Leica M2: GAS Sneak Attack!

[kvanderlaag]

When I went in to fondle the Bessa R2a at my local camera store last time, some of you may remember my lamenting about the M2 that just never was -- the beat up old one owned by the University here that was absolutely charming, but just not worth the money for $1000.

When I went in to buy some more FP4+ today, just for kicks, I got them to let me hold it again, throw some glass on it, and generally manhandle it. As I went to flip the thing over and open it up, I caught the price tag.

$499.

I put a down payment on it after agonizing over it for about an hour and a half.

So. $500 CAD for an M2 in wonderful mechanical condition with a patched shutter that isn't a problem at all, and lots of battle scars from a previous life, complete with one year warranty from the store I'm purchasing it from.

Anyone care to give me a heads up if this seems a little sketchy, or anything I should be looking out for? Next time I go in (probably Friday or Saturday) I'll try to get some snaps of it. (It truly is a user -- dents and dings aplenty!)

 

[trittium]

Congrats! I purchased an M2 within the last 6 months and I love it. As long as you are happy with it's character, no one else should sway you in your opinion. I would check the rf to make sure it is accurate & see if the speeds sound right. If they are bad you might be able to get a CLA under that warranty.

 

[kvanderlaag]

I spent a fair deal of time playing with a Tele Elmar 90 on it, and the RF was not only Leica-bright, but seemed more or less dead on. The shutter speeds seemed about the same. Mechanically, it's a very tight camera!

 

[wlewisiii]

Good for you. This camera may well need work, but at that price it's worth it.

Read this: http://www.cameraquest.com/leicamchecklist.htm

And then if you have any questions, email Dagcam@chorus.net for full information. If it does need work, I'll recommend him without reservation.

Enjoy!

William

 

[John]

You have a very desirable camera for an excellent price. Cameraquest has an interesting checklist for used Leicas.
My M3 has some flaws, but it only cost me 15% of an MP.

http://www.cameraquest.com/leicamchecklist.htm

 

[matt fury]

Wow, $500 USD would even be a good deal I think. Nice find!

 

[Ken Ford]

Nice score! I bought an M6 to be practical, but really wanted an M2. I'm sure an M2 will be my second M body, it's just a matter of time and finding the right deal (like you did!).

 

[richard_l]

Nice score! I bought an M6 to be practical, but really wanted an M2. I'm sure an M2 will be my second M body, it's just a matter of time and finding the right deal (like you did!).

I did the same as you, M6 first, because it seemed the most practical. Several years later I got an M2 and then an M3. The M2 is easily my favorite of all three of the Leicas.

 

[rover]

Congratulations, enjoy the M2 and the great deal by which it came to you.

 

[peter_n]

Congratulations! You are now on a very slippery slope... 😉

 

[wrenhunter]

Keegan, congrats that sounds like a great deal. That is my dream camera, too. Now I know where that Soft-Release is going 😉

 

[SergioGuerra]

I am also waiting for my first Leica, that will be a M2 🙂 Hope we can trade Leica M2 photos soon eheh

 

[kvanderlaag]

From what I hear, the Leica M2 is guaranteed to make you a better lover!

Wrenhunter: Yeah, I was a little unsure of it before. I was thinking of using it on the CL, but that was before I knew I'd have an M2!

I think I'm going to 'borrow' some money from my savings (real, honest to God savings, not just the account I use for all my PayPal stuff 😉 ) and go pick it up tomorrow.

I don't know what I was thinking paying part of the cost of an M2 and just leaving it there. If I'm not careful, Leica Services might come take it away from me for being a bad owner!

 

[rover]

From what I hear, the Leica M2 is guaranteed to make you a better lover!

Just beware of the collapsible lenses and folding rubber hoods. (insert devil smiley thing)

 

[FrankS]

If you are okay with its battle-scars (I would be) and it comes with a warrantee, then by all means buy! AFter you've enjoyed it for a while, critically test the shutter speeds (some camera shops have shutter speed testers) or use slide film to test the shutter, and use the warrantee to get a free CLA if it needs it.

 

[wyk_penguin]

Congrats on your deal.

OT: I have a problem with the look of the M2's frame counter. I like the M3 style ones more. But I don't like the new film advance lever of the M4. In simple terms, where can I get an M3 with the 28mm frameline (besides A'lar Carte)??

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Holy crap, man. If you see another one of those anywhere, let me know. I'll send you the down payment to put on it for *me*.

Great buy. Can't wait to see photos from it.

 

[Ken Ford]

Congrats on your deal.

OT: I have a problem with the look of the M2's frame counter. I like the M3 style ones more. But I don't like the new film advance lever of the M4. In simple terms, where can I get an M3 with the 28mm frameline (besides A'lar Carte)??

How about putting a M3 style advance lever on a M6? DAG has the parts, and it doesn't cost much at all (I think $50 for the part). That's what I did - I feel the same way about the pivoting plastic tipped lever as you. It just doesn't feel right to me!

An M6 isn't an M3, but you'd get your 28mm framelines!

 

[taffer]

Congrats !!!! That's a really nice price for a lovely M2 with loads of stories to tell !

 

[hth]

Congrats!

I got a scarred M2 a couple of years ago and it is still my favourite camera, despite getting an M4, Hexar RF and Mamiya 7 since.

My M2 was the only camera I brought on my latest trip to east Asia. Pulled some 15 rolls through, mostly slide film and they came out fine! If possible, it feels even smoother now after the trip. It just does not seem to need a new CLA (it seems to have had one along the road years ago), it just hums along.

Lovely camera! You will be very pleased!

/Håkan