Leica M camera

[Huss]

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

I wore out a brand new Lubitel 166.
Took 1.5 rolls.

 

[film_man]

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

All my cameras will be worth millions by the time I retire, I will sell them all except the Nikonos, this way I can have a comfortable retirement sailing around the world (now you know I will keep the Nikonos).

It will work, it will work, it will work, it will happen...

 

[etn]

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!!

So true But so fun!!
Beware of the 2nd trap, though: after you have 2 or 3 Leicas (+ a few Summicrons, a Summilux, 3 or 4 Zeiss ZM and a couple Voigtlanders lenses) you'll decide you need a Hasselblad.
The Hassy has one big advantage over Leicas: there are only ~15 different lenses you can buy for it, which should (in theory) limit your spendings.

I speak from experience. Except that the Hassy came first in my case.

Leicas (or Hasselblads) are not an investment, but they don't really depreciate either. Life is short. Have fun with your Leicas (and Hasselblad!)

 

[Saganich]

So true But so fun!!
Beware of the 2nd trap, though: after you have 2 or 3 Leicas (+ a few Summicrons, a Summilux, 3 or 4 Zeiss ZM and a couple Voigtlanders lenses) you'll decide you need a Hasselblad.
The Hassy has one big advantage over Leicas: there are only ~15 different lenses you can buy for it, which should (in theory) limit your spendings.

I speak from experience. Except that the Hassy came first in my case.

Leicas (or Hasselblads) are not an investment, but they don't really depreciate either. Life is short. Have fun with your Leicas (and Hasselblad!)

Yea it starts out innocent. M2 --> M6-->MP-->6x6 folders-->6x9 folders-->Hassy 500 (gift to my wife..yea right!)-->4x5--> and now the deepest rabbit hole yet..leica ltm's.

 

[etn]

Yea it starts out innocent. M2 --> M6-->MP-->6x6 folders-->6x9 folders-->Hassy 500 (gift to my wife..yea right!)-->4x5--> and now the deepest rabbit hole yet..leica ltm's.

Excellent. You‘re missing on the TLR‘s, they are worth a try too (I know you‘ll hate me for saying that )

 

[StepheKoontz]

and now the deepest rabbit hole yet..leica ltm's.

Especially is you start into the Leica clones, Nicca/tower, cannon, minolta.... Then you invariably get an eye for a Nikon S2....

 

[cliveh]

My dear boy, the M2 is one of the best Leica cameras ever made and price or investment value are of no concern. It is designed to take pictures (full stop)

 

[btaylor]

My dear boy, the M2 is one of the best Leica cameras ever made and price or investment value are of no concern. It is designed to take pictures (full stop)

!
So true.

 

[Horatio]

!
So true.

And prices for them are climbing. Unreal. Buy now if you’re gonna.

 

[Colin Corneau]

If you need money, get a side job or sell something else.

These cameras are something you get for the long haul. My 2 pesos, anyway.

 

[johnha]

I bought a user M4 a few years ago (wanted something that wasn't pristine so I wouldn't feel precious about it). I wanted to try the Leica experience and wasn't disappointed. I wouldn't buy any camera as an investment, but you're less likely to lose money on Leica if you decide it's not for you.

If you think you really want one (and can justify the expense), buy one and get the experience - life's too short (particularly now) to keep hankering after something you want.

I bought mine from a Leica specialist with a Voigtlander 40/1.4 and warranty, the peace of mind buying like that was easily worth any extra I may have paid for the privilege.

 

[relistan]

If you are worried about the money don't buy it. If you want to take pictures, the M2 is an amazing base to do that on. If you aren't sure you'll like it, buy it, try it. Your risk is low: you can immediately sell it for no loss most likely. But if you are all about taking pictures, you will like it and keep it, I'm pretty sure.

 

[guangong]

So true But so fun!!
Beware of the 2nd trap, though: after you have 2 or 3 Leicas (+ a few Summicrons, a Summilux, 3 or 4 Zeiss ZM and a couple Voigtlanders lenses) you'll decide you need a Hasselblad.
The Hassy has one big advantage over Leicas: there are only ~15 different lenses you can buy for it, which should (in theory) limit your spendings.

I speak from experience. Except that the Hassy came first in my case.

Leicas (or Hasselblads) are not an investment, but they don't really depreciate either. Life is short. Have fun with your Leicas (and Hasselblad!)

However, if you own a 2000FCM, with simple adapters lots of Zeiss, Kilfitt, Nikon and Leitz lenses exist that are “must have”! The quest never ends.

 

[Arthurwg]

I have many Hasselblad lenses, but I find all I really need are the 60mm and the 120mm.

 

[etn]

I have many Hasselblad lenses, but I find all I really need are the 60mm and the 120mm.

I hear you. Over the years I ended up getting all lenses between 38mm and 250mm (wih a few exceptions) but the 60 and 120 are by far my favorites (180 being the 3rd, the others are rarely used)
I realized with time I only use the 50mm with my Leica or Nikon. I like the „one lens only“ approach.

 

[darkosaric]

And prices for them are climbing. Unreal. Buy now if you’re gonna.

I was today in my favorite Leica shop (Meister Camera in Hamburg). The guy there told me that all M bodies in used conditions are sold in a minutes. There are couple of collection samples (around 5000$), but nothing around 1000$, as was usual the case before. He told me that Asia is very big market now, and even so - people are buying broken, and give for repair, as it is getting hard to find something under 1k.
I am not a big fan of CL (I do have one), but if budget is an issue - those can be found for 200-300$.

 

[Horatio]

I was today in my favorite Leica shop (Meister Camera in Hamburg). The guy there told me that all M bodies in used conditions are sold in a minutes. There are couple of collection samples (around 5000$), but nothing around 1000$, as was usual the case before. He told me that Asia is very big market now, and even so - people are buying broken, and give for repair, as it is getting hard to find something under 1k.
I am not a big fan of CL (I do have one), but if budget is an issue - those can be found for 200-300$.

I was looking at an advertised broken M2 from Poland (jammed shutter) on the big auction site. I asked seller if he was open to offers. Nope. Buy it Now for $840. There was a similar M3 on auction from Japan several months ago, for about $700 (parts only), also not willing to negotiate price. I've been watching several M2 auctions since. One ended at over $1300. Apparently the marketplace is very hungry for these cameras. Glad I got my M3 when I did. It may be the only one I ever own.

 

[guangong]

Makes me feel very lucky that I was able to buy my M4s when new. M3 almost new. I feel like a French peasant...land rich but pocket poor.

 

[StepheKoontz]

I recently paid about $1300 for a user condition M2 that mechanically is great and has a clear finder with a very strong focusing patch. The top plate is a little scuffed from an MR meter being used and had a couple of chips in the leather I have patched. It's an early one, second batch, with no self timer and button rewind. It's just scuffed enough where I am not afraid to use it as intended. I feel lucky to have got it Have a Voigtlander 35 f1.4 II, another Voight 50mm f1.5, a 50mm DR, and a 90mm f2.8 *thin* Tele Elmarit. They all perform well. I also have a CL with the CLE versions of the 40mm f2 & 90mm f4 minolta lenses. The 40mm f2 is just OK wide open, by f4 is good. That 90mm f4 Minolta lens is CRAZY sharp!

 

[GRHazelton]

Some years ago a friend from New England had a side business dealing in antiques. He offered some wise advice: Buy an antique item because you like it. If it appreciates so much the better, if it doesn't appreciate you still have had the pleasure of owning and enjoying it. Why not apply this principle to buying used camera gear?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Some years ago a friend from New England had a side business dealing in antiques. He offered some wise advice: Buy an antique item because you like it. If it appreciates so much the better, if it doesn't appreciate you still have had the pleasure of owning and enjoying it. Why not apply this principle to buying used camera gear?

It does apply.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

and had a couple of chips in the leather I have patched.

I am sure this has been discussed before, but how did you patch the chips? Most post-war Leica bodies were covered with vulcanite, which was applied to the shell during manufacturing. It was not a leather or plastic cover as on most other cameras. It gets brittle after several decades, but I recall some old-timers saying that the bodies that had been used usually stayed intact. Possibly body (hand) oil helped, but who knows if this is valid?

 

[Huss]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but how did you patch the chips? Most post-war Leica bodies were covered with vulcanite, which was applied to the shell during manufacturing. It was not a leather or plastic cover as on most other cameras. It gets brittle after several decades, but I recall some old-timers saying that the bodies that had been used usually stayed intact. Possibly body (hand) oil helped, but who knows if this is valid?

The vulcanite on both my M3s went from perfect shape to starting to crumble off in my hands. I removed it entirely on both cameras and replaced with one of those pre-cut leather kits.
I actually do not find the vulcanite pleasant to hold, so it was no loss to me.

 

[Nitroplait]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but how did you patch the chips? Most post-war Leica bodies were covered with vulcanite, which was applied to the shell during manufacturing. It was not a leather or plastic cover as on most other cameras. It gets brittle after several decades, but I recall some old-timers saying that the bodies that had been used usually stayed intact. Possibly body (hand) oil helped, but who knows if this is valid?

I had an M3 with small chipping here and there. I used black hot glue - it worked fine for the two years I owned the camera.
I know someone who used 2 component epoxy glue mixed with carbon powder. I probably wouldn't advise doing that, as I imagine it would be a pain to remove when the time comes to replace the covering - and that time will come when the chipping process has started.

The vulcanite on my early M2 and MDa is intact, and I hope it stays that way, but won't cry when it has to be replaced.