faulty M2 - good price?

[Filzkoeter]

I'm about to buy my first M Leica, havn't decided yet. Wanted to hear some opinions.

It's a lever rewind M2 with self timer (body only + 'never ready case' 😉 ). I can't see any mayor dings or scratches on the pictures of the camera and the seller (who owns a camera store and is selling this camera on a commission basis) claims the viewfinder is clean and clear. The only catch is: its closing curtain is jammed.

I've done some research and it seems to be common that loose felt strips from the light shield (or stuff like film chips) can jam the shutter, the problems of such cameras sounded quite the same as what this camera is suffering from.
I browsed through some repair manuals and a M2 looks quite easy to work on (I've repaired Zorkis, FEDs, a Rolleicord and a IIIf, I have experience in changing shutter curtains and adjusting rangefinders/shutter speeds... it's no rocket science 😉 ).

Unfortunatly I'm not able to take personal look at this camera, as I'm living to far away from the seller.

As a poor student and a cheapskate I propably can't afford to spend 350-400€+ on a M2 in the near future and possibilities are high that M2s in those ranges would also benefit from a CLA.

The price is 230€ (shipping included)... does it sound reasonable?

(for that price I propably can always resell it and won't loose money if fixing this Leica turns out to be to difficult)

 

[nobbylon]

sounds like a bargain if you know how to fix it! I'd buy it myself if you don't!

 

[Pete B]

Yes, buy it.
Pete

 

[Vobluda]

It doesnt sound reasonable to me.
Jammed courtain may need replacament.
You can find CLAd M2s at auction site for 400 EUR if you are patient.

 

[Filzkoeter]

Vobluda: as I said, that's something I can do myself, I've done it before and it doesn't seem too difficult on a M2. I've got the tools, I've got enough shutter cloth to tailor a lot of curtains. When it turns out to be too difficult (because of broken parts that need replacement) I won't loose much if any money reselling this camera.

It also seems that there's a quick load system installed; I'm used to load Barnacks, so I can live with a normal M2 spool if I find a cheap one... selling the quick load thingy would refinance quite a big part of this camera 😉

 

[nobbylon]

Vobluda: as I said, that's something I can do myself, I've done it before and it doesn't seem too difficult on a M2. I've got the tools, I've got enough shutter cloth to tailor a lot of curtains. When it turns out to be too difficult (because of broken parts that need replacement) I won't loose much if any money reselling this camera.

It also seems that there's a quick load system installed; I'm used to load Barnacks, so I can live with a normal M2 spool if I find a cheap one... selling the quick load thingy would refinance quite a big part of this camera 😉

there you go, why ask?

 

[mortalenema]

In that case, definitely do it. When you do get it, document your work and post a thread about it. I'm sure we would all love to follow along in your repair process.

 

[maddoc]

I would go for it. 🙂

 

[nongfuspring]

In that case, definitely do it. When you do get it, document your work and post a thread about it. I'm sure we would all love to follow along in your repair process.

I second this. Best of luck, and look forward to hearing about how it goes.

 

[ottluuk]

In that case, definitely do it. When you do get it, document your work and post a thread about it. I'm sure we would all love to follow along in your repair process.

. +1

 

[ChrisLivsey]

How much cheaper would it need to be for you not to ask ? 😀

 

[Filzkoeter]

aaaand I just bought it ;D
I'll make a thread with a lot of pictures of the disassembly when it arrives 🙂

 

[Stuart John]

Really looking forward to hear how you get on. The pictures will be very useful for many of us that have suffered broken Leicas.

 

[Highway 61]

Really looking forward to hear how you get on. The pictures will be very useful for many of us that have suffered broken Leicas.

Do you live on Mars ? A Leica never breaks. 😀

 

[djhurley92]

aaaand I just bought it ;D
I'll make a thread with a lot of pictures of the disassembly when it arrives 🙂

That'll be really great, I was thinking of getting a faulty one myself to try and repair. Look forward to seeing the thread!

David

 

[Filzkoeter]

It arrived. And it looks damn great. No dings, nearly no scratches (only on the top plate from a LeicaMeter). The RF patch is contrasty. Shutter is lighttight, no pinholes, L-seal is still in place. And yes, there's a quick load kit installed.
And well... contrary to what the seller said.... the shutter works flawlessly. But nevertheless, it needs a CLA.
Fully working Leica M2 in a nice cosmetic condition for 230€... that's nice 🙂

 

[Tom A]

Very good deal! As for CLA - just shoot some films with so you can identify the problems and tell the mechanic. Run through all the speeds and check for "off" speeds and if the shutter is "capping". You might just need a clean of the film-tracks and lubrication for the advance and exposure functions.
Once done, just load it up and shoot up a storm with it.

 

[nobbylon]

Do those lugs have steel inserts in? looks nice.

 

[Filzkoeter]

No inserts in those lugs 😉 it only looks like there would be some on this picture.
Today I'll build my own flexiclamps to get that top off and then I'll take a look at its innards 🙂

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Has anyone ever seen those baseplate stickers that come with the ready load kit applied ? 😀