Re: [Leica] Dial $ for Leica

[CapsTeeth@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/27/00 12:34:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
miroj@ozemail.com.au writes:

<< I was curious to know which M series camera is both affordable and highly
 available in user condition. >>

It changes with the fickle whim of the collectors.  Whenever they heat up the 
mint end of a model, the beaters go up in price too.  A few years ago the M5 
was a bargain, but it suddenly swung around, gosh knows why (not my kind of 
M).  Also a few years back a decent but not mint 1,000,000+ M2 could be had 
for around $500 (I bought one at that price in '96).  Today they're in the 
$1000 range (I just sold it for that).  I consider the M6 "classic" a great 
buy today, with user-cosmetics black ones going for about $1050-1200 
depending on looks and who's selling it.  The M4-2 with its mythical bad rep 
and Candian stigma, looks like it will always be a perennial bargain.  The 
M4-P, also Canadian-built and identical to the M4-2 except for the 28/75 
framelines, sells for more money.  In fact, in good condition they're as much 
as M6 classics today.  So to recap, the M6 classic and M4-2 would be my picks 
for "best beater buys" as of today.