What's wrong with this picture?

[Pfreddee]

Several months ago, I bought my first-ever Leica, a IIIc/f conversion, and I have had a blast with it ever since, squinty viewfinder notwithstanding. I decided it was time to buy an M model. Went to my local pro camera brothel, oops, shop, and was looking to buy an M2 with a 5 cm Summicron. Bill and I agreed on a price. The lens looked dirty, but since Bill was sending it out for a CLA, I figured OK.

Went to see about picking it up, and it turns out that the front element of the Summicron was in really crummy shape, but the repair tech found a replacement. I had budgeted $700.00 for the outfit. Come to find out that Bill needed to charge $950.00 to account for the camera, CLA and new front element. I didn't have that much budgeted, so I had to take a pass on the M2. (BTW, I'm not writing a rant against Bill: this is a fishing story, of sorts, i.e., You should have seen the one that got away! I think we both regretted that I couldn't afford it right there.)

Just out of curiosity, I asked to look at an M7 with a 5 cm lens (forgot to see which one). The lens *and* camera price are $2750.00. Here's the point of the "what's wrong with this picture" header: I'm now saving up for the M7 outfit, which is about 3X what Bill wanted for the M2. Is this crazy, or what?

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[elmer3.5]

Right!

Right!

Hi, i think thats what happens when you get into Leica, i had my III-f and now i have more cameras than i should!
What else can i say!

Welcome!😀 and enjoy!

 

[batterytypehah!]

Buy the M2, sell the lens, maybe?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

If you don't need the autoexposure, but you want a more modern Leica with a meter, you might look into an M6. I had two M4 bodies and I sold them after buying an M6, which I prefer because the built in meter is convenient. The M6 is much cheaper than an M7.

 

[payasam]

The answer to your question: The picture is slanted steeply down-hill.

 

[Ezzie]

Wrong? Anything wrong? I can´t see anything wrong with this.

 

[crawdiddy]

I agree with Chris. M6 is the ultimate mechanical Leica, which just happens to have a nice built in meter. The M7 requires batteries to operate the shutter.

 

[jamato8]

How did the Summicron look after it was "fixed". Was the M2 also a CLA? Having something very functional is better than having something that will need further work. Also, if taking pictures, the M2 and Summicron will do that and the rest is up to you.