I'm getting back into photography and have used Nikon SLRs in the past. I have a Leica M4P with a 35mm F2 lens that I bought new in the early '80s and it's perfect -- think I shot two rolls of film when I got it. It's been stored since. I'm debating -- do I start shooting with it and risk some wear, lowering the value, or after this many years should I keep it stored, retaining the value?

-- scott schneider (saschneider@qwest.net), March 21, 2002

Answers

Scot, have you been admiring it all these years and do you intend to do the same for the next 10 years? Else, sell it in Ebay and make a small profit so you may use it to fund the M7 (something for a change?). You need to know if you're a Leica collector or a user, else the answer is pretty clear.

-- Greg (greg_choong@yahoo.com), March 21, 2002.

Scott:

Personally, I would use it. I have a 90 Elmar 3 element that would sell for $700+, but the lens is small and I enjoy it. If sold, I would get the $'s and buy another lens, but of what quality. If in doubt, buy another user body and see if the rangefinder is what you like. In either case, shoot some film and see what you like.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logical1@catholic.org), March 21, 2002.

Scott-

To relieve your anxiety I will happily trade you a nicely beat up M4- 2 with M4-P windows and a very nice 35mm Summaron M (brings up 35mm. frame) for your M4-P and (fourth version ?) new Summicron! >g<.

Seriously- Keep the lens, it is the best. Ebay the body and use the proceeds to buy a nice user M6 classic and a bunch of film.

Adam

-- adam g. lang (aglang@hotmail.com), March 21, 2002.

Show of hands who have sold Leica gear and regretted it later?

I would keep the M4-P and 35/f2. It's basically a new camera still right? Take it out of storage and go burn some film!

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), March 21, 2002.

Yeah, I traded in my old 35 'lux for the Asph version. Have just got hold of another one and will sell the new lens on.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), March 21, 2002.

trade (or sell) your m4-p and get a nice ex++ m4. much better camera and you won't worry about scratching a collector's item.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), March 21, 2002.

The M4-P even in condition mentioned is not really a "hot item" sought after by most serious collectors. This camera needs to be used. I hope that you took it out of the closet every now and then and exercised the shutter. If you want a collector's item try and find a black paint M-4 from the late 60's vintage in "mint" condition. You might have to take out a second mortgage if you find one. Go burn some film....

-- F. William Baker (atelfwb@aol.com), March 21, 2002.

Hey Adam, where'd ya get the 35 Summaron (that brings up the 35mm frame lines)? Is it a bugeye convert? If so, see the recent Chris Chen post about frame/cam modification for future ex-bugeye lenses, and post a response. Thanks!

-- John Layton (john.layton@valley.net), March 21, 2002.

My Summaron is not a bugeye convert, it is the 11305 (SOONC-MT) introduced in 1958 for the M2, lens # 1594103.

-- adam g. lang (aglang@hotmail.com), March 21, 2002.