Why we bet on Leica auctions in 2025

Buying and selling online is a frustrating experience

If you've sold anything online, you're probably familiar with the "Is this still available?" ping — the first and sometimes only message about your listing, which may or may not be from a serious buyer. As a buyer, you may have had the unfortunate experience of purchasing an item in "excellent" condition only to find it with issues upon arrival. It's happened to me more times than I can count.

I’m an avid CCD shooter–it is, by far, my favorite way to shoot digital. As cameras with CCDs are starting to become harder to find, I pulled the trigger on a Leica S typ 006 last year. If you’ve owned a Leica M9 or S, you most likely know about sensor corrosion. Though the listing didn’t show it, I figured it was corrosion-free because of its “excellent” condition rating.

After three months, I was able to work out a refund with the seller, but it came at the cost of significant time and disappointment. This experience became the catalyst for Summimarket.

Why Buying and Selling Cameras is Hard

There are a lot of online marketplaces. The big marketplaces try to sell everything from baby clothes to car parts. They're too big, too general, and often too complicated. Because they list everything, they're often filled with junk listings that make finding what you want difficult.

When selling, you have a few options: sell to a second-hand dealer for a fraction of its market value, post it in local marketplaces with no buyer verification, or try international forums or marketplaces. You're on your own for crafting the listing, grading the condition, and setting the best price.

As a buyer, you're never quite sure what you're getting. Every seller describes things differently. What one person calls "like new," another calls "acceptable." And there's always that worry in the back of your mind: "Is this legitimate?"

Our Simple Solution: Auctions

We didn't create something revolutionary. We just made it better.

We looked at what works—like how Bring a Trailer successfully sells cars through thoughtful auctions—and applied those lessons to Leica cameras and gear.

Rather than copying the chaotic traditional auction, we built something that feels more like a community event. You can see who's bidding, join conversations about the items, and build a reputation over time.

Why People Love It

For sellers, it's simple: tell us what you have, answer a few questions, and we handle everything else. Instead of haggling with one potential buyer, you watch multiple bidders compete, which can drive the price higher than you expected. And it all happens in about a week, not months.

For buyers, every listing follows the same format. Condition grades mean the same thing every time. You can ask questions directly on the listing and see others' questions. When you bid, you don't need to worry about last-second sniping—if someone bids in the final minutes, the auction extends.

We are honest and upfront about fees for both buyers and sellers. We believe fee transparency is critical for building long-term trust with our platform.

One Thing, Done Well

We only sell Leica cameras and gear. That's it. No random stuff, no confusion. Listings aren’t competing with ads or algorithms. Summimarket is purpose-built for buying and selling cameras.

We understand the market deeply. We know what items should cost, what details matter to buyers, and how to describe everything accurately. We’re focused on making successful sales, not creating listings that don’t meet their reserve or are endlessly reposted.

Join Our Community

Whether you have a Leica gathering dust or you're dreaming of your perfect camera, we've built Summimarket for you. Our goal is simple: to be the best place to buy and sell Leica gear, period.

As we launch, we're offering sellers free listings through June 1st. Come see how we've made buying and selling simple and fun.