Leica M2 with M3 viewfinder

[Fabio Ruffet]

Hello everyone, this is my first post after following this forum for a while and taking in the wisdom from the distance

I have a quick question and wondering if could help me. a while ago I bought a Leica M2 but the interesting thing is that this camera has the bright 0.91 M3 finder

Considering to sell it soon though due to having more cameras than I need, do you know how much this would go for?

Many thanks

Fabio

 

[ferider]

Show a picture of the camera please, before you sell it.

 

[JMQ]

Hmmm, M2 camera with M3 finder? while intriguing, I would think it'll defeat the purpose of the M2.

 

[ferider]

Except if it's a classic MP / MP2.

PS: sorry JMQ, speller ....

 

[JMQ]

agreed 🙂 . But the MP3 looks like an M3, and has the 35,50,90 frameslines. If I understand the OP correctly, he has an M2 with the M3 0.91RF.

That said, I'd love to own an MP3....

 

[KoNickon]

So without the 35mm framelines, you thus have an M3 with the manual frame counter. The game isn't worth the candle, I think.

 

[Fabio Ruffet]

here's an image, more on the same set

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabioruffet/7558295276/in/photostream

the focal lengths are 50, 90, 135 (it is an M3 one) very bright

just wanted to know an idea of price so I don't just give it away..

many thanks

Fabio

 

[ferider]

On first glance this does indeed look like an MP2 with an M2 tag/top plate. The time is right as well (1958). Hopefully, TomA can comment. Or send Lager an email, see what he thinks.

 

[JMQ]

Serial number indicates the first batch of 200 M2 made in 1957. I don't think it's an MP2. Would be interested in Tom A's assessment as well.

 

[Fabio Ruffet]

not sure if this is relevant but the bottom plate has a larger 'screw hole' than my other M2 or M7. you can see it here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabioruffet/7558297010/in/photostream

is this for the stick holding the camera (sorry not sure what the real name for this is..)

 

[Phil_F_NM]

It's just the 3/8" tripod thread which used to be the old standard before the 1/4 x 20tpi took over. My old M2 had a 3/8" thread to which I added a 1/4 x 20 collar and locked in with some loctite.

Phil Forrest

 

[ferider]

Fabio, is it single or double stroke ? Also, can you show a photo of the bottom of the camera with bottom plate removed ?

 

[JMQ]

All M2 are single stroke.

 

[ferider]

But this one might not be an M2.

BTW, Fabio, Don Goldberg ("DAG") can give you his opinion too, his father developed the first MP motor.

Roland.

 

[Fabio Ruffet]

single stroke. I will take a pic soon of the interior and share it soon. thanks all

 

[jwicaksana]

This is an interesting camera!

 

[Fabio Ruffet]

Many thanks guys for all your help and input. I didn't manage to take a picture of the inside before leaving for work but to my naked eye it looks identical to my other M2.

I am just wondering if given this is an early M2, Leica did a very short run of M2's with M3 finders though I couldn't find anything on the net about it. Or the forbidden word, a 'prototype'

Meanwhile someone is chasing me to sell it for the price of an M2 - I guess I should hold on?

 

[Lflex]

It looks exactly like my ordinary M2 with button rewind
http://www.flickr.com/photos/forloren/5603929871/in/set-72157624907974064

Only difference is the RF illumination window with the same matte glas I have seen in a old M3 DS I once owned.
I know nothing about Leica collector items and you should of course verify if this is a known variation of special value, but if it is a "frankenLeica" as I am expecting, the attractiveness is lower than a real M3 or M2 IMO.

 

[Lflex]

Meanwhile someone is chasing me to sell it for the price of an M2 - I guess I should hold on?

If someone is very eager, you should probably hold on a little until you feel confident🙂

 

[Shutterspark]

I would definitely hold on until you hear back from one the more knowledgeable folk mentioned above. That said, I've seen an M3 RF in an M4, and that was a definitely a retrofit job. An expensive retrofit job.

For what it's worth I think the fact it's one of the first batch of M2s makes it worth at least a little more than a regular one. Mine is one of the first 2000, still with the old tripod thread and different RF illumination window, and it was valued at +10% in a local camera shop because of it... although of course yours has the M3 RF illumination window.

You just have to find the right buyer; I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd love to get their hands on that M2 of yours, whether it's an original variant/prototype or not.