RE: M-2 Help

[Kim Sherman <ksherman@cottenmusic.com>]

Doc,

Thanks for your opinion--it's much appreciated.  I currently own a late 
model M-6, and until a few days ago, owned an M-4P too.  I sold the M-4P 
for relatively close to what I paid for it, and was wanting to find a very 
clean M-2 as a second body.  I've used a friend's M-2R (it's in user 
condition, not collectible condition) and love the simplicity of the M-2s 
framelines.  I like the fact only one frameline at a time comes up.....my 
lenses are a late model 35/2 Summicron and 50/2 Summicron, and then the 
lenses that came with my CL (40/2 Summicron and 90/4-Elmar C).  I figured 
the M-2 was the best all around body for me, given the fact I want to own 
an older M-body and I already have an M-6.

I'm not looking to sell the body after getting it fixed---just want to have 
one to use.  Still, this one might be too much money, given I want it as a 
"user."

I'm headed to Huntsville for the show, and I'm taking the M-2 with me. 
 I'll let you know whether I kept it after I return.

Thanks again, Kim


- ----------
From: 	CapsTeeth@aol.com[SMTP:CapsTeeth@aol.com]
Sent: 	Sunday, October 26, 1997 6:40 AM
To: 	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: 	Re: M-2 Help

I'm no expert on the pricing of used Leicas, but from what I've seen it
sounds like you paid a reasonably fair price for the condition.  If the 
seal
is intact this camera hasn't been serviced in probably 35 years, give or 
take
a year.  That's good news and bad news.  The bad news is if you want to use
it it should probably be overhauled.  The good news is, it was never worked
on by an incompetent person.  A full overhaul will cost you about $250 or 
so.
 If, by "too much", you mean that you will have more invested than you 
could
sell the camera for, the answer is probably yes.  For $1200 you could
probably find a newer body (M4-P for example) that has a few more features
than the M2 and if it's been well-treated, might not need an overhaul for
quite a few more years.  I have seen late-model M6's for about $1500 or so 
in
great condition, now that the price of new ones has dropped to under $2000.
 But if you are like me and happen to appreciate the quality of finish and
construction that the M2 has, and love to use a 3-decades-old camera that
functions like a dream, and plan on keeping it for another couple of
decades...I vote for keeping it and having it overhauled.

Doc