How much should I spend on a well used M2 that looks like it could need a CLA? Saw one today for approximately $450 - with a slight chance of getting the price lowered. What should I watch out for? I was thinking of using it as a beater. Liked the bright viewfinder and smooth operation of advance lever and shutter. The upper seam of the rubberized curtain seems to be slightly uneven, though... Any advice? Thanks in advance.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), May 25, 2002

Answers

Hi Lutz,

Check the 1/1000s and 1/500s if the shutter works. The only problem I ever had with my M2īs. 450$ seems a good deal.

-- Michael Bohn (michael.bohn@skynet.be), May 25, 2002.

Lutz, whenever someone asks here about the price of something he's been considering, at least a couple of people will chime in that the price is a ripoff, and the item can be had for MUCH less, in mint condition in a sealed box with original fingerprints (and then they suggest a price that I've NEVER seen anywhere nearly as low for the object in poor-minus condition--I always wonder if they're talking about ten or twenty years ago, but you never know. . . .) However, I notice no one's trashed the $450 you're considering yet. I'd take that as a good sign, if you can determine that the condition is good.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), May 25, 2002.

Lutz. Unless you are very lucky there is no free ride on a 40 year old Leica M. Every M2 or M3 that I have bought, even from highly respected dealers, has needed at the minimum a CLA and sometimes more. The two M2s and M3 I currently have, have all needed work, but are now mechanically perfect and a joy to use. $450 sounds like a very good price, chances are you are going to spend another $300, or more, on it. But that is better than spending say $900 and then find out you will still have to spend $300. When I buy an old camera I just assume that I will have to spend more money to get it right, which is worth doing it to me. Even though I have two M6TTLs I still prefer the older M2/3s. And all my cameras are users.

-- Steve LeHuray (steve@icommag.com), May 25, 2002.

There are M2's with button rewinds and M2's with lever rewinds. Sherry Krauter thinks much more highly of the lever rewind models. If the one you're looking at has a lever rewind and a preview lever, I'd say it is an excellent price even factoring in an additional $200- 300 for a cla.

-- Jim Wong (jwmaibin@yahoo.com), May 25, 2002.

Michael, I think you are right about people on this site tending to give lowball price estimates on how much a particular Leica item should cost.

Lutz, I think it is OK to get an M2 that requires a CLA, for example to bring the shutter up to factory specs. But I wouldn'y buy one that requires additional repairs, such as a shutter replacement (which can be quite costly).

Things to look out for: 1) dim VF - problematic in older cameras and may be hard to fix; 2) dim RF patch or RF doesn't work - a big problem; 3) major dents - the M2 is a hardy camera and can take a few knocks, but major dents indicate the camera wasn't treated well and could have internal damage too; and 4) damage to shutter curtain(s).

Other factors can affect price: cameras with lever rather than button rewind and cameras with the self timer tend to be worth a little more. If it were me, the only functional flaw I would accept in a used M would be shutter speeds off (due to lack of usage). I would only buy one with good VF, RF, shutter curtains, and no large dents or dings.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), May 25, 2002.

Lutz If you are planning to use the M2 as a beater the $450 is good price I've used an M3 that I bought used for over twenty years and it still works well though as soon as I get the flex back it will be going to DAG's for a CLA. Even with a CLA factored in I think you are getting a good deal Regards Andy

-- andy wagner (yxandy@hotmail.com), May 25, 2002.

lutz -- an m2 or m3 can NEVER be considered a good deal unless the seller offers to PAY YOU at least $350. at least that seems to be the opinion of some forum members. in my own experience, and if you successfully run a roll of film thru the camera, $450 is anextraordinarily good deal for an m2, even if it is button rewind. forget what the curtain seam looks like. see what the negs look like.

-- roger michel (michel@tcn.org), May 26, 2002.

Lutz, I also bought a used M2 last year for about the same price. It was in need of an CLA, as you could hear from the sounds of the shutter. A slide film proved this, the times were off quite a bit. I paid $150 for a CLA at Foto Werkstatt Wiener here in Munich and the guy really īgot it working again. Right now it is as smooth as my other M2 which had a Leica overhaul 4 years ago and is working perfectly.
It would be nice if you have a lever rewind or a locking button as opposed to the version where you have to keep the button pressed during rewind which is really annoying. Maybe this could lower the price a bit ?
I would not worry about the shutter curtain, this is something that can happen - as long as it is light tight.

-- Kai Blanke (kai.blanke@iname.com), May 26, 2002.

Thanks a lot for all of your advice! I will keep you posted on the outcome. Bests.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), May 26, 2002.

Well, just to keep you updated. Went to that shop, traded and left it with the M2 - for just $350! The shop owner gave me a week to test it, even threw in a film to do it! Saying, Well, that camera is what photography was about, isn't it?

Anyway, I had the roll back and rangefinder as well as shutter speeds seem to do a good job. The feel is great and so I just popped in another roll...

It is quite easy to get accustomed to the different and a bit more cumbersome way of loading the camera. All the rest feels very "at home" (coming from M6s) except for the viewfinder which is a little less brilliant but very large! If I'm not mistaken, its a 0.91 magnification and the 35mm sits just perfectly on the body.

With the $100 saved I managed to get a Leicameter MC and here it is, Slinged, Scooped and Softied...

Cheers.

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), June 01, 2002.

On the way from the photo shop to the 1 hour lab...

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), June 01, 2002.

Ooops, sorry...

-- Lutz Konermann (lutz@konermann.net), June 01, 2002.