"Bargain" Leica from KEH: Only 17 Grand!

[Rob-F]

"Bargain" Leica from KEH: Only 17 Grand!

Is anyone really going to buy this? Really?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-M2-Bl...624865?hash=item4403ce4121:g:pw0AAOSwsXFZHbYJ

I mean, I know it is an original 1958 BP. But . . .

 

[michaelwj]

Probably.

It's a black paint button rewind M2 without self timer. There were ~1800 black paint M2s made over almost 10 years, and button rewind models were only made within the first year of production.

So it's basically a desirable rare camera in relatively good condition. Collectiblend has the last one sold mid last year for $22k, and the ones before that at $35k and $46k. So $17k isn't really that steep for that camera.

I'll also add the last button rewind black paint M2 to sell at WestLicht sold for 19k Euro.

 

[Rob-F]

Wow. Well, I guess I shouldn't doubt that KEH knows what they are doing. I knew that BP MPs have sold in the $40K range, but I wasn't expecting an M2 to go for that!

 

[michaelwj]

Wow. Well, I guess I shouldn't doubt that KEH knows what they are doing. I knew that BP MPs have sold in the $40K range, but I wasn't expecting an M2 to go for that!

It's hard to know exactly, but it's possible that there are LESS button rewind BP M2's made than BP MP's (the original ones).

There were around 500 MP's made, of which about half were black, but the number of button rewind BP M2's made could be just as low, if not lower. It appears that the general rarity of the MP in chrome and black makes them all more valuable, a rising tide and what not. On the other hand, a chrome M2 can be stripped and painted black.

 

[Rob-F]

It's hard to know exactly, but it's possible that there are LESS button rewind BP M2's made than BP MP's (the original ones).

There were around 500 MP's made, of which about half were black, but the number of button rewind BP M2's made could be just as low, if not lower. It appears that the general rarity of the MP in chrome and black makes them all more valuable, a rising tide and what not. On the other hand, a chrome M2 can be stripped and painted black.

Yes, and there is a stripped and repainted M2 on eBay right now, asking about 2 grand. But it is advertised as a black paint, not identified as a repaint. You gotta be careful!

 

[Darthfeeble]

I questioned them on it, waiting for a reply.

 

[benmacphoto]

Wow. Well, I guess I shouldn't doubt that KEH knows what they are doing.

They originally were asking $20k.
It even sold but was returned.
KEH isn't what it used to be with their grading and quality.
Sure it's a rare camera but it seems as of late the collectors market is changing.

 

[bayernfan]

i wonder how little they paid for it. probably snagged it at some buying event super cheap.

agreed on KEH not being what it used to be. the grading has really slipped in recent years. had to return a couple items for obvious issues. and they use to offer 30% sales on film gear quite often. i don't even look at their inventory anymore.

 

[PKR]

i wonder how little they paid for it. probably snagged it at some buying event super cheap.

agreed on KEH not being what it used to be. the grading has really slipped in recent years. had to return a couple items for obvious issues. and they use to offer 30% sales on film gear quite often. i don't even look at their inventory anymore.

I think the new owners have destroyed a once good resource .. All things change, it seems.

 

[Jack Conrad]

There appears to be another one for sale at less than half the price.
Check it out. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-M2-bl...b205222&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=292121624865

 

[Erik van Straten]

This one, at KEH, seems 100% real to me: 948893

but this one is a fake: 929348. Buyer, beware!

Both cameras are on eBay now.

Erik.

 

[Rob-F]

There appears to be another one for sale at less than half the price.
Check it out. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-M2-bl...b205222&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=292121624865

It is the lower one in Eric's post. It is a repaint. The repaints I have seen are under $1000, unless done by Shintaro or similar high-grade work.