RE: M-2 story revised

[Kim Sherman <ksherman@cottenmusic.com>]

Good evening Dan,

Thanks for your comments. :-)

>>The only problem in buying a beaut like this is actually using the thing
and risking putting any more dings and scratches in it.  I hope you won't
be tempted to put it away somewhere where it will never be used.  Sometimes 
it is better to by a well working but "user" quality camera so you never 
have to worry about slinging it over your shoulder and having it bump into 
things.  After about 9 years, my once new M6 has reached a point where I 
never have to worry about trying to fool a buyer into thinking it is in 
mint- or exc++; it isn't.  But it works perfectly.  (Maybe it is exc-   ;-) 
)<<

The m-2 is not, i'm sure, _truly_ in collectible condition.  in my mind it 
is a definite "user" body although a beautiful one.  i'm sure i'll take 
great care for many years to keep from adding any additional dings, but i 
_will_ be using this m-2.  i have no need to keep it in a particular 
condition so as to have something to sell later at a higher price.  i only 
wish to preserve the beauty of this m-2 because it is very special to me in 
its own right.  leicas are certainly meant to be used---it is not my wish 
to own a true collectible to keep on a shelf.  i think of these 
cameras/lenses as useable art.  same with the handmade guitars i own and 
offer for sale at my shop.  they are incredible works of art MEANT to be 
used.  we understand that several customers buy certain of our guitars with 
NO intention of using them to make music.  we try not to judge these 
customers and their use (or non-use) of the instruments we offer---i will 
say, however, we are most happy when we see these beautiful instuments come 
back in the shop with character marks (i.e., dings, scratches) that can 
only come from use.  we clean them up, polish them, tweak them ---CLA them 
<g>---and send them back out.....

i'm very happy to be the new owner of this m-2.

i sold my first leica m body this week--a mint- m-4p--to a first-time leica 
user in new jersey.  he said he knew it must have been difficult to let it 
go, but he promised to USE it and take care of it.  i've no remorse for 
having sold the
m4-p.

thanks again for listening.

kim

- ----------
From: 	Dan Cardish[SMTP:dcardish@microtec.net]
Sent: 	Sunday, October 26, 1997 7:54 PM
To: 	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: 	Re: M-2 story revised

At 06:50 PM 26-10-97 -0600, Kim wrote:
[snip]
>from Sherry Kreiter's shop, where it had been completely CLA'd.  It's as
>smooth as silk and in absolutely wonderful condition--even considering the 
>one tiny ding on the front edge of the body.  Other than that ding (and
>it's miniscule, I promise), it's a solid Mint-.  The top plate is 
otherwise
>perfect, the baseplate has only one small brightmark, and there are NO
>marks around the strap lugs.  THe leather's perfect, etc.
>


Dan C.