BGN Graded Leica M2 from KEH

[dscelfo]

As the title states, I bought a bargain grade M2 from KEH last week when they had 15% off. This was to be my first M camera. I tried to do some research on what that means for a camera body but most of the commentary I found online was related to lenses. Anyway, the body was advertised as:

LEICA M2 PREVIEW LEVER, LEVER REWIND 35MM CAMERA BODY With Rapid Load

what i got was:

was NOT expecting the self timer (not noted in the description) which was disappointing but overall the camera looks pretty good. There's a long scratch in the top plate and a shallow depression along the front edge that's hard to photograph. Neither a deal breaker for me. Also a small dent in one of the corners and again near where a right thumb would rest. No biggie, I wanted (and paid) for a user camera.

The vulcanite looks great, the viewfinder looks great and this is where things get weird. When I took the camera out of the bag, I could hear a rattle coming from the body. When I removed the bottom plate, two screws fell out? Like I said, this is my first M. Do they all come with extra screws?

So in a lot of ways I'm pretty happy with KEH BGN grade and in other ways, I'm completely frustrated. The cosmetic condition is acceptable to me, I just wish the screws were installed and the self timer wasn't.

 

[Vics]

They'll be happy to take it back. If you're unhappy with your purchase, call them and tell them. They want to make you happy with your purchase.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Those don't look like screws. They are the PC covers for the two contacts in the back. At least, that's what they look like to me. Considering you got a bargain body with a discount, I think you did VERY well, and the self-timer is a non-issue to me. This looks like you hit the lottery with this purchase. Now, put a lens on it and check whether the rangefinder is correctly aligned... something far more important than having a self-timer.

Congratulations on the purchase. Take care!

 

[Atom]

If I'm right KEH warranties there used equipment for a certain amount of time. You should call them right away. Those look like screws to me upon zoomed in inspection. If it's a hassle to mail it back ask if you can take it to a local repair place and have them foot the bill for whatever needs to be done to make it in good working order again.

 

[Rayt]

Is that a quick load bottom plate? Perhaps the screws has something to do with that. Looks like you got a real great deal.

 

[B-9]

Dude, you got a quick load kit attached to your baseplate.

Haha, but seriously, KEH is the ONLY store you can buy BGN rated gear and get what other stores call Excellent.

Looks like a great deal to me, so what's to complain about?
It's pretty easy to remove the self timer lever and bury it under some new leatherette.

 

[daveleo]

I've dealt with KEH for years and years. They will correct anything that you perceive to be a problem (and .... I am not 100% certain that you have one).

EDIT: send KEH that picture of the screws and see what they reply.

 

[Vince Lupo]

Looks like a good camera to me -- late (1965) production, decent cosmetic condition, and 'cleaned', 'tested' and 'inspected' (what was the final cost of the body, BTW?). Not sure about those two screws -- have you taken a flashlight and looked down into the body to see if they came from somewhere obvious?

And what is the 'problem' with having a self timer? Is not having a self timer better?

 

[Timmyjoe]

Those are definitely screws, not PC covers. I'd run a roll through the camera and see how it functions. If anything is not working, then back to KEH, they're pretty good about that.

When you buy from KEH, the items listed on their web site are not related to specific items in their inventory like at B&H. They may have an M2 pictured without a self timer in their BGN M2 ad, but that ad points to whatever inventory they have in their warehouse of M2's that are bargain quality. So you might get one with a self timer, or maybe not.

Good luck with your camera.

Best,
-Tim

 

[yossarian123]

To follow up on this - don't worry too much about the 2 week window on returns. Shoot a roll a film (or two) and if things aren't working then send it back to them for a refund or use their in-house repair shop. Either way you should be OK. If you like the rapid load kit then I'd recommend keeping the camera and using the repair shop as kits typically add $100+ to the price of an m2/m3.

Like others have said, KEH will not give you a hard time over this.

Those are definitely screws, not PC covers. I'd run a roll through the camera and see how it functions. If anything is not working, then back to KEH, they're pretty good about that.

When you buy from KEH, the items listed on their web site are not related to specific items in their inventory like at B&H. They may have an M2 pictured without a self timer in their BGN M2 ad, but that ad points to whatever inventory they have in their warehouse of M2's that are bargain quality. So you might get one with a self timer, or maybe not.

Good luck with your camera.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm not buying anything from KEH because they are useless in terms of providing pictures and exact descriptions. It is lousy at KEH. Feels like total gamble.

Very nice looking camera, have you tested it with film already for shutter and RF?
How shutter speeds sounds and how curtains are traveling?

If no issues reveals after tests, it is lovely looking M2 to keep and use!

 

[Timmyjoe]

I'm not buying anything from KEH because they are useless in terms of providing pictures and exact descriptions. It is lousy at KEH. Feels like total gamble.

Totally agree.

Years ago they would email you pictures of the exact item you were interested in purchasing. They stopped doing that, and I stopped buying from them.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Vince Lupo]

I'm not buying anything from KEH because they are useless in terms of providing pictures and exact descriptions. It is lousy at KEH. Feels like total gamble.

Yes, KEH is definitely a total gamble -- I gambled once on a poorly repainted black IIIc for what I seem to recall was about $200. Turned out to be a Luftwaffe IIIcK. I like those kinds of gambles!

 

[yesaroos]

looks like screw that hold the RF module.. should be near the rewind fork, inside the film/canister chamber.. or might be a spare?

 

[dscelfo]

I decided to try and find the homes for these screws and I think yesaroos is correct. According to jumboprawn.net, these screws hold the rangefinder assembly in place. I guess I'll find an appropriate screwdriver and install them and see what happens. Odd that they were loose, no?

Also, the "L" seal reads "A" so I guess it's been serviced at least once.

Dave

 

[burancap]

Odd that they were loose, no?

Also, the "L" seal reads "A" so I guess it's been serviced at least once.

I think so. 😱

The A is serviced at Kosnar in Stockholm. Certainly someone had a play (and I doubt KEH did any inspection whatsoever) with those screws just tumbling out of the chamber. Remarkable that they did not even hear a rattle. Oh well, nothing lasts forever -I miss the old KEH!

 

[ray*j*gun]

On the sell side, they visited a local camera shop to "buy gear" so more for fun and top meet them I went in with a lens that I don't use much.... of course I expected to get wholesale numbers but what I didn't expect was the cheap used car salesman treatment....like "so what do you want for this lens...blah blah blah". They handled me like I was some idiot that found the lens in my old aunt's attic....yuk. However they will accept returns with ease so a gamble is not that expensive.

 

[dscelfo]

tested out the rangefinder tonight with my wife's elmar-m and its a no go, not even close.... maybe those screws are missing too? Also, noticed something in the rangefinder patch. When I shine a flashlight in at an angle it looks like this....

 

[benmacphoto]

The strong plus side to buying from KEH is the return policy and repairs/replacement on purchased goods.
I've bought from them for almost a decade now and only recently I noticed the grading system isn't what it used to be.
But at times it can be much better than expected.

 

[Brian Legge]

Return it if there are rangefinder patch issues. Repairs there get expensive quickly - likely more than the value of the body itself.