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
Mephiloco
Well-known
Also worth noting, when I went for the M2, I had a M3 in my sights as a fail safe, but really didn't want to get due to no 35mm framlines. The M3 ended up selling for $450 or so with a recent CLA (sold by Youxin I believe). While I was looking at 'user' cameras, these weren't in terrible shape. The M2 I got has a ding on the top which isn't very noticeable, and the vulcanite has one small chip on the side, which if it bothered me I'd crack it all off and replace it with leatherette for $20 or whatever.
I do not like the knob rewind though, or the awkward film loading.. but all in good time I guess.
I do not like the knob rewind though, or the awkward film loading.. but all in good time I guess.