Leica iiif retail prices in 1951 UK

[AJD]

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.

[JonD]

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

[Malcolm_Stewart]

And now all you need is this Inflation Reckoner to tell you that it was roughly equivalent to £3000 in today's money.

[AJD]

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.

[parisian]

Not far off body and lens price now then - inflation, what inflation?

[TimF]

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.

[Terrywoodenpic]

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.

[RichardSibley]

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!