AboutDavid Silver Expertise I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
Question Can you tell me what the following is worth on the open market - if anything?
Leica NR825460 and Leica Summarex NR823478. Both have orig leather cases and a book dated 1947.
Thanks,
James
Answer
Hello,
The Leica IIIf is a common, but highly regarded, 35mm couple rangefinder camera that was made by Leitz of Germany from 1950 to 1957. They sold a whopping 188,000 of them! In excellent overall condition with a decent matching Leitz 50mm normal lens, it can sell from $300 (with an Elmar or Summitar lens) up to $400 (with the superb Summicron lens). Now the Summarex is a funny thing. That's a fast portrait or short telephoto lens, the only one of its kind when it was introduced by Leitz in 1943, that they sold to a grudging public until 1960. They actually stopped making the lens in 1957, when Leitz finally released a superb 90mm f/2 lens to replace it, but they had so many left in stock that they stayed on the shelves until 1960, and those tended to sell at deep discount prices. They're not terribly sharp lenses, and they really aren't effective at the maximum f/1.5 setting, but they did the job just the same. Collectors today pay around $200 for excellent examples, and maybe $25 to $50 more if you have the odd matching hood and fitted front cap. I can't comment about the book since you didn't tell me what it is, but most Leica literature is very common (the Leica Manual, which appeared in many expanded editions, is technically a best seller with thousands and thousands out there) and has no secondary value. In general, this is a tough market for such a common Leica and extra lens, as prices seem to be on a continual downward spiral in the face of digital. Buyers are few and difficult to find. But there ARE collectors out there who I'm sure would still be willing to pay the full $500+ value on what you have, assuming it's all excellent. Good luck, and feel free to get back to me if you need anymore guidance!
