first M mount film body

[JohnGellings]

Leica M4, M4-2 and M2 are in your range... seems Igor has a few Leica Cameras: Leica M cameras, Leica R cameras, Leica M3, Leica Digital Module R, Leica Screw mount, Leica M4-P, Leicaflex SL-2, Leica M6, Leica M4, Leica CL, Leica R6, Leica M2, Leica R8, Leica IIIf, Leicaflex, Leica IIIG, Leica IIIc, Leica R3 Safari, Leica M7, Leica M4-P, Leica IIIB, Leica Standard but I'm not sure about their service.

Camera west...

Leica M2, Silver, Button Rewind, DAG Overhauled 939423

This Leica M2 (Silver, Button Rewind), #938423, is in good condition with some handling wear. I rate it cosmetically an (8). The camera is in proper working order; film advances properly, the viewfinder is clear, the shutter is accurate at all speeds, and the rangefinder is bright & accurate...

camerawest.com

Leica M4, Silver 1226852

This Leica M4 (Silver), #1226852, is in great condition with minor handling wear. I rate it cosmetically a (9). The camera is in proper working order; film advances properly, the viewfinder is clear, the shutter is accurate at all speeds, the self-timer functions, and the rangefinder is bright &...

camerawest.com

 

[JohnWolf]

thank you for all of the helpful comments

perhaps i will see what M2 or M4 variant is available used+serviced from blue moon camera next time i am in portland so that i can see it in person prior to buying

Most US dealers have pretty good return policies. Tamarkin and Igor both have M2s and M4s in your price range. We all have our preferences, but either would be wonderful.

John

 

[pvdhaar]

In addition to the easier film load and rewind, the M4 has a self timer. Some people use it, some don't, but if you ever need it, it's there.

 

[JohnWolf]

Leica M4, M4-2 and M2 are in your range... seems Igor has a few Leica Cameras: Leica M cameras, Leica R cameras, Leica M3, Leica Digital Module R, Leica Screw mount, Leica M4-P, Leicaflex SL-2, Leica M6, Leica M4, Leica CL, Leica R6, Leica M2, Leica R8, Leica IIIf, Leicaflex, Leica IIIG, Leica IIIc, Leica R3 Safari, Leica M7, Leica M4-P, Leica IIIB, Leica Standard but I'm not sure about their service.

Camera west...

Leica M2, Silver, Button Rewind, DAG Overhauled 939423

This Leica M2 (Silver, Button Rewind), #938423, is in good condition with some handling wear. I rate it cosmetically an (8). The camera is in proper working order; film advances properly, the viewfinder is clear, the shutter is accurate at all speeds, and the rangefinder is bright & accurate...

camerawest.com

Leica M4, Silver 1226852

This Leica M4 (Silver), #1226852, is in great condition with minor handling wear. I rate it cosmetically a (9). The camera is in proper working order; film advances properly, the viewfinder is clear, the shutter is accurate at all speeds, the self-timer functions, and the rangefinder is bright &...

camerawest.com

I don't shop at Camera West because of their 15% restocking fee. I could understand reimbursing their shipping charge for returns, but $300 on a $2K camera seems unreasonable. In an online marketplace, it seems to me folks need to be able to try stuff without a huge penalty. Especially used gear.

 

[JohnGellings]

I don't shop at Camera West because of their 15% restocking fee. I could understand reimbursing their shipping charge for returns, but $300 on a $2K camera seems unreasonable. In an online marketplace, it seems to me folks need to be able to try stuff without a huge penalty. Especially used gear.

You try things in store. I would imagine that just pertains to buyer´s remorse no? I mean, surely they do not charge 15% for returning a faulty camera right?

 

[JohnWolf]

You try things in store. I would imagine that just pertains to buyer´s remorse no? I mean, surely they do not charge 15% for returning a faulty camera right?

It always surprised me, but that’s how I read it: “All items that qualify for a return are subject to a 15% restocking fee.”

 

[Beemermark]

In addition to the easier film load and rewind, the M4 has a self timer. Some people use it, some don't, but if you ever need it, it's there.

I sorely miss the self timer on my M7. Shooting outdoors when the light is low all I need do is set the camera on something solid (wall, big rock, fence post, etc.) and use the self timer for the really slow shutter speeds.

 

[Slumgullion]

M7's are great, but keep in mind, the only technician that can do actual work on them (to my knowledge) is Leica. The tools/software necessary to deep dive with the electronically controlled shutter aren't available to third party repair people. I know this pain acutely, because my M7 (that I bought in March of '23) has had regular issues with its shutter capping. I asked my local tech to work on it. He begrudgingly agreed to adjust the tension of the curtains (like he would for a mechanical Leica). He let me know that he was nearly certain that it wouldn't be a longterm fix. It wasn't. So, now the camera is in NJ (for who knows how long).

Also, the meter is not anywhere near as accurate as the one on the M5.

Still...it's a very nice camera with an exceedingly quiet shutter.

 

[JohnGellings]

It always surprised me, but that’s how I read it: “All items that qualify for a return are subject to a 15% restocking fee.”

That goes for many places, but it generally is for people who return items that work 100%. They wouldn’t be in business long if they charged that on cameras with major issues.

 

[Beemermark]

M7's are great, but keep in mind, the only technician that can do actual work on them (to my knowledge) is Leica. The tools/software necessary to deep dive with the electronically controlled shutter aren't available to third party repair people. I know this pain acutely, because my M7 (that I bought in March of '23) has had regular issues with its shutter capping. I asked my local tech to work on it. He begrudgingly agreed to adjust the tension of the curtains (like he would for a mechanical Leica). He let me know that he was nearly certain that it wouldn't be a longterm fix. It wasn't. So, now the camera is in NJ (for who knows how long).

Also, the meter is not anywhere near as accurate as the one on the M5.

Still...it's a very nice camera with an exceedingly quiet shutter.

DAG did my M7 at a reasonable price and quickly about 2 years ago.

 

[splitimageview]

Restock fees are not uncommon. Too many buyers would just be renters without the fee. My local store has loads of used gear, they are not going to be in business long if that became a free rental pool. If there is an issue with the gear that is a different matter.

 

[Coldkennels]

A lot of time the "restock fee" is also to cover the transaction fees that the vendor has to deal with. Paypal, for instance, charges 2.9% + a fixed fee based on the currency (30 cents in the US, 30p in the UK).

If you're selling a £7k M11 Monochrom, that works out at £203 in fees. Someone "buying" that only to return it for no good reason is going to cost you a good chunk of money if you're refunding them in full.

 

[tortellini_man]

the exact thing i mentioned earlier has become available: Shop : Buy Leica M2 Camera Serviced by Dag: LKW1024/1053557 : Blue Moon Camera and Machine

but, in a cruel twist of fate, i had some unexpected expenses recently and will have to wait a few months at least before spending so much

oh well 😛

 

[sojournerphoto]

That's what he told me. It has been a few years since we spoke about it ... He lives on the Isle of Man and I'm in California. It's been several years since I could visit there, for various reasons, and discussing a camera isn't exactly what we've spent our telephone and email time on. Maybe the market for them has improved a lot, I don't know. Markets do change over time. 🙂

But I don't trust them from a service and parts support perspective.

G

ZM’s are great cameras and have increased in (UK) price pretty well monotonically since I bought my first ages ago. The availability of parts/repair is a fair concern and I have kept one only for this reason.

In the OPs price range I’d be looking at a nice M4 or ZM, but as Marty said way up thread, the newest decent, CLAd M is the one to go for.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Reliable is variable. Less camera is in use (but not abandoned) more it will lasts.
Most reliable M I ever used was M3 ELC DS. Never seen camera to be build like this one...
To be used with goggled Summaron and 21 via OVF.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Leica M4, M4-2 and M2 are in your range... seems Igor has a few Leica Cameras: Leica M cameras, Leica R cameras, Leica M3, Leica Digital Module R, Leica Screw mount, Leica M4-P, Leicaflex SL-2, Leica M6, Leica M4, Leica CL, Leica R6, Leica M2, Leica R8, Leica IIIf, Leicaflex, Leica IIIG, Leica IIIc, Leica R3 Safari, Leica M7, Leica M4-P, Leica IIIB, Leica Standard but I'm not sure about their service.

Camera west...

Leica M2, Silver, Button Rewind, DAG Overhauled 939423

This Leica M2 (Silver, Button Rewind), #938423, is in good condition with some handling wear. I rate it cosmetically an (8). The camera is in proper working order; film advances properly, the viewfinder is clear, the shutter is accurate at all speeds, and the rangefinder is bright & accurate...

camerawest.com

Leica M4, Silver 1226852

This Leica M4 (Silver), #1226852, is in great condition with minor handling wear. I rate it cosmetically a (9). The camera is in proper working order; film advances properly, the viewfinder is clear, the shutter is accurate at all speeds, the self-timer functions, and the rangefinder is bright &...

camerawest.com

For Ms Igor's service is called as D.A.G.

 

[JohnGellings]

For Ms Igor's service is called as D.A.G.

I meant as a seller...