What would you offer for this?

OurManInTangier said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271108976432?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I'm looking to get back into film M bodies but need a very very cheap option. Is this it?

I've been told an offer would be welcome but what an earth is it worth.

Advice greatly received.
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generally its not a good idea
to buy a beaten to death M bodies
(unless its some rare M collectible and you can make $ on it)

tortured M's will likely eat up your $ on repairs
as well as waste your time while those repairs are being made.

this is especially true of the M4-2 and M4-P
they are just not as well made as the earlier M's

Stephen
 
But it comes with the winder - does not appear there is a choice. I am not put off by its appearance, but rather by the lack of info. Does not say if it has had CLA, or any other probs like sticky frame line selector. I'm very wary of such short descriptions on ebay.
 
CameraQuest said:
generally its not a good idea
to buy a beaten to death M bodies
(unless its some rare M collectible and you can make $ on it)

tortured M's will likely to eat up your $ on repairs
as well as waste your time while those repairs are being made.

this is especially true of the M4-2 and M4-P
they are just not as well made as the earlier M's

Stephen
Click to expand...

Ouch:(

In all honesty it would clearly be a risky punt - perhaps my desire to get back into film with a M body should be tempered by my current finances.

It's just if it was available for a couple of hundred or so it would be worth it to me. Cosmetics mean nothing to me but decent working order does.

Thanks for your knowledge Stephen.

Any other thoughts from anyone?
 
Pablito.

Yes I don't like the lack of info (listed via his mobile phone it appears.) Should I make an offer it would only be after further information and some pics of the inside.
 
I reckon in that condition it will need servicing sooner rather than later - about £200 seems right (if functioning anywhere near properly) considering it's not one of the popular models, and internal condition is unknown.
 
The M4P is inherently a very rugged camera, steel gears, brass top and bottom. If, as the seller states, the rangefinder is clean and aligned and the shutter curtains are OK - it might not be a bad camera at 150-200 pounds - and factor in a check of shutter speeds and curtain conditions. If it is still working - it will probably continue to do so. The winder, if it is the M4-2 winder is worth next to nothing, the key is that you get the regular baseplate with it. As for the looks - it is not a thing of beauty - but it is surprisingly dent free. Almost looks like someone has tried to de-chrome it with steel wool!
In the days of film - the big cruise lines operating out of Vancouver equipped their "grip and grin" shooters with M4P's - some of these cameras had 3-400 000 actuations in a couple of years. Usually required new curtains and sometimes a tightening of the film advance - thats it!
I would pick it up - have everything checked out (speeds and curtains) and if the look is too offensive - tape over the finder windows and give it a quick coat with black Hammer tone paint.
I would not bother with a full CLA on it - just enough to make it work and that should cost maybe 40-50 pounds.
 
I'd offer 200 pounds (as others have suggested) because you need to factor in the cost of a thorough CLA here. To me, CLA cost is a big part of the price I'd pay.

If the seller accepts your offer, consider yourself lucky.

This was more or less the way I got my first M5: the camera was not in the best of shapes, but I got it for a low price ($468 with shipping). Add to it some $300 for a Sherry Krauter resurrection job... and the camera ended up costing about $800. I'd say it's about market price, with the advantage that the warranty on the CLA is mine, not someone else's.
 
lol it looks great. Its not worth a huge amount but id happily use it ( I already have one in much nicer condition but if it works it works. )
At least it has character.
The taped up flash syncs worry me though. I wonder if they are missing
 
Does it have to be Leica M? In other words, would a Canon ltm, like a P or a 6, work w/ your lenses? You may be able to get a Canon in better condition then that M4P for less.
 
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