eBay surprise M2

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capricho

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This is my fourth post to Rangefinderforum.com. I have been wanting a M2 for quite a while and so on a lark I pulled the trigger on this auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...witem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_500wt_1051

By the looks of the camera it appears to be in quite nice shape however the seller was also quite vague in its detailed description. I guess I'm taking my chances! I suppose I got a fairly good deal on it if it looks and operates as nice as the photos and brief description make it appear.

After it arrives I'll post another followup and describe its overall condition. Now all I need to do is find a nice 35mm lens to match it up with.

Capricho
 
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I will take your advice and do just that. I have a good friend who has several M's and an assortment of lenses and I'll borrow one of his lenses to do the testing.

More to come...
 
Good luck. Sometimes what you want falls in your lap and you have to grab it and go. I'm waiting for a Nikon F2 right now for a similar reason 🙂 My only advice is to find yourself a nice collapsible Summicron to go with it.

I'll look forward to you posting your images.
 
M2's are great. You'll love it. Best case scenario: it works perfectly right out of the box. Probable worst case: it needs a CLA. If so, look on RFF for suggestions about who nearby does the work (I bought one off eBay; it had speed problems needed a CLA; I sent to Youxin Ye and had it back a few days later thanks to Priority Mail). Yours looks good. There's a bunch of good people recommended if it needs anything. After that test roll, shoot lots of film. And post lots of pix here. Have fun. Enjoy! Use it in good health! There are tons of nice glass out there.
 
Its a late model M2 as well ...as others have said, it looks very nice. If youre getting it CLA'd, personally, I'd recommend getting the take up spool converted to the M4 type. Improves the useability no end...
 
craygc said:
Its a late model M2 as well ...as others have said, it looks very nice. If youre getting it CLA'd, personally, I'd recommend getting the take up spool converted to the M4 type. Improves the useability no end...
Click to expand...

...unless you spool film yourself. I find that the fact that I do not need to cut a leader on the film that goes into my M3, is a great advantage. I always forgot to cut a leader when taking film and the M6 out, and in the field finding out that the film would not engage with the M6 take-up spool... :bang:
 
Congratulations on the new M2. Looks nice.

I recently joined the M2 club and couldn't be more pleased with the camera. I went with a 35 Summaron-M myself and love this lens.

Good luck with your lens purchase. Enjoy the M2!
 
M camera checking

M camera checking

Another one: Compare viewfinder clarity with another M camera. If cloudy, do not assume that a CLA will necessarily correct it (viewfinder separation can also be a problem). Check it thoroughly and ask for help with it if necessary before you confirm the transaction.
 
Thanks for all of the advice. I did ask the seller if there were any blemishes on the body and if the finder was clear and the response I received was that the body had no blemishes and that the finder was very clear. I can't wait to receive it. I also purchased a mint Leicameter MR to go with it. I have my eyes on a 35mm f2 Summicron to finish out the kit. I'll keep you all posted...
 
shouldn't the self-timer be pointed straight up?

$720 is nothing remarkable, but if the camera doesnt have any problems that is good. I hope you have good luck with your M2 and enjoy it for years.
 
pvg said:
Another one: Compare viewfinder clarity with another M camera. If cloudy, do not assume that a CLA will necessarily correct it (viewfinder separation can also be a problem). Check it thoroughly and ask for help with it if necessary before you confirm the transaction.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but I don't get all the nit-picking on a 50 year old camera. Yes, it would be great to get one that is perfectly working and cosmetically mint. But the seller didn't say any of that. You already "confirmed the transaction" when you bid. The seller said "as is - ask any questions". FeeBay has become quite onerous for sellers - no matter what you say in the ad, people take half-century old equipment to labs and get second opinions after a purchase, then click "Open a Dispute" if something isn't right. The seller said what it looks like and what he knows...OhBoy is not a retail store....
 
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If you sell equipment (particularly if it is expensive), you need to check it carefully and then describe the cosmetic and mechanical condition with accuracy. This is essential for a smooth transaction.

goamules said:
I'm sorry, but I don't get all the nit-picking on a 50 year old camera. Yes, it would be great to get one that is perfectly working and cosmetically mint. But the seller didn't say any of that. You already "confirmed the transaction" when you bid. The seller said "as is - ask any questions". FeeBay has become quite onerous for sellers - no matter what you say in the ad, people take half-century old equipment to labs and get second opinions after a purchase, then click "Open a Dispute" if something isn't right. The seller said what it looks like and what he knows...OhBoy is not a retail store....
Click to expand...
 
The M2 eBay surprise arrived today and with great anticipation I opened the package to discover a camera that most definitely has never seen a roll of film pass through it. It is in absolutely brand new mint condition with zero cosmetic blemishes anywhere to be found on the body. I was stunned. I had expected less. The bad news is that it desperately needs a CLA...I really lucked out on this gem. I'll post pictures soon.
 
Capriocho, I am glad you are having a good experience with your camera. I think that (as another poster mentioned) you should not expect something 50+ to work perfectly without some issue. I am 50+ and do not work perfectly. ;-(

Regarding the MR meter, I found a reconditioned one, and I think it works great. It IS a little fussy to attach ...
 
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