What is it about LTMs?

neil gowlland · 04-01-2006

I have just looked at a CLA'd IIIF black dial with (I believe uncoated) 3.5 5cm Elmar in a shop in Geneva. It's in really excellent condition - hardly any signs of usage - and is going for CHF 1990 (about EUR 1285 and I suppose the CLA is worth around EUR 250, maybe more in Switzerland).

I haven't held an LTM since, I think, the late 1950s (my father had one though I am not sure what model). What an incredible camera! But I've just bought an M3 and uncoated Summar. They join the M2, 35mm Summilux, 50mm Summicron and 90 Tele-Elmarit my father bought in 1964 (I share the M2 with our son and have never got on with 35mm lenses). So, objectively, I can't justify a third Leica, even if I had the spare cash.

What do I do? Go back to the shop for a weekly drool session? Sell the 90mm 2.8 "fat" Tele-Elmarit? It's the very rare chrome version in very good condition indeed. The going rate (in Europe) seems to be EUR 1100 or more. I'm anyway thinking of doing so to buy an uncoated 9cm 4 Elmar.

Anybody want to buy a Tele-Elmarit to finance a GAS attack and prevent weekly drool sessions?

FrankS · 04-01-2006

Hi Neil, I share your attraction to screwmount cameras. The one you are looking at is quite pricey, undoubtedly due to its super condition. You can satisfy your desire for a lot less money if you can live with a camera that shows some character.

Brian Sweeney · 04-01-2006

That is very pricey; but I know things in Europe go for a lot more.

In the US, the camera and lens would be about 1/2 that price. And in rare instances, about 1/10th.

A IIIg would run at the price mentioned.

laptoprob · 04-01-2006

Well, I got my IIf for 77 euros ex shipping. She's not a III so that may be the reason for my lucky buy!
Not everything is more expensive in Europe. Some people ask rediculous prices everywhere.

Ronald M · 04-01-2006

It is about double what it should be. I`m on my second screw mount, 111f and now a 111c. They both needed new curtains and both required two tries to stop the streaking in sky areas. I finally found a guy in Georga who can repair the curtains properly.

Something causes the curtains to be deteriorated on every one I see. I bought these because they are mint on the outside. The 111f was $400 and the 111c was $500 with a mintish Summitar. The repairs were about $200 each.

Nice toys if you can get them working right.