On the fence: M2

[5nap5hot]

I am considering getting my first Leica. A local shop is selling one for $680 US.
From some research it was made in 1958. The camera is very clean aside from the vulcanite missing under the area of the lens mount.

Is this a reasonable price for this camera in its condition? If so... I think I might buy it.

What does a CLA/covering restoration cost?

[thetooth]

that's a little high in my book . i just recovered my m2 for $26.00 from camera leather . com . i have no idea about the cla for that price it should not need any fixing in my book . you probably could do better price wise on a auction site or here on the website , but then you lose the convenince of the local shop . if your set on the local shop deal haggle him down or have him toss in some film . there are always deals to be made .

[Al Kaplan]

Recovering it with a new "skin" from Camera Leather isn't that difficult. The fit is perfect right down to the various screw holes. It might not really need a CLA if it has been used fairly regularly to keep the grease from gumming up. Ask about the last time that it WAS serviced. Does the rangefinder seem clear in the center of the finder? Is the viewfinder itslf nice and clean? Do ALL the shutter speeds work? If it has a self timer, does that work. See if the flash terminals have been changed to modern ones. If not then have him throw in an adapter. You just may want to use a flash at some point. Also check to see it the neckstrap lugs are tight or if you can turn them. They shouldn't turn. All of these things can be used as bargaining points. See if he'll throw in a neckstrap, even a used one, and a roll of film "to try out the camera".

[Bingley]

If, following Al's recommendations, you can determine that the M2 does not need a CLA, and can get the dealer to throw in some extras, the $680 is probably an OK price, although still a little on the high side. A good user M2 can be had these days for under $600. Check out KEH's prices for comparison, and note that they have a liberal return policy.

[chris00nj]

As long as it works well (try the things Al suggested) then $680 is a fair price. There are plenty on eBay and you may get lucky, but you don't get the chance to inspect it.

Personally, I'd rather buy a used lens online than a used body. I think that more things can go wrong with an old body than an old lens.

[cmogi10]

Do it.
I just saw a beautiful repainted then worn down (used) black paint M2 and fell in love. If I could afford a camera that I seriously couldn't justify that would be it.
O well, maybe someday.

[nihraguk]

The price is a little high, imho. I've been tracking a few user M2s on eBay (from sellers with 100% feedback) and they've all gone for around USD500 or less. Some of them have even already been CLA'd recently.

[Rogrund]

I agree it sounds a little high. Bought my '58 M2 for $375 on eBay.

[thomasw_]

Originally Posted by Rogrund

I agree it sounds a little high. Bought my '58 M2 for $375 on eBay.

I agree it is a bit high, but not a lot. The $375 is unusually low. Around 550 to 625 is the normal range for a good, clean user m2. Some user M2s that are rare or have been painted fetch a bit more.

[kknox]

I sell on ebay & have sold some of my M2's for less & some for more. I also think if its your first M camera you can get some good advice & have a place to take the camera if it needs some work that is close to your home. I have bought many items from a shop I like to deal with. You might pay a few $$ more, but sometimes there is more to the deal than just the price. Good luck pick it up from the shop.

[5nap5hot]

From what I was told the camera has sat on the shelf at the store since 2007. From what I have seen on ebay this camera is in better shape than most.(aside from the vulcanite)
What about KEH? How does their grading work. They have a bgn one and an ex one. Maybe that is a better option.

[Erik L]

as far as service costs i got a horrid deal. sent my recently acquired 58 m2 to essex.
the bill, oh the bill really hurt. over $400! (with the lens)
i hope this is not typical.

i think $680 is way too much actually.

[Nokton48]

Originally Posted by Erik L

as far as service costs i got a horrid deal. sent my recently acquired 58 m2 to essex.
the bill, oh the bill really hurt. over $400! (with the lens)
i hope this is not typical.

i think $680 is way too much actually.

I just sent two old Hasselblad lenses (a 40mm and a 250mm) to David Odess for overhaul. He charged me $585 for both lenses, and that's about right, considering what he had to do to make them right.

Depending on the condition of your M2, that actually dosen't sound that bad to me. That lens looked pretty scruffy as I recall, how did it clean up? Let me know through the forum if you and when you want to sell it.

[MCTuomey]

i paid $675 last half of '08 for an M2 w/CLA several years ago, user/bgn condition, no body cap. I felt it was maybe 10% high at the time, but the timing to buy was good for me so I did it. Sometimes you do well on price, sometimes not. I agree that buying from people you know has a benefit. Work out some extras to make you feel better, like Al suggests, if price is putting you on the fence. What's important is to get one

Btw, I don't think $400 for a camera and lens CLA is too bad. Don't CLAs for a body run $250-300 and for a lens $100-150? That's been my limited experience.

[mabelsound]

After trolling eBay for weeks and never really feeling ready to drop the dough, I paid $725 for a near-perfect M2 from KEH. It worked flawlessly right out of the starting gate, and I haven't had to worry about servicing it for a single second.

Perhaps it's worth it to you to pay a little extra for a nice-condition camera that works perfectly. $680 is reasonable to me, if that's what you get out of it.

[bidnez]

I just got a ´59 M2 here in Norway for $500, which is rather cheap (our level is a bit high; small market) - and; I love the thing to bits. Even if it has a couple of small dings here and there, because it has seen a lot of use.

Remember that life on a shelf is not necesserily good for a Leica - or any fine mechanical tool. I´d guess you ought to be prepared for a CLA. I´d try to discuss that with the store, suggest a lowered price to make room for a service. I´ve used both Youxin Ye and Sherry Krauter - top service and skills in both cases. And (in my experience); a fast turnover.

Good luck!

[SimonSawSunlight]

hmmm I bought my wornwornworn but fully functional M2 ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/simonsa...7607193946998/ without the lens ) for about 325$ (250€) on ebay and had the seller take care of / pay me a CLA, turned out they have their own leica technician. now I'm waiting for it to get back to me =) you can call me the bargain machine *proud*

but that doesn't mean that buying that little M2 you got there won't make you just as happy. go try it, if it works for you, maybe try to beat 'em down a little.

[mamypoko]

I paid about $550 for my M2, which was sitting on a shelf for quite a long time, and had to send it for a CLA with Youxin Ye, due to a stuck shutter.

Personally I would like to check out the camera myself and test it out before purchasing it, the CLA turnover was very fast (thanks Youxin!), although my scrounging up money for the CLA wasn't

Don't be afraid to ask questions about the camera that you're purchasing!

[ferider]

The price is good if the camera works.

There is a huge difference between unseen ebay purchases, and buying a camera you can play with from a store. Of course you can be lucky on ebay but there is added risk.

BTW, Youxin can do the recovering for you as well.

Best,

Roland.

[januaryman]

I bid on a user M2 and won for 460. I was confident it would be pretty good, as the seller was Youxin Ye. Sometimes it pays to be diligent and do your homework. Sometimes you just step into a good deal you never saw coming.

Camera Stores have overhead and costs that ebay sellers do not. If the store were to give me a 90 day warranty, I'd say it was worth it. But I'd shoot the sh*t out of it for those 90 days to make sure it worked in EVERY possible situation. If it still needs a CLA and no warranty, I'd tell him no thank you.

[funkaoshi]

I love my M2. I think I paid around 600$ for it, give or take. It had been CLA'd recently though. I think if this camera isn't in working condition, then the price is too high.

[BigSteveG]

I paid somewhere between 5-550 about 3 years ago. It's in very nice shape, CLA'd and had no Vulcanite missing. I'd look for a more recent model. It's all moot now anyway....ever since I bought the MP, the M2 just sits there looking pretty.

[cjm]

I paid about $700 for mine (which needs a CLA) back in late August 2008. This was right before the US economy had a heart attack and M2 prices went down even more.

To the OP, I would buy the M2 for $680 if you can be reasonably certain that it will not need a CLA. If a CLA is required, you can find a better deal elsewhere.