Leica M camera

Daan vv · Oct 16, 2020

So i’ve been thinking about buying a Leica M2. But what do you guys think the worth of this camera will do in the next couple of years?

I’ve read somewhere that if you buy a Leica now you can sell it in a couple of years for the same price you bought it or a little less.

What do you guys think about this idea? Buy it now. Enjoy using it. Sell it if you need the money after some years.

BradS · Oct 16, 2020

Welcome to the place formerly called APUG.

Its a camera...it is just a camera...
There are many cameras that cost a fraction of what a Leica M2 costs today and will do the job just as well.

If you have the means, buy one and use it.
If you cannot really afford it, then don't buy one.
If you want an investment vehicle buy a index fund.

(Shit, where did I leave my Teflon coated, asbestos lined flack jacket?)

film_man · Oct 16, 2020

I recently bought and sold a M4-2, didn't loose any money on it. Originally bought as it was a good price and thought I'd keep it as backup for my M4, then decided against it, sold quickly and for the same as I bought it. Generally M Leicas are easy to find and resell if you are a bit careful and don't buy a dud. In general I'd say prices are creeping up slowly.

The only catch is if you get one that will need a service. Maybe shutter speeds are slow, maybe the rangefinder needs alignment, maybe this maybe that, these are old things so then you're £150-200 out.

The only question is why the M2? I personally dislike having to remove the spool to reload the film, it is bad enough removing the bottom plate.

logan2z · Oct 16, 2020

As Brad said, don't buy an M2 as an investment. Leica film bodies have steadily risen in price over the last few years (the M6 disproportionately so), but I certainly wouldn't buy assuming that they'll continue along the same trajectory - they might, but there's no guarantee.

Leicas Ms are great cameras, I love them for the handling and the lenses are great too (if expensive). Again to echo Brad, if you can afford one then I don't think you'll be disappointed and you'll likely break even (or close to it) if you decide to sell it down the road. Otherwise, there are lots of great film cameras that can be had at a fraction of the price so that value retention isn't much of a consideration.

jimjm · Oct 16, 2020

There's no guarantees that the value of an M-body will go up, but the general trend has been upward for at least the past 10 years. I bought mine for $550 a decade ago and immediately spent $200 on a CLA. It's worked perfectly since and I could probably sell for a bit more than I have invested in it. However, it's probably the last camera I would sell if I had to get rid of all my gear, so it's worth more to me than just it's current value because I use it a lot.
If you get one for a fair price, it's likely to retain it's value for the forseeable future, but I wouldn't count on them as an investment.

guangong · Oct 16, 2020

As I remember, back when, the M2 was the budget model. I have M3, M4, and late wife’s M5...all bought in 1960s- early 1970s. Fifty or sixty years of problem free use. Looked at M6 when it came out, but viewfinder not as bright and build quality not equally to earlier Ms. Also, collector interest in M2 influences price.
Find an M that you can handle with your own hands before springing for one. Generally speaking the M cameras feel right in the hands, which is why, like Hasselblad, dimensions have remained through models. Still, camera choice is very personal and Leica may not be for you, so try out first.
Among rangefinder cameras Leica was so advanced and user friendly that all other top of the line rangefinder cameras, Contax, Nikon, etc., simply withdrew from the market place.
I agree with others, get the camera if you’ll enjoy it, for investment find a good stock.

Arthurwg · Oct 16, 2020

BradS said:
If you want an investment vehicle buy a index fund.

The way things are going you might be better off with the M2.

removed account4 · Oct 16, 2020

Daan vv said:
So i’ve been thinking about buying a Leica M2. But what do you guys think the worth of this camera will do in the next couple of years?

I’ve read somewhere that if you buy a Leica now you can sell it in a couple of years for the same price you bought it or a little less.

What do you guys think about this idea? Buy it now. Enjoy using it. Sell it if you need the money after some years.

hey there

what sort of photography do you do ? some sorts of photography a range finder is suited for and some types it isn't.
While a m2 is a nice instrument, there are many instruments out there that are less of a hassle to load and always be worried if you screwed it up and won't be able to sell it for a nice price. I hate to admit this but my first 35mm camera was a Pentax K1000 and I still use it all the time. I have other cameras including one that begins with an L, but the Pentax does it all and then some... and like an M2 I can easily sell it for the 100dollars I paid for it...

Pioneer · Oct 16, 2020

Don't do it!!

It is a trap!!

I bought my first Leica for the same reason. I thought I would be able to sell it at a profit sometime later. But I couldn't sell it! I still use it!

But if that isn't bad enough I found out that Leica cameras are like those famous potato chips. You can't stop once you start.

An M2 seems nice enough but once you have it you realize that the M4 is probably better. Besides; its newer, right? It becomes an addiction and the next thing you know you own several of them and you realize you can't let any of them go!

Stop now before you get sucked in!!

EDIT - Besides, a Pentax K1000 is far more versatile and a whole lot cheaper to own and even cheaper to get repaired if it breaks. Remember...Leicas break too. The only camera know to man that never breaks is a Nikon F. If you don't believe me just read the posts on this forum and others.

EDIT #2 - Where did that vest go?? BradS did you steal my flak vest when I wasn't looking?

Ko.Fe. · Oct 16, 2020

Using for real or just for status of owner?
I purchased fine working M4-2 around 2015 (if not earlier) and it was 650 USD (low side of the price range).
I used it every day, dozens of rolls, if not hundreds and it broke in late 2016. To fix it, it was around 250 USD and long wait for parts (months).
It still needs another repair and parts for 500 USD.
If I wouldn't use it for real, but for few rolls per year, it would still works.
They are now around 1K USD.
Between 2016-2018 I had M3 ELC DS and M4-P as well. Worked, but unknown time of last CLA. Sold then because I simply did not wanted to spend 300 USD on CLA, if not another repairs multiple times.

summicron1 · Oct 16, 2020

BradS said:
Welcome to the place formerly called APUG.

Its a camera...it is just a camera...
There are many cameras that cost a fraction of what a Leica M2 costs today and will do the job just as well.

If you have the means, buy one and use it.
If you cannot really afford it, then don't buy one.
If you want an investment vehicle buy a index fund.

(Shit, where did I leave my Teflon coated, asbestos lined flack jacket?)

that's actually very good advice.

mshchem · Oct 16, 2020

I like a nitwit sold my M2 with a matching 50 1.4 Summilux. Chrome, stunning camera. I didn't make money, but KEH did reselling it. I settled down, bought what I think is the perfect M for me a still new in box M6ttl in silver with the 0.85x finder magnification, same as the M2. Also my favorite lens of all time, a very mint early 2000's 50mm Summicron in silver, made of brass so it weighs a ton. I love it. The meter is useful for flashing if you leave the lens cap on. Got a tiny Zeiss ZM 35mm for it, made in Japan, but lovely. I could buy a new 35mm Summicron, but I would feel foolish spending that much money.
As long as rich people want to be seen with a Leica the prices will be high.

narsuitus · Oct 17, 2020

A few years ago, I sold an ounce of gold to fund the purchase of my first Leica rangefinder.

At the time, I knew my first lens would be a 35mm and I knew I wanted a preowned M2, MP, or M6.

I purchased an M6 because it was the best deal I could find at the time.

Today, I think I could sell my M6 body, or the M2 or MP body if I had bought one of them instead, for an ounce of gold.

blockend · Oct 17, 2020

logan2z said:
Leica film bodies have steadily risen in price over the last few years (the M6 disproportionately so), but I certainly wouldn't buy assuming that they'll continue along the same trajectory - they might, but there's no guarantee.

I agree, and as with any old mechanical camera there's a strong possibility of maintenance and repair. An M2 that costs £1k and costs and £600 to fix is unlikely to show much profit if and when the owner wants to sell. Very clean examples tend to sit on shelves or be highly prized, leaving a lot of creaky old cameras in circulation. Personally I'd only but a Leica from a dealer with a warranty, and test the camera hard.

guangong · Oct 17, 2020

I bought my two M4 and M5 cameras new 50+- yrs ago, have never had a problem with mechanical failure. The cameras are robust. With end of E. Leitz, build quality declined. Ownership of brand passed from post to post marketing a brand name. According to my latest info, current management involved in cinema lenses, etc. and turning company around. And serious about camera manufacture. When I paid $440.00 for new M4 (with lens), before Jimmie Carter, that was a lot of money. My tuition at Columbia U was $35/credit. Leica was always expensive, surpassed only by Zeiss Contax.
I wouldn’t buy Leica, Hasselblad or Rolleiflex TLR used unless I knew history of camera.

darkosaric · Oct 17, 2020

Welcome to APUG .
Yes, price will go up, but if you sell it, you will regret, and then you will buy it again, for higher price that you sold it. Leica's are addictive . Buy it, use it, and never sell it. Leave it to your children /grandchildren, or some younger friends/relatives, if you will not have offspring's.

NB23 · Oct 17, 2020

If you respect yourself you should own Ten of those little babies.

Nitroplait · Oct 17, 2020

Daan vv said:
What do you guys think about this idea? Buy it now. Enjoy using it. Sell it if you need the money after some years.

If you can only justify your purchase by considering resale value, I'd say; don't go that route.
Don't ever think of your hobby as a financial investment.

Ian Grant · Oct 17, 2020

It was nearly 17 years before I bought my M3 after trying an M2 at University, they are lovely cameras to use and I've never regretted buying it. I went to an official Leitz dealer and said I wanted a user camera rather than a pristine collectors type and it's still just as good over 30 years land hundreds of films later although I rarely shoot 35mm these days.

You know when buying a Leica it'll hold its value.

Ian

Bill Burk · Oct 17, 2020

Nobody ever regretted buying a Leica M2 with 35mm Summicron because the finder shows the field of view. May as well get a 50 and 90 too so that you can use all the framelines. As for reselling it when you are down... you probably would sell your house first.

ic-racer · Oct 17, 2020

I hope all my photography equipment is worn out and worthless when I retire from photography.

Ian Grant · Oct 17, 2020

ic-racer said:
I hope all my photography equipment is worn out and worthless when I retire from photography.

Unlikely I'm the fourth owner of my British b12"x10" field camera, I bought it from the first owners grandson who now runs the family's studio and photo shop in South Wales.

The only camera I've managed to wear out is a Zenit E.

Ian

darkosaric · Oct 18, 2020

NB23 said:
If you respect yourself you should own Ten of those little babies.

So I need 4 more, well noted !

guangong · Oct 18, 2020

If sm cameras count, I’ve made the cut!

Huss · Oct 19, 2020

ic-racer said:
I hope all my photography equipment is worn out and worthless when I retire from photography.

Retire from photography? Does not compute.

Leica M camera

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