are any r bodies or lenses collectible, other than the 50 year and jesse owens? if not, why not? supply/demand i guess.

-- steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002

Answers

Steve: The 35-70mm F/2.8 is probably on the top of the list. Only about 200 or so (depending on whom you speak to) were produced and immediately sold. Some have changed hands at over $9000. Newton Camera had one several months ago for $10,000!!!

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), May 16, 2002.

ah, dr knapp, but what about in the future?

35-70, 2.8? what is so special about this formulation? easy to design.

rarity does not necessarilly transmit to demand.

-- steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002.

Steve: I concede the point but a true Leica collector does not really care about the design but more about the rarity of the lens produced. I am sure that Leica will eventually find a better (read as more economical) way to design a 35-70mm F/2.8 but this will be a "different" model and have no bearing on the value of the original model. By the way, please call me Albert.

-- Albert Knapp MD (albertknappmd@mac.com), May 16, 2002.

One would think that the R62 was a collectible for the prices people are asking. I think mint SLIIs will eventually reach some level of collecibility. They are such beautiful machines.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 16, 2002.

I would expect the R6 and R6.2 to become collector items one day, but don't hold your breath!

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), May 16, 2002.

black enamel Leicaflex Standard
21mm f/3.4 Super-Angulon-R
45-90 f/2.8 Angenieau-R (or however it's spelled)
mint chrome SL2

-- Douglas Herr (telyt@earthlink.net), May 16, 2002.

Black Leicaflex (not SL) and chrome SL2's command a premium due to their rarity. There was a single platinum-plated R6 made (I believe) for the King of Thailand. Aztec and Safari R3 sets, if they are mint and complete, garner some collector interest. The early chrome 1-cam lenses also tend to attract collector attention. Chrome R3's are also scarce and therefore sell for more than the black ones. R4SP (R4 MOD2 in Europe)are sought after, but more by users than collectors because legend has it they are more reliable than the R4 and R4S. I believe the R6 and R6.2 will also become sought after by users because the M7 virtually guarantees Leica will never produce another mechanical-shutter R body, but they will never be collectible because they are too plentiful. Oddly, if any R body were to become collectible it would probably be the R-E, produced for only 2 years alongside the R5 and never selling well.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 16, 2002.

R4SP (R4 MOD2 in Europe)are sought after, but more by users than collectors because legend has it they are more reliable than the R4 and R4S

In my experience the R4sP and R4s are equally reliable but the R4sP is more usable because the manual shutter speeds are visible in the viewfinder, the dials and such are better-protected from dust and rain, and (a biggie for me) the mode switch and exposure compensation are idiot-proofed.

-- Douglas Herr (telyt@earthlink.net), May 16, 2002.

Out of curiosity, Douglas - I get the impression you favor the SL and/or SL2. They are beautiful cameras, no doubt. They strike me as "the Alpa build that made sense". But batteries are a pain in the butt, and metering is slow, if not insensitive (by today's standards). I can only conclude you favor them because of their reliability and straight-forward design. True? Or am I making the wrong assumption?

-- Ken (kennyshipman@aol.com), May 16, 2002.

>35-70, 2.8? what is so special about this formulation? easy to >design. rarity does not necessarilly transmit to demand. >-- steve (leitz_not_leica@hotmail.com), May 16, 2002

But not easy or cheap to produce. Leica had a hell of a time making these. I heard they never broke even on them. In manufacturing they encountered similar problems as when they made the first 35mm lux ASPH for the M. Only this is also a zoom lens. Maybe they learned a few things from the production of the lux and will give the 35-70/2.8 another try.

feli

-- feli (feli2@earthlink.net), May 17, 2002.

I think the two most collectible items are the chrome 50mm and 35mm lenses made for the original leicaflex. From memory less than 200 were made. I have seen them sell easily in Germany for USD2,000 each. In fact the rubber hood for the 35mm went in one morning for USD300!

-- Mark Eban (markeban@compuserve.com), May 17, 2002.

Gold R4

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), May 17, 2002.

I get the impression you favor the SL and/or SL2.... I can only conclude you favor them because of their reliability and straight- forward design. True? Or am I making the wrong assumption?

You're right about the battery and metering issues, though the slow response of the CdS cells isn't much of a problem. I like the ergonomic design, the indestructible construction, the stepless mechanical shutter and above all else the viewfinder. The R8's viewfinder is widely (and rightfully) praised for it's brightness, clarity, and easy focussing but the SL is better if the camera is in good condition.

telyt@earthlink.net), May 17, 2002.

Oskra Barnack centenary gold R3

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), May 18, 2002.