
You can certainly get a nice usable vintage Leica for $500 or less. However, you need to understand a few things before you choose one. Leitz made two different systems of 35mm rangefinder cameras.
The earlier system has a mount that accepts lenses that screw into the camera body (what we call 39mm screw mount, or LTM for Leica thread mount). They introduced this system in 1930 with the Leica I(C) model, and continued it well into the 1950's up to the classic Leica IIIg. Concurrently during the 1950's, Leitz introduced a new system that accepts lenses with a special bayonet mount (rather than screw in, the lens is placed against the mount lined up with a red dot and a quick quarter turn locks it in place).
This is known as the M bayonet system, which started with the superb Leica M3 and continues right up to the latest M8. Okay, for $500 you want to find a classic Leica that your fiance', who probably knows and appreciates the Leica mystique, can enjoy in his free time.
I'm talking hobby camera, not camera for his work, because a photojournalist today would be doing his job with the latest digital gear. No problem. You're on the right track looking at the Leica IIIf. It's a common model, with over 180,000 sold between 1950 and 1957, it accepts all the zillions of screw mount lenses Leitz made up to that time (and also early 39mm screw mount Canon, Nikon, and even many Russian made lenses), and there's always a bunch available on eBay.
I do not recommend the Leica IIIg; although it is a better camera, collectors keep it's price hovering in the $1000 range. I do not recommend some other common earlier models like the Leica III, IIIa, or IIIc; although they're equally common and readily available for less money, they are also just old enough to cause a lot of trouble and frustration. Among the screw mount models, the Leica IIIf is a great choice. Find one that work! Don't take a risk on an example that needs any sort of repair.
Look for one that has a bit of external personality (as long as there's no overt damage, a few rub marks or gentle dings are not a problem), the seller guarantees it all works, as it should. And the Leitz Summitry is a fine fast lens, but get the Elmer 5cm f3.5 instead if you can.
Forget the original box (collectors will PUSH the price for original boxes, but there's no advantage for you there), don't worry about a case (they fall apart, and they sometimes cause more damage to the camera because they hold in moisture), but do try to get a proper Leitz lens cap. This is your best bet for a usable vintage Leica in the $400-$500 range.
Now if you want to bend just a bit, and you'd like to explore those later M series cameras, you can probably get a 1960-ish Leica M2 with a superb Submicron 50mm f2 lens somewhere in the $500-$600 range. All the same thoughts apply in regards to condition, etc. The biggest advantage of the M series over the old screw mount series is that if your fiance' eventually wants to get a modern Leica (for work AND pleasure), any lenses he already has with the M2 would be interchangeable with the later camera.
The classic M3 is too desirable among collectors, the M1 has limited features, and you could consider stepping up for the M4 (actually it would have to specifically be the M4-2 because the original M4 has become quite collectible as well), but that model is the first of the "modern" designs. So there you have it, the Leica IIIf or the Leica M2, those are your best choices in your price range. Regarding your question about Leica values, in general, yes, all of them do increase in value.
The vast majority increases slightly ahead of inflation (over time, not right away), so not that terribly high, but certainly enough to equal money in the bank (and assuming you deal only in top condition). The historically significant models, and a few choice rare models, increase by much greater degrees, in some cases to the point of being ridiculous. Common models like the IIIf just seem to float along with the economy. So, in general, Leica cameras appear to be a good to excellent "investment".
About the Author:
Victor Epand is an expert consultant at http://www.UsedCameraSell.com/. Used Camera Sell is a community of various independent used camera sellers from around the world. Each used camera seller represents a unique style of products all their own. If you have used cameras to sell, click here to create a Camera Account.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Getting A Usable Vintage Camera
Tactical Rifle Scope 3-9x42 Blue Mil Dot Red Laser
![]() |
![]() Contax III II Kiev 35mm US $1,200.00
|
![]() Film Camera Rangefinder Tower type III US $500.00
|
![]() Nikon D70s 61 MP Digital SLR Camera Kit w 2 Lenses AF S DX 18 70 DX 55 200 US $250.00
|
![]() 4 Weincell battery wein cell MRB625 PX625 US $16.50
|
![]() Canon Canonet G III QL17 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera Excellent Condition NO RES US $299.99
|
![]() Agfa Isolette III 120 Rangefinder Camera US $185.00
|
![]() VINTAGE CANON GIII CANONET QL17 CAMERA US $20.50
|
![]() Linhof Technika III 4x5 Field Camera and Schneider Kreuznach Xenar 45 150 Lens US $800.00
|
![]() Canon Canonet QL17 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera US $149.99
|
![]() Vintage 35mm Film SLR Camera Lot of 8 Some Lenses Minolta SRT 101 Canon AE 1 US $29.99
|
![]() Fuji GW670 III US $795.00
|
![]() Canon G III QL Rangefinder Camera US $29.99
|
![]() Contax I II III IIa IIIa Rangefinder Camera Guide US $13.90
|
![]() Canon Canonet G III QL17 And Canon Ql19 35mm Rangefinder Film Cameras US $59.00
|
![]() NcStar Scope And Red Dot 3x 9x US $120.00
|
![]() Zeiss Olympia Sonnar 18cm 28 with Flektoskop and case US $271.77
|
![]() Zeiss Panflex Reflex Housing vers 1 with case US $238.50
|
![]() IZZO Golf Swami 1500 rangefinder GPS with 10 courses of your choice US $40.00
|
![]() Bronica Rf 645 Rangefinder package with 65 and 45 mm lenses US $405.00
|
![]() USS AUGUSTA CL31 NAVY DAY OCT27 1934 SYDNEY AUSTRALIA US $9.99
|
![]() VINTAGE LEICA IIIc 35mm RANGEFINDER CAMERA c1949 US $549.99
|
![]() Leica III Black Paint No Bottom Plate US $99.00
|
![]() CANON CANONET QL17 G III QL RANGEFINDER 35mm CAMERA US $14.95
|
![]() Nikon D2HS camera US $350.00
|
![]() Leupold RX III Rangefinder US $102.51
|
![]() FUJI GSW690 III 6X9 Professional Wide angle 120 220 camera US $1,099.00
|
![]() Original Canon camera case for II III IVSB2 series Rangefinder RF US $9.99
|
![]() Canon Canonet QL 17 GIII US $50.00
|
![]() 100 Reloading 1000 Firearm Manuals HODGON MEC ADI ALLIANT ACCURATE VIHTAVOURICD US $6.99
|
![]() NIKON D800 363 MP DIGITAL SLR CAMERA BLACK BODY ONLY US $3,870.02
|
![]() Vintage Canon Canonet QL17 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera F 17 45mm Lens US $89.95
|
![]() Contax IIIa 35mm Range Finder Camera w Zeiss Sonnar 50mm F15 Case Cap Good US $99.00
|
![]()
Fluke 77-4 Automotive Digital Multimeter
|
List Price: |
|
|
![]() |
MLCS 8357 1/2-Inch Shank Multi-Sided Glue Joint Router Bit Set, 3-Piece
Sale Price: $69.95 |
![]() |
3-9x50E Red Illuminated Range Finder Rifle Scope Gun Scope |
![]() |
Exclusive By NcSTAR NcStar Euro 3-12X50E Red Illuminated Rangefinder Scope
Sale Price: $99.34 |
![]() |
Exclusive By NcSTAR NcStar Euro 3-12X50E Red Illuminated Rangefinder Scope Silver
Sale Price: $116.74 |
![]() |
New Retro Snake Chain Neck Strap Lanyard for Cell Phone ipod Mp3 ID Badge Digital Camera PDA iPhone PSP and More
Sale Price: $11.95 |
![]() |
Nerf N-Strike Nite Finder EX-3 (Colors May Vary)
List Price: |
![]() |
Leica M6 To M1: Rangefinder Practice: 3rd Edition
List Price: |
![]() |
AfterCapture Magazine - April 2009 / May 2009: Everything After the Picture is Taken (Volume 3 Number 2)
Sale Price: $10.50 |
![]() |
ClueFinders 3rd Grade [OLD VERSION]
List Price: |
![]() |
ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: Mystery of Mathra [OLD VERSION]
List Price: |
![]() |
Apple Remote Desktop 3.2 - 10 Managed Systems [OLD VERSION]
List Price: |
![]() |
Ncstar Mark III Tactical P4 Sniper 3-9X42/Scope Adaptor Mount/Red Dot Combo Package (STP3942G/D)
List Price: |
![]() |
Energizer EL1CRBP-2 3-Volt Lithium Photo Battery (2-Pack)
List Price: |
![]() |
Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD
List Price: |
![]() |
Motorola Roadster 2 Universal Bluetooth In Car Speakerphone for Smartphones, MP3 Players, and Tablets - Silver
List Price: |
![]() |
ATC Wireless FM Transmitter Radio Adapter for iPhone 3G 16GB, 8GB,iPhone 3GS,iPod Nano,iPod Touch,iPod Classic,iPod Video,iPod 4th Gen 20GB,30GB,60GB,40GB,60GB,U2 Special Edition, 20GB, 40GB
List Price: |
![]() |
Izzo Golf Swami 3000 Enhanced Golf GPS
List Price: |
![]() |
Kike Calvo photo Illustrations Rangefinder Camera - Rangefinder Camera - Sweatshirts |



US $75.00

























































































![ClueFinders 3rd Grade [OLD VERSION]](http://www.shotrate.com/media/images/i/41BTQ17RXWL._SL75_.jpg)
![ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures: Mystery of Mathra [OLD VERSION]](http://www.shotrate.com/media/images/i/619H0BRYGCL._SL75_.jpg)
![Apple Remote Desktop 3.2 - 10 Managed Systems [OLD VERSION]](http://www.shotrate.com/media/images/i/31YHhhMn2dL._SL75_.jpg)







