lens prices rising...

[HuubL]

I was shocked to see how the price of second-hand classic lenses is rising. Just looked around at KEH. Their UG rigid summicron is $750, BGN $1000 and more. Even BGN 90mm Elmarits cost over $450. eBay the same. I remember they were around $200 less than a year ago. What's up....? Everybody buying Leica glass suddenly?

[rover]

It has been this way for months. Prices are currently at an all time high (as far as I know).

[back alley]

gas is up
groceries are up

why should lenses be any different?

[rover]

Lots of I should haves based on the current prices. Bargains on lenses are fewer and much far between bargains on M bodies.

[jarski]

many theories. dollar devaluation, Chinese buying crazy, popularity of M9..

[Vickko]

Not matter that prices are up, you can't even find lenses for sale.

[HuubL]

Question is, is that good for us RFF'rs or is it bad? More interest in RFs = more interest in film (perhaps), but if all the nice hardware is leaving, what's left for us?

[ZeissFan]

It seems that prices for lenses in many mounts are rising, just not Leica.

I think some of it is due to the mirrorless bodies. High-speed lenses seem to be rising the fastest, even in orphaned mounts such as the Rollei/Voigtlander QBM.

[steelydam]

Originally Posted by ZeissFan

I think some of it is due to the mirrorless bodies.

I have been thinking the same thing. I just got a Sony NEX; if I didn't see someone here on RFF talking about putting Contax
G lenses on theirs, I would have never even bothered to pay attention to this camera. The ability to put all kinds of different lens mounts on it is huge.

[ZeissFan]

A guy at work has the Panasonic G1 and GF1, and he has adapters for Nikon and Olympus Pen glass. He's showed me some of his photos, and I was impressed with what he showed me, particularly the ones taken with the Olympus Pen lenses.

[Steve M.]

As the amount of classic lenses is finite, and their total number is getting smaller from attrition, the prices will continue to rise. That, along w/ the fact that some camera makers now make bodies that are specifically designed to accept those classic lenses. So, more cameras, combined w/ less lenses, equals higher prices.

[Gary E]

The mirrorless conection may be so for the price increases, but like someone else mentioned you can't even find new ones.

So if you don't already have what you need now, you probably won't see it for some time (in your camera bag that is).

[Rob-F]

The price rise even extends to the Leica R glass. I've been selling off my R glass for more than I paid for it, some 10 to 15 years ago. But it's hard to sell an R body unless it has a lens attached. I think the buyers are converting the lenses for use on Canon and Nikon bodies.

[adamjohari]

I think the prices will go back to average soon. I posted a lens on the classifieds, it's still there, for what I think is an excellent price and no one took a bite. O_O

Adam

[dogberryjr]

It's spread to all kinds of lenses now—here's a Hexanon UC offered at $2199! eBay item: 270773656993

[Dr Gaspar]

A 1950' Elmarit M 90mm goes for 500$ here. Half the price of a new X100.

A little too much.

[trph_2000]

With regard to Leica,it is very difficult to find almost any new lens with the exception of the Summarits, and even they are becoming more difficult. I think that Leica will direct more of their manufacturing capability to the
lenses that are easiest to produce, such as the new 21 and 24 mm slower lenses and the 35mm Summicron. The fast lenses require more bench time and hand testing and will be made in limited quantities. Very difficult to get a new 35 Summilux Asph II or 0.95 Noctilux.

[tbarker13]

Looks like a lot of sellers are sort of prospecting - tossing their gear out there at inflated prices and hoping for the best. Definitely not a great time to be a buyer.

[hipsterdufus]

I agree with Double Negative. Don't feed into the frenzy. If there's a focal length you *must* have, I would consider the Zeiss, Canon, CV, and Nikon alternatives before committing to Leica. We are lucky that there are at least a few other manufacturers to consider in the lens market.

[maddoc]

I just wonder why prices in Tokyo`s well known camera shops have been stable ...

[randolph45]

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/pho/2468690760.htm
lhttp://sacramento.craigslist.org/pho/2470694864.html
and another 2

[dogberryjr]

Originally Posted by hipsterdufus

I agree with Double Negative. Don't feed into the frenzy.

I'm not certain what impact an RFF embargo might have; I suspect we are minor players in the big scheme. I have a de facto embargo happening anyway, it's called low bank balance.

[jsrockit]

There has to be a supply shortage of some material...because it isn't only leica or zeiss that has been affected.

[dcsang]

People keep forgetting that Leica, as a company, is not the size of Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Fuji etc. etc. etc. - I do not know for a fact but I can guess (as many are here already) that they're having a tough enough time keeping up demand for M9's and M9-P's plus any film cameras that they're making (M7 & MP a la cartes as well as "regular" bodies).

So, with that in mind, any used lenses out there that go up for sale now command a premium... combine that with Leica's "usual" price increase on their new lenses and the used lenses now go up in price... not an easy pill to swallow but that's what you get for dealing with the red dot

Cheers,
Dave

[smt]

Thanks. Very interesting, informative, and helpful thread!

I had considered selling an M2 in 2007 and didn't bother after seeing the prices. Today I checked ebay and was shocked to see how much higher the prices are.

I have 2 M2's (with self timer) and an M6. Both M-2's have the quick load spool and rapid rewind crank. Don't need both M2's.

Lenses - I only use the 35 mm /f2 summicron. Never use the 50/f2 summicron and after reading this thread decided I should sell that too. I have the 90/f2.8 elmarit which I'll probably keep.

Wondering, though, how much higher the prices will go if I hold on to it for another 4 years since it'll be even more scarce then but don't think it makes sense.

So - now all I have to do is take some pix and decide where to list it. Thanks again for everyone's insights.