Where to find User M bodies

[bonky]

Hi all:

I am looking for a user M body that has been recently CLA'ed. (500-750 USD range)

If you have or know someone who has one for sale, can you please kindly email / pm
his contact.

I tried to search around the net but usually they are priced too high.

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[denishr]

Given that a CLA from reputable service persons in the USA (Sherry Krauter, DAG, etc.) are in $200 range (more in Europe), I sincerely doubt you will find a recently serviced M body for that price.
The prices you quoted are for "user" condition M2 - M3 bodies, AFAIK.
For $750 you might get lucky to find an M2 which has recently been serviced, but I wouldn't hold my breath, given the price of CLA.... 🙁
Check out "For sale" threads on photo.net, and you will get a better idea of the going prices for different bodies.

Good luck!

Denis

 

[denishr]

BTW, bonky, I don't want to discourage you.
You *CAN* find a used Leica body for that amount, and since Leicas are built to last, if you can test the camera (shoot a roll of film through it with various speeds), and the test shots come out OK, there's a good chance you won't need a CLA...
My first Leica was an M2 in "user" condition (some small dings anc scratches on top plate), with no warranty, but it turned out to be a great camera - and it remains my favorite so far.
So, if the seller guarantees that everything is OK with the camera (no problems with any of speed settings, like shutter capping, etc., accurate shutter speeds), AND the seller is reliable/trustworthy, you have a good chance of finding one in good condition in your price range.

My recommendation is to try to find one either here (RFF) or on photo.net - try to buy from someone who actually USED this camera, and knows its quirks and potential problems. I wouldn't trust eBay in this regard at all! There are too many "I don't know much about this camera" types there... 🙁

Denis

 

[bonky]

Thanks

Thanks

Hi Denis:

Thank you so much for your inputs.

Didnt want to offend anyone here, 500-750 was an uneducated guess.

If for the 1k budget, I may able to find a decent user m body here in Hong Kong, where I can actually touch and test it.

Anyways, I am still looking for a M body 😀

Cheers

 

[rover]

I think you just have to be patient, and quick to react. It is not unthinkable that a CLA'd camera will show up on the Leica page at Photo.net. In general though the bottom of the range may be the $750 amount. Of course, it you can find one between $600 and $700 it may be quicker, and then send it off for a CLA yourself for another $200 or so you will have what you want.

 

[bonky]

thanks

thanks

Hi rover:

Thanks for the tip...i spent hours watching the FS section of different leica websites..

:angel:

 

[former member]

My M2 and M3 were bought both within your price range; both required work when I bought them. The price was low, and some risk is always involved buying one that requires work. The M2 was $430 and required the rewind gear to be replaced. The CLA/repair ran under $190 at Essex in New Jersey. The parts were backordered from Germany and the repair took two months. The M3 had a shutter capping problem; under $160 at Essex. Back to my house in two weeks. The M2 is EX+ condition except one snall ding in the corner; the M3 is a good solid user with the usual meter marks. So a lot of patience, and taking the time -and risk- will get something within your range. Conservation of Inconvenience.

 

[denishr]

Hi Denis:

Thank you so much for your inputs.

Didnt want to offend anyone here, 500-750 was an uneducated guess.

Cheers

No offense, bonky!
We're glad to help, if we can...

Since you're in HK (I don't know about prices there!), I think you should watch photo.net Leica forum closely - there are some good deals to be found there, although they are always snatched immediately - within a few minutes usually 🙂

Check out also older "for sale" items on Leica forum there - it will give you an idea of the price ranges in USA...

Denis

 

[bonky]

I want to buy local, really, but the prices here for used M bodies are pretty high. Hence, I am trying to find one overseas.

I will keep an eye out

and

Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[hth]

Both my M2 and M4 was in this price realm (even counting the lousy $ value of today (I am in Sweden)). I even got warranty from the store on the M2 and neither was in immediate need of a CLA.

I just looked around locally and was a bit lucky. The digital revolution means low prices on used film gear and it has finally come to Leica as well. An M4 around here was easily twice as much 4 years ago.

 

[bonky]

Hi all:

I just found a local collector/seller and hes selling a m6 classic black 0.72, no box, roughtly for 1200USD... is this a fair price ?

 

[existrandom]

bonky,

try "wing kai" at stanley street, central; there is one M2 at your price range waiting for you; i want to buy that but i don't have the money!

cheers

 

[bonky]

Hi existrandom:

thanks for the info

will call them now to chck 🙂

 

[rover]

M6 Classic, no box, in excellent condition (condition is king),

$1,200 is a fair but not great price.

 

[hans siddharta]

Maybe you can take this route: -
- M3 DS, bargain condition, from Keh.com, $649
- CLA at Essex Camera, $150
Total, $799, add some more for shipping, will be at $850 max (depend on you location)

cheers,
hans

 

[FrankS]

There was a Leica M4-2 recently cla'd on photonet earlier this evening for $700. Located in Australia, not too far from you.

 

[scottgee1]

SNIP!
The M2 was $430 and required the rewind gear to be replaced. The CLA/repair ran under $190 at Essex in New Jersey. The parts were backordered from Germany and the repair took two months.
SNIP!

This is why I'm thinkin' I'll stay with VC as my 'M' platform. If Leica does indeed go through some kind of change, I wonder what will happen to parts availability then?

FWIW/ScottGee1

 

[bonky]

Thank you everyone for the help.

I have searched locally and hopefully I can buy one locally.

 

[peter_n]

This is why I'm thinkin' I'll stay with VC as my 'M' platform. If Leica does indeed go through some kind of change, I wonder what will happen to parts availability then?

Scott I really wouldn't worry too much about the validity of a Leica purchase. There are plenty of members here who have Contax cameras that went out of production 20 or 30 years ago and they're still doing fine. I'm hoping to get another Leica body this year... 🙂