AJD
newbie
Reged: 08/07/2009
Posts: 2
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Having just recently become the proud owner of a leica iiif BD, I've become curious to know what a similar camera might have cost in the UK when it was originally purchased new.
According to the serial number, my example was made during 1951. So any information on UK prices for new Leica iiif's in 1951 would be very interesting !
Does anyone have any ideas ?
Thanks in advance ....
Alan.
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JonD
journeyman
Reged: 18/01/2008
Posts: 76
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I just happen to have a copy of the November 3rd 1954 edition of AP on the shelf, which is there or thereabouts. A Leica IIIF with f3.5 Elmar used would cost about £125-135 from most of the Old Bond St shops. Brand new, not sure if I can find any pricing in this copy.
Hope this helps
JD
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Malcolm_Stewart
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 11/07/2005
Posts: 4460
Loc: Milton Keynes, UK
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And now all you need is this Inflation Reckoner to tell you that it was roughly equivalent to £3000 in today's money.
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Malcolm Stewart
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AJD
newbie
Reged: 08/07/2009
Posts: 2
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Thanks Guys,
That was exactly the question that intrigued me ... what was the camera worth, in equavalent terms today, back in 1951.
Amazing !!
Many thanks for your help.
Alan.
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parisian
Over the hill and far away...
Reged: 10/02/2002
Posts: 9299
Loc: Môn mam cymru
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Not far off body and lens price now then - inflation, what inflation? 
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Hells pensioner - born to be mild
JustMono
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TimF
Taking it strictly
Reged: 30/07/2001
Posts: 18965
Loc: Herts/Beds border
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Quote:
I just happen to have a copy of the November 3rd 1954 edition of AP on the shelf, which is there or thereabouts. A Leica IIIF with f3.5 Elmar used would cost about £125-135 from most of the Old Bond St shops. Brand new, not sure if I can find any pricing in this copy.
Hope this helps
JD
Thank God for that. I spent a while yesterday trying to find whether Ivor Matanle had mentioned any prices in his writings, without success. Then this morning I visited a local s/h book dealer who have had several copies of the BJP Alamanac in stock. Unfortunately they'd sold some of them, and the two left, for 1936 and 52 had nothing in that I saw. 
As for new versus used, don't forget there were still import controls until IIRC the early sixties, so new Leicas (and other cameras) might not have been available officially. That might also explain why Ivor didn't come up trumps this time.
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Tim BSRIPN
If I had all the money I've spent on drink, I'd spend it on drink
Edited by TimF (09/07/2009 11:51)
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Terrywoodenpic
A whiff of silicon...
Reged: 21/01/2006
Posts: 919
Loc: Saddleworth UK
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Quote:
Quote:
I just happen to have a copy of the November 3rd 1954 edition of AP on the shelf, which is there or thereabouts. A Leica IIIF with f3.5 Elmar used would cost about £125-135 from most of the Old Bond St shops. Brand new, not sure if I can find any pricing in this copy.
Hope this helps
JD
Thank God for that. I spent a while yesterday trying to find whether Ivor Matanle had mentioned any prices in his writings, without success. Then this morning I visited a local s/h book dealer who have had several copies of the BJP Alamanac in stock. Unfortunately they'd sold some of them, and the two left, for 1936 and 52 had nothing in that I saw.
As for new versus used, don't forget there were still import controls until IIRC the early sixties, so new Leicas (and other cameras) might not have been available officially. That might also explain why Ivor didn't come up trumps this time.
Professional could buy Leica's and Rolleiflex's if they obtained an import licence.. I got a new 1956 rolleiflex that way and imported a Norwood director light meter at the same time.
The most interesting thing was that they were cheaper than good condition second hand ones. Thanks to retail price maintenance on new goods.
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65 happy photo years from amateur to professional and back. Caught the bug Young.
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RichardSibley
AP Technical Writer
Reged: 03/08/2007
Posts: 97
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I have a response from Ivor regarding this which will be in the Q&A section of the magazine in the 8th August issue.
Ivor goes in to some detail, but lets just say that between you all you've hit the nail on the head!
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