Michael Tyler
Member
I just bought an M2 for $150. It's a little dirty, has a few dings, the second shutter curtain shows the seam after firing a shot, and the self-timer lever doesn't work. But other than that, it's a fully functional M. The RF is clean, the advance lever is buttery smooth, shutter has no leaks or cracks, and slow shutter speeds fire instantly and at steady speed. The vulcanite is largely pristine. Put a test roll through with no issues. I am happy as a clam.
Wanted to share this in response to the older thread about the person who bought an M3 from an unsuspecting seller. These things do happen. My seller was an old friend who works for a camera store, so he had to know the FMV of M bodies. His words, "I'm just going to put it on KEH, but I'd let it go for $150." How could I say no?
I shoot weddings for a living. Did all of 2008 with an M8, finally selling it at too much loss in order to fund a 5DMKII. What they say is so true - never sell a Leica. I miss that piece of junk M8 every day. For as beautiful as the imagery was, I became frustrated by the high-iso banding, the buffer lock-ups, and a shutter which more closely resembled the sound of Stephen Hawking being killed with a staple gun.
So I've spent the last two years being uninspired by my blissfully competent SLRs. The economy being what it is, I couldn't even afford a used M6, let alone an M9. But this, this is the gods saying life is better with rangefinders. Luckily I didn't sell my 21 Elmarit and 90 cron (both pre-asph), so now I just need a 35 or 40 to complete the set.
With the 21mm Elmarit pre-asph
Little spots of grime, scrapes off with a fingernail, anyone know how best to clean this?
Second curtain not closing all the way after firing, didn't affect the images though.
This was the only damage I could find to the vulcanite.
Wanted to share this in response to the older thread about the person who bought an M3 from an unsuspecting seller. These things do happen. My seller was an old friend who works for a camera store, so he had to know the FMV of M bodies. His words, "I'm just going to put it on KEH, but I'd let it go for $150." How could I say no?
I shoot weddings for a living. Did all of 2008 with an M8, finally selling it at too much loss in order to fund a 5DMKII. What they say is so true - never sell a Leica. I miss that piece of junk M8 every day. For as beautiful as the imagery was, I became frustrated by the high-iso banding, the buffer lock-ups, and a shutter which more closely resembled the sound of Stephen Hawking being killed with a staple gun.
So I've spent the last two years being uninspired by my blissfully competent SLRs. The economy being what it is, I couldn't even afford a used M6, let alone an M9. But this, this is the gods saying life is better with rangefinders. Luckily I didn't sell my 21 Elmarit and 90 cron (both pre-asph), so now I just need a 35 or 40 to complete the set.
With the 21mm Elmarit pre-asph
Little spots of grime, scrapes off with a fingernail, anyone know how best to clean this?
Second curtain not closing all the way after firing, didn't affect the images though.
This was the only damage I could find to the vulcanite.
