The M2 I didn't buy

T

tedwhite

Guest
I may have mentioned the M2 with 50/2 Summicron I found on consignment in a camera store for $800. Body has two pinpoint dings on top plate and small piece of vulcanite missing (I forget where). I played with the camera and everything seemed to work fine. The viewfinder was clear, as was the lens, etc.

I called the store a few days later and offered $700, but the owner wouldn't go any lower than $750.

Today I decided NOT to buy the camera and called the store. Why didn't I buy it?

I have four RF's plus a new Bessa R, which takes wonderful pictures (cv35/2.5) and is a joy to use. With the money not spent on a LeicaI can buy two more CV lenses.

So if anyone wants it, it's at Sunset Photo in Tucson (520.296.7699.

Website is www.sunsettucson.com. Good luck.

Ted (520.249.7752 if you want my personal impression of the camera)
 
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Ted, what did you do?! You let an M2 slip through your fingers?!

The force is strong in this one. :)
 
Ted, you can always sell some of the RF you have and keep the M2.

In any event, thanks for your generosity sharing the information! :)

Not that I'm jumping at the chance... But somebody else may.
 
Oh so close.....

But, only you can make the right decision for you, I am sure you have. After a few good rolls of film I am sure you won't think of this M2 again.
 
wow, such discipline! you're a model for others to follow...

but seriously, whatever works for you is the right decision.

and having a couple more lenses is cool too.
which are ya thinking about?

joe
 
Leading by example...discretion being the better part of valor!!!
There's no shortage of M2's if you change your mind later.
 
Aw shucks. I looked through the Bessa R, then through the M2 (a friend has one). Frankly the Bessa's viewfinder was squeaky-clean, brand new, and - here it comes, hold on - brighter!

Why pay $750 for something that's probably going to need a CLA for another hundred. And what if the gold coating comes loose in the viewfinder (or whatever it is that's fatal) and it becomes a hood ornament on an art car? If, as time passes, I should find my Bessa R hopelessly inadequate, then it'll be Leica time.

Joe, I was thinking about three lenses, but will only buy two:

1. 15/4.5 Aspherical Heliar (for the Bessa L)

2. 50/1.5 Aspherical Nokton

3. 75/2.5 Heliar

What do you think?

Ted
 
hard to beat that 75, really. it's small and very sharp. a 35/75 combo is beautiful.

i don't use a 50 much but more now than i used to and i'd like to get better with one.

24 is the widest lens i have ever owned, although i did borrow a 19 to ? canon zoom for the eos once. wide is not my thing, just cannot 'see' with it.
i am anxiously waiting on my 28/3.5 to start practicing with it and hope that maybe i have changed enough to use one properly.

any help?
definitely start with the 75 and maybe evaluate later to see if you need a 50.
or ask rover about the 50's and what the attraction is.

joe

just to add... the 35/75 combo is tiny enough for a very small bag and will account for 90% of your shot total.
 
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Ted,

You're still making me feel great about buying a Bessa R! :D

Unless you really need the extra half-stop, why not just get yourself a Jupiter-8 50/2 and spend the money you save on the 75/2.5? The Jupiter may be nice lens with which to get your 50 fix.
 
I bought the CV 75/2.5 a short while ago. Really like it and I pair it with my 35 as Joe mentions. Although I very recently got an M body, it's curious how much I shoot my Bessa 35/75 outfit. Probably half my RF shooting is done with it. Yup, brighter finder, nice handling. The focus throw of the 35 and 75 is more to my liking than my 50 cron, actually. I don't see anything nonsensical about your decision.
 
Chris, Joe, you guys are wonderful. I had completely forgotten the Jupiter 8 on my Zorki 4K. Duh. Saved some money there. Joe, the 75 is a gotta have, I guess. Read lots about it, and it's all good. My Bessa R's out in the car, but as I recall, it has the 75 framelines. Am I right?

Speaking of Jupiters, I got a J9 in M42 off ebay for a lousy $20.95 for my Spotmatic kit. It's in fine shape and takes excellent portraits. Wide open it has great softness which removes a great deal of wrinkles in older women's faces.

Joe, the 24-25mm lenses are probably the most useful wideangle lenses. The Minolta Maxxum 24/2.8 is, in my opinion, virtually impossible to beat. So is my CV25/4, except it's slower. Both lenses, once you learn the trick of holding them level, can make some striking photographs.

However, the 28/3.5, in most cases, is tack-sharp and much easier to use. I, too, am currently waiting for a 28/3.5 Super Takumar in M42 for my Spotmatics. For some reason, I am more inclined to use wideangles. Or longer lenses, such as 85, 105, 135, 200.

I almost neve use the 50-55 focal length, unless it's the only lens on the camera, such as the Yashica GSN, or the J8 on My Kiev and Zorki. It's a forty year old preference, a habit of seeing, and I can't see myself getting over it. Of course, if you sent me to Manchuria with just the GSN, I'd figure it out.

Ted
 
Thanks for the comment, MCTuomey. If I'd confessed to not buying it, and the reasons for not buying it, over on the Photo.net Leica forum, I'd be drummed out of the corps. Not such a bad fate, as I think of it.

Ted
 
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