M2: What's it worth?

[mike goldberg]

Hi All,
I have a 1965 M2 with the Summaron 35/2.8 and an Elmarit 90/2.8. Regarding Condition, it's like this:

The M2 had a CLA in the 1990's and has been used occasionally since. And yes, there are dings and rubs from normal use; see photos.

The Summaron 35/2.8 was serviced recently, when its inner lubricant made focusing a bit sticky [$65].

The black Elmarit 90/2.8 is in great condition, and has not been used much.

I'd like some input as to how much these items are worth, separately.
Thanks, Mike

 

[Keith]

Hi Mike,

Is that a dent above the rf window next to the rewind knob?

I don't know about the lenses but reckon $550.00 to $650.00 for the M2!

Cheers ... Keith 🙂

 

[BigSteveG]

I could get an M2 in similar condition for $4-450. I wouldn't pay more for a body in that condition.

 

[thomasw_]

Check KEH, eBay and here; my guesses are 550 to 650 for the Summaron; 600 to 700 for the M2 if in good condition.

 

[mike goldberg]

Thanks guys. In my PJ years in the 1990's, I used mostly Nikon SLR's, yet the M2 was always with me. It's a classic, and for $500-, it doesn't pay to sell it. Re: lenses, I also have a very sharp 25/4 Snapshot Skopar [non-coupled], that mounts onto the M2 with an original Voigtlander adapter.

BTW: The Summaron is a great lens; I wouldn't want to part with it.

What has happened is this: When I do film work, I'm partial to the Bessa R... lighter in weight, with a meter. C'est la vie: I guess we all have good stuff on the shelf, which is not being used much. When I sell something, I need "inner peace" about it. The only camera I regret selling a lot of years ago, was a nearly new Rolleicord :-(

Ciao, Mike

 

[Keith]

Thanks guys. In my PJ years in the 1990's, I used mostly Nikon SLR's, yet the M2 was always with me. It's a classic, and for $500-, it doesn't pay to sell it. Re: lenses, I also have a very sharp 25/4 Snapshot Skopar [non-coupled], that mounts onto the M2 with an original Voigtlander adapter.

BTW: The Summaron is a great lens; I wouldn't want to part with it.

What has happened is this: When I do film work, I'm partial to the Bessa R... lighter in weight, with a meter. C'est la vie: I guess we all have good stuff on the shelf, which is not being used much. When I sell something, I want "inner peace" about it. The only camera I regret selling a lot of years ago, was a nearly new Rolleicord :-(

Ciao, Mike

It would be a good decision to keep the M2 Mike ... mine just lurks in the cabinet these days while I seem to use everything except the ultimate Leica camera I was sure I would use the most ... I wouldn't sell it though!

Isn't that just life though? 😛

 

[David Murphy]

They seem to be pulling in more money than the M3 now. It's hard to find any working M2 for less than $500. Non working ones get $350-400. Expect to pay $700 or more for a largely undamaged one with no mechanical or serious cosmetic issues. I'd appraise yours at about $500 because of the rather serious dent on it (serious by Leica collector standards that is).

 

[HuubL]

I have exactly your set of M2, summaron, black elmarit. The summaron (if in cosmetically nice condition) sells for 500-550 recently. The M2 with the dent won't bring more than 450. Black elmarits are newer and less than chrome ones. I would reckon 250-300. It may be worthwhile to check with a repair(wo)man if the dent can be taken out. It would make it a much prettier camera.

 

[Doug]

Mike, there are other cameras I grab before my M2 also, but I doubt I'll ever sell it. I've just been with it too long to let it go! Mine's older, too, a button-rewind so possibly worth less.

Some years ago I was told a clean button rewind might go for $1100 or so, and the v.1 35mm for around $1500... If true it was probably unwise for me not have sold them then. I'm not good at selling stuff! Oh, and I had gotten a "fat" 90 TE a year later, so my old kit is similar to yours. Maybe you'll enjoy using your M2 and lenses from time to time too!

 

[HuubL]

Doug, I guess with the v.1 you meant the Summicron 8-element. Those are still worth a bunch; clean ones probably more than 2000. Mike's is a Summaron, same awesome build, same IQ, but a stop slower. They're popular and on iPay go for over 500 US$. I agree with you and the others: never sell the M2 and I would keep the Summaron also!!

 

[roundg]

The M2 can't go high as the dent on the VF. But for a recently CLAed summaron, I observed recent price on ebay is really high, some even close to 700-900...

 

[oscroft]

I paid £200 ($400) for a goggled 35/2.8 Summaron about 6 months ago, and £320 ($640) for a well-used but recently-CLAd M2. That was in the UK, where prices usually seem to be a bit higher than in the US.