I'm thinking of buying a second hand tri-elmar. I am a user/collector, so I prefer to buy a lens that hopefully will appreciate in value. Which one should I buy, Black or chrome? I've heard that chrome version is quite "rare", is it true? Anybody knows the number of chrome lenses made before it is discontinued in 2000? Thanks,

-- Alex K (zigi23@yahoo.com), March 13, 2002

Answers

500 ex. I don't know if this include the German Leica Historica version

-- Lucien (Lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), March 13, 2002.

I would expect thet you'll see a chrome version of their Tri-Elmar ver. 2 on a year or so. That's pretty much their history of black, the chrome lens introductions over the last few decades.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 13, 2002.

Alex, There are investment opportunities that are a lot better than Leica equipment but I do use that rationale to my wife . As a user, The chrome model may be a lot heavier . I found the latest black TriElmar to be superb in every way except speed, which can be compensated for by higher speed film. Good shooting

-- George L. Doolittle (geodoolitt@aol.com), March 13, 2002.

i always buy the chrome lenses, they seem much better made. since the chrome finish will not adhere to the zinc alloy of which the black lenses are made, the lens barrells of the chrome lenses are brass -- just like in the old days. this does add weight, but i like the increased heft. it makes for steadier focusing.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 13, 2002.

Alex. Don't bet on this lens ever being a collector's piece. Modern (very recent) Leica M has little chance of becoming collectible. The best you can ask for is that it retains much or most of its value over time.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), March 13, 2002.