I don't know how far Solms is from the Rhine, but I can hear the siren song of the Lorelei on the rocks.

I can get a New In Box gray market(from Malaysia in Singapore) 35 f2 Black Asph Summicron for just under $1000 USD, with all the paperwork and a warrantee from the NEW distributor here and in Malaysia-Jebsen & Jessen -NOT Schmidt.

Is it worth jumping on? I see prices at B&H on the net of about 1500. When it comes down to it, I still need some reinforcement on the price. Any comments will be graciously received and attended to.

Thanks

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richardjx@hotmail.com), November 22, 2001

Answers

The price is right. You can rarely find a used one in the US for that price. And if the dealer will warranty it, so much the better.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 22, 2001.

out of curiosity Richard, are you in Singapore or Malaysia, and what are the contact details for Jebsen & Jessen? just wonder if that is cheaper than buying in Hong Kong

-- sparkie (sparkie@mailcity.com), November 22, 2001.

Sparkie:

I am in Singapore. The store is not an authorized Leica dealer and likely gets their stuff from an associate in Johor Bahru Malaysia but J&J say they would honour the international Leica warrantee.

They are at 65 265 1221. They do not have a Passport warranttee in Asia anywhaere that I have heard of. Perhaps a longer-time resident of Asia can correct me on that.

They referred me to teh main Leica website:www.leica-camera.com, and their local one which is not specific for Leica but fore their other operations is: www.jjsea.com.

Cheers

Cheers Lah!

-- RICHARD ILOMAKI (richard.ilomaki@f,mglobal.com), November 22, 2001.

Richard, thanks for the info. All the best with your decision making. Sounds like an excellent price. Compared to UK prices it is a chunky saving. The lens costs about £895 and that is a lower than retail price (full UK import with Passport). so you're saving about $250 USD in comparison. Regards,

-- sparkie (sparkie@mailcity.com), November 23, 2001.

Is that right Richard? About Singapore Dollars 1850? I've got jump on this when I return to Singapore next week.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 23, 2001.

I am a jet-lagged idiot. I thought you mean an M6 TTL for a 1000 greenbacks.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 24, 2001.

And that was about the price of my 35 Asph from Cathay Photo in early 1999.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), November 24, 2001.