Am I a fool?

[lawnpotter]

I am thinking of buying a user grade black Leica II with a slightly scratched uncoated elmar for $675.00 😱 I have read here that people paid $200.00 for a leica II, but those days are over are they not? The scratched lens may be ok for me as I already have a perfect coated Elmar and dont mind experimenting with imperfect lenses. Should I wait for a mint black Leica II for $200.00? Will it be a long wait?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

You can get a chrome Leica II for $200, not a black one. Paying more than 3 times the price just for black is stupid if you intend to use the camera (as opposed to being a collector).

 

[lawnpotter]

Ok, I will go for the chrome no problem, but where can I get one for $200.00? I have seen them on ebay for $500.00-$600.00

 

[pschauss]

That price looks a bit high. KEH has a IIIF in EX condition listed for $349. If you look around you can pick up an Industar 22 from a reputable FSU seller for less than $50 with shipping.

 

[lawnpotter]

I may buy a iiif down the road, but for this discussion, I really want a Leica II

 

[rogerzilla]

About the only advantage of a Leica II is that it comes in black, if you like the brassed look. Otherwise, buy a IIIc (or a IIc or a IIf if you don't want the slow speeds). They are better designed, with a die-cast main shutter crate, and not so much larger that you'd notice.

 

[gb hill]

George Ury has a couple of IIc with elmer for less than $500. Has a IIf less than $600. I've bought from George. He's ok to me!
http://georgeury.com/

 

[lawnpotter]

I have a IIIg. the Leica II is tiny compared to it. I would go for a IIc or a IIf if they were as small and light (or very close) as the leica II. Does any one have any weights and dimensions? Thanks

 

[xayraa33]

For $675.00 I would look for a IIIc or IIIf with Summitar lens, all in great or above average condition.

 

[lawnpotter]

I have a IIIg now with Elmar. I have a summitar on the way. I may get a IIIf down the road, but I would love something as small and light as the leica II. Are the IIf and IIc closer to a Leica IIIf in size or weight or closer to the Leica II. Thanks

 

[gb hill]

I don't know much about screw mount leica's sorry. I see that there is a Leica II here for $300. I'd buy from Sherry before ebay.
http://www.sherrykrauter.com/productsPage.php?category=screwMountCameras

 

[ZeissFan]

If you want it, and if money isn't a concern, I say, "Buy it."

I know money is an issue for many of us, but then again, how often will you see a black Leica II?

Maybe it's worth it. Maybe it isn't. In any case, it's a decision that you should make.

 

[n5jrn]

Ok, I will go for the chrome no problem, but where can I get one for $200.00? I have seen them on ebay for $500.00-$600.00

That's eBay in the year 2011 for you. There used to be deals all over the place on eBay. Now, not so much.

I don't know about $200, but someone else in this thread posted a link to a KEH listing for an LTM body for $345. Buying a body from an established, reputable dealer for $345 is a much better deal than spending nearly twice as much to purchase one from some random eBay seller.

I recently bought a CLA'ed user IIIf RDST body directly from Youxin Ye ( http://www.yyecamera.com/ ) for $420. (If you're buying a camera that's over a half century old that hasn't been recently CLA'ed, it will need a CLA to perform to specifications. You should budget that into your acquisition cost.)

 

[lawnpotter]

Thanks for all the good feedback

 

[lawnpotter]

I may pass on this one for $675.00. Ireally dont like the camera shop. And they are selling it as is with no return policy cause it is a "collector"He said I could put a roll of film through it at the store but there are better return policies else where. I am starting to think this purchase from them would be foolish.

 

[pphuang]

If money is an issue, than by all means spend some time, get a sense of the market, and wait until something comes along within your price range. These are old cameras, so it may be worth paying a little more from a reputable seller.

However, if you can afford it, just buy the camera that YOU want, not what somebody else thinks that you want. People will tell you that it doesn't matter and it won't make your photography any better. However, I disagree - if shooting with a particular camera gives you an immense amount of personal satisfaction, it will inspire you to take more photos, which will eventually improve your photography.

"Happiness" is very subjective and very personal. In the end, this is a hobby for most of us, so just get the camera that makes you happy and don't listen to the person that tells you its stupid to buy a black camera because it costs more - its your money, and your life...

 

[lawnpotter]

Paul, I like what you wrote and agree with it. and I do appreciate all the feedback I got from this thread.

 

[Landshark]

You can get a chrome Leica II for $200, not a black one. Paying more than 3 times the price just for black is stupid if you intend to use the camera (as opposed to being a collector).

That's pretty rude isn't it? Suggesting that someone's opinion might be stupid.

That is your OPINION isn't it?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

That's pretty rude isn't it? Suggesting that someone's opinion might be stupid.

That is your OPINION isn't it?

His question was: "Am I a Fool?" If anyone said YES, then they were saying that he is stupid. He wouldn't have asked the question if he wasn't prepared to hear the answer. Note that he decided against the 'foolish' or stupid purchase after I and several others told him he could get a better deal with a chrome camera or another model Leica.

 

[lawnpotter]

I didnt take offence since I did ask "am I a fool?"