Mephiloco
Well-known
I think the prices have gone down. I was looking at getting a Leica last year when I still worked for a camera place, and I'd check ebay and the classifieds here and everything was out of my reach. However I recall Canon P's (which I realllly wanted) being much cheaper than they currently are, and now Canon 7's can be had at STEALS with working meters ($140 on keh last week) and a 7s here for $300 right now is pretty good considering one sold on ebay for $470 3 weeks ago.
Anyways, I bought a canonet last year and recalibrated it.. it cost me $20 shipped, arrived almost immaculate. I've seen them sell for $60 (!) and up recently. On the opposite end of the spectrum I just bought my first Leica, a M2 user which has a couple of dings, but has accurate shutter speeds and the only major problems being a few pinholes (which I'm repairing myself). I paid $400 for it. I just ordered a lens for it yesterday from the classifieds here, a 35/2.5 skopar for $155 shipped.
So for $555 I have a M2 that will function quite well after I patch the curtains (I might just replace them if I have the time) with the lens I wanted at my favorite focal length. No meter, but oh well, I've got a leica kit for $555. I'm not getting a lot of work lately due to the recession, but I couldn't pass up those two deals. The silver lining (along with having a leica finally) is that after spending the money on the Leica and debating whether or not I'll regret it in a month or two when I could possibly be really hurting, I got offered a job with a very very very very very very.... very very very big film director (Hint: Soda + burger) so I'm thinking the impulse buy wasa gift from a non existing omniscent being.
And if the job doesn't work out I can just keep being a shill for doctors and lawyers 🙂
Anyways, I bought a canonet last year and recalibrated it.. it cost me $20 shipped, arrived almost immaculate. I've seen them sell for $60 (!) and up recently. On the opposite end of the spectrum I just bought my first Leica, a M2 user which has a couple of dings, but has accurate shutter speeds and the only major problems being a few pinholes (which I'm repairing myself). I paid $400 for it. I just ordered a lens for it yesterday from the classifieds here, a 35/2.5 skopar for $155 shipped.
So for $555 I have a M2 that will function quite well after I patch the curtains (I might just replace them if I have the time) with the lens I wanted at my favorite focal length. No meter, but oh well, I've got a leica kit for $555. I'm not getting a lot of work lately due to the recession, but I couldn't pass up those two deals. The silver lining (along with having a leica finally) is that after spending the money on the Leica and debating whether or not I'll regret it in a month or two when I could possibly be really hurting, I got offered a job with a very very very very very very.... very very very big film director (Hint: Soda + burger) so I'm thinking the impulse buy wasa gift from a non existing omniscent being.
And if the job doesn't work out I can just keep being a shill for doctors and lawyers 🙂
