M2 + Rigid 'Cron estimated ?

[alexz]

Well, took a stroll in Tel Aviv with a good RFF fellow armed with our freshly revived M3s, we noticed an M2 with what appears to be Rigid Summicron in some used camera store. Cosmetically-wise the camera appears to be in really good shape, according to the salesman it should be fully operational. The lens however (yet again according to him) suffers from noticeably scratched front element (from a heavy professional use without front protective filter), albeit works OK mechanically.
The asking price for te set is approx. 700 US$. What do you think abuot this price ?
I understand, even though the camera may indeed be in good working order, it is probably worth to factor in CLA, which (given no major parts repalcement is necessary) may be worth of 150-250$.
How much could be the lens given scratched front element (assuming the lens is fully usable and the scratches probably do not affect he image quality adversely) ?

 

[drewbarb]

Sounds like a not unreasonable deal to me, although not one of those bargains you just have to buy.

Maybe you spend $300 for CLA's for both pieces, and you have a good camera, and a lens that will work, but whose results might not be as good as those from a really clean example. See what price they might sell the body alone.

 

[alexz]

I asked him and he was willing to part the deal and would accept about 500$ for body only. Bearign tha in mind, brining it to the top shape by a CLA would probably make up the actual price to about 800$ which sounds to be pretty much a ballpark for a good user CLAed M2. AM I wrong ?

 

[drewbarb]

Youxin Ye does a really first rate CLA for for around $100 USD. This brings your price down to around $600, not including shipping to and from for the CLA. This is a relative bargin- not stellar, but very good.

 

[alexz]

Yeah, thanks, I dealt with Youxin recently for a major CLA/repair of an old beater non-operational M3 and he managed to breathe new life into it making it sound smoother then my perfectly operational M6. All that for very reasonable cost.
For a worst case, I assume 150-200$ for a CLA of that M2 (yet again hoping no water damage and no major parts replacement) bringing it to about 700-800 $ range inculding S&H.

Still not sure about the deal bearing in my owing m6 and now also a freshly revived by Youxin M3...
BTW, is M2 x0.72 ? (so that 35mm and 50mm frame lines are similar in size as in my M6 classic) ?

 

[drewbarb]

Yes, the M2 has a .72 finder. The frame lines are larger and more accurate than those in your M6. But since you already have the M6, and the M3 (my favorite camera), I'd suggest you might pass on the M2. On the other hand, the M2 is supposed to be a really fantastic camera. I'd suggest you handle one and look through the finder, maybe mount your favorite lens, and see how it feels. Imagine the feel of your M3, with only one set of (very accurate) frame lines visible at any given time, no finder flare, and no distractions. If you are comfortable with a meterless camera, like to shoot with a 35mm lens, and appreciate the quality and feel of the classic mid 20th century Leicas, the M2 sings a siren song.

 

[alexz]

Xmm, Drew, you're really alluring me, I'm a weak on my soul when talking Ms...🙂
One more thing - I appreciate the metering of my M6 and use it quite often, along with my handheld incident meter (Polaris), go figure...
Or probably I'd better invest into a good CLA of my M6 (just for the sake to make me sound for the next few decades) along with RF upgrade (to MP - flare free) and substitute the film advance lever for an M3/M2 style....decisions...decisions...

 

[drewbarb]

OK, I'll make it easy on you. Since you don't use a 35mm lens, and you have the M6 already, which has the same magnification, I'd pass on this M2. If you come across a REALLY good deal, though, you have to get it. Get the finder upgrade fro your M6, and probably the M2/3 style lever upgrade, too- (I hate that stupid plastic-tipped swinging lever!!) and enjoy your current M's. Unless you shoot with them all the time, and have more than 2 lenses, you don't need a third body.

Now if you want to get a 35mm lens to go along with your 50 and 90 for the classic kit...

 

[alexz]

😀 you just nailed the point - I'm getting that 35mm bug slowly...
I figured 500m is great for general use but ofetn is somewhat tight for indoors, this is where 35mm would be perfect (and also probably for a general use). I was tempted to pick a new 35mm ZM Biogon, but probably will postpone that in favor of M6 CLA/upgrade hopefully within next 2-3 months.
But yet again, while M2 appears to be a perfect 35mm body, M6 appears to offer nearly entire VF area (I wear glasses) for 35mm (kind of 50mm in M3) which is good.

Apparently I'd better just to forget about that M2 before a suffering a mental disorder (and/or a painful wound to my wallet)...

BTW, I intend to hang both cameras on me (M6 with 50mm and M3 with 90mm) while wondering on the streets on sessions, otherwise with a single M3 + either 50mm or 90mm (when I'm in teh mood of single camera/lens) or single M6 with 50mm or 90mm+ x1.25 mag. when I feel I'll need in-camera metering or flash...

 

[thomasw_]

500 + cla is a good deal for a M2. i hope you get it, the m2 is a fabulous body with a 25,28, 35 FL lens.

 

[alexz]

500 + cla is a good deal for a M2. i hope you get it, the m2 is a fabulous body with a 25,28, 35 FL lens.

Xmm, AFAIK, the widest M2 can handle (frame lines-wise) is 35mm, am I wrong ?

 

[drewbarb]

Yes. the widest framelines on the M2 are the 35mm. But the whole finder works pretty well for a 28mm, and even a 25mm, if you have a little experience with this lens. I use separate finders on top of my M3 with 25mm and 21mm lenses. The long baselength works great for fine focus when I need it, and scale focus or hyper-focal length focusing works great the rest of the time. The only lens the M3 isn't perfect for is the 35mm length. I sold an M6 a while back, and don't miss it at all. I use two M3's and love them for all my lenses from 15mm to 135mm, except the 35mm. Consequently I don't use 35mm that often. Somewhere there's an M2 quietly calling my name.

 

[alexz]

BTW, is the loading approach of M2 similar to that of M3 ?

 

[FrankS]

Yes .