Many of you know the story behind my mint IIIg (purchased from a university, like new, for $150 plus a couple of lenses). Love using the camera enough to purchase the limited edition 35 F2 ASPH Leica brought out a couple of years back. Anyway - today I was offered a 9+ M2 (very recently CLA'd) in trade for the IIIg body. Comes with two screw to M adaptors (for my 35 and 50). I like the fact that the rangefinder on the M is much larger than on the IIIg and I wouldn't have to use a seperate viewfinder for the 35. He needs an answer by tomorrow. DO I?

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), February 26, 2002

Answers

The IIIg is more collectable than an M2. If it were a black paint M4 I'd tell you to do it. But not for an M2... IMO only.

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 26, 2002.

You can do it if you don't mind get less than 100% value on the deal (since you got the camera for very lttle). But a truly mint IIIg is worth about $ 2000 (that is for a really mint example). A 9+ M2 (who knpows what the camera really looks like) could be $ 1000-1500 (probably more like 1000 unless it is really close to mint). Figure an extra $ 100 for the two SM to M adapters. Your still behind the game.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), February 26, 2002.

Hi, Bob:

Difficult question. I'm sure many friends here would be more than willing to be able to offer a sound answer, but how could we?

There are so many particular and even subtle items that make a given camera to match your taste and needs or not that I doubt that even the question itself makes much sense given the fact that nobody else but you could tell anything meaningful on that respect.

You say you love the camera. Even more, you say you love using the camera. For me it means that you shouldn't let it go unless you love the other one so much that you can be sure that you wouldn't regret the change.

One thing seems to be sure, however: the practical advantages of the new body over the old one (no pun intended . . .). If you need or strongly want to get those practical characteristics, the answer seems very clear for me. But you wouldn't be making the question if the answer were really that easy, right?

So what else could we do aside from explaining why one (not you) prefers this or that?

One more thing for you to note: the person who is offering the other camera to you seems to have a very clear idea about what he/she looks for. Do you?

In summary: if you look for an easier shooting, go for it. But if you love the camera I think you'd rather not . . . you will most probably lose it for ever.

Best wishes !

-Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), February 26, 2002.

If you love using the camera enough to consider one of the limited edition SM lenses, I'd say you're hooked on the IIIg! Not a bad thing at all...plus if you trade it, you can't tell the $150 story anymore...

-- Carlin (carlinm@abac.com), February 26, 2002.

No, no, no, no, no! You will never forgive yourself if you make that trade.

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), February 26, 2002.

NO! NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONNONON ONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Bill Mitchell (bmitch@home.com), February 26, 2002.

Listen to the always laconic Dr. Mitchell.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), February 26, 2002.

Well, Bill just answered for the next 83 people...

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 26, 2002.

Okay, okay - I get the hint. I've decided to keep the IIIg and think about adding an M in the future. Thanks for the kick in the head - I think I knew the answer when I posted - I just wanted to be sure I wasn't letting the romantacism of the screwmount cloud my judgement.

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), February 26, 2002.

Good decision, Bob. The .72 viewfinder is tempting for the 35mm lens, but you can get that any number of ways. That IIIg viewfinder and compact package is much tougher to come by, and you would miss it dearly.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), February 26, 2002.

Bob: Now you've got the idea. No impulsive sales, no seller's remorse.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), February 26, 2002.

Bob,

Keep the IIIg, but before you break the word to the prospective trader, ask them how much they want for the M2.

If its very clean and speeds look good, offer him a grand if he throws in the LTM/Bayonet adaptors.

If they bite you still can tell the story about how you picked up a IIIg, M2, and two Leitz lenses and adaptors for less than $1,200. Thats still pretty impressive!

Best of luck,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), February 26, 2002.

You did the right thing! Keep your $150 trophy and use it. The patron saint of Leica was looking out for you on that lucky day that you acquired it, so don't be an ingrate. It was meant to be yours.

-- Luke Dunlap (luked@mail.utexas.edu), February 27, 2002.

Bob.

I bought by chance a IIIg at the Bazar of Lahore (Pakistan) some 10 years ago. I sold it against a Nikon 35TI...

This has a sweet charm of a good souvenir.

I'm too well behing to answer but keep the IIIg and buy the other one.

Oh Yes, enjoy yourself with both. X.

-- Xavier d'Alfort (hot_billexf@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.