.
Photo Arsenal can be contacted at Photo Arsenal Boris Jamchtchik, Altenfurter Str.16a
90475 Nuernberg Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 911/ 4008081 E-Mail: ebayshop@arsenal-photo.com.
Arsenal has a office in Hong Kong, headed by Evan Wong. Address is: Ting Shan East
Selling-Office Unit 210, 2/f., Mirror Tower, 61 Mody Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong Phone:
+ 852/23126690 , fax. +852/23126691.Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.
Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
|
