Leica M2 question

stradibarrius · Jun 5, 2009

Some one wants to trade me a Leica M2 is very good condition for my Nikon D80. Do you think this is a good trade?

Paul Goutiere · Jun 5, 2009

fotch · Jun 5, 2009

Depends. What is the condition/worth of the M2. How bad do you want the D80 right now. In another year the D will drop in value more than the M2. In 5 years you can probably get several D80's in trade for the M2.

Only you can decide.

jp80874 · Jun 5, 2009

Besides this is a film forum. Of course the Leica is the better deal.

John Powers

denmark.yuzon · Jun 6, 2009

if i was offered with that.. assuming the leica is in great working condition.. i would trade my d80 in a heartbeat

nocrop · Jun 6, 2009

I would love to have your non-conundrum!

2F/2F · Jun 6, 2009

On this forum? Absolutely...in any shape except thoroughly trashed paperweight condition. Remember that you will need to budget for a lens to put on it. The M2 has a monetary value of probably $350 to $700 depending on condition. Less if it is the trashed paperweight I mentioned. Of course, you must think about more than monetary value, so it's a very individual decision.

stradibarrius · Jun 6, 2009

I have begun to dabble in the RF world and have a Minolta 7s and a Konica Auto S2 and the seem like tey are going to be fun. I guess if I find I am not a RF'er kinda guy I can sell the M2 as easily as the D80???

mudman · Jun 6, 2009

yeah I'd say so. I'd jump on that like stink on a monkey if the M2 is in any sort of good condition.

Paul Goutiere · Jun 6, 2009

It is conceivable that you will be able sell the M2 for at least what you paid for it, should you decide you don't like it. (This is a curious phenomenon that seems to follow most vintage film cameras.)

A CLA may be necessary, add some $$ for a good lens. (Unless it comes with a lens, then, what a bonus!)

Sirius Glass · Jun 6, 2009

I would jump at that in nanoseconds.

Steve

fotch · Jun 6, 2009

fotch said:
Depends. What is the condition/worth of the M2. How bad do you want the D80 right now. In another year the D will drop in value more than the M2. In 5 years you can probably get several D80's in trade for the M2.

Only you can decide.

Oops! Had a senior moment and thought your were trading for the D80.

John Koehrer · Jun 6, 2009

Ditto what's said above about the M2 holding it's value in the future.

dougjgreen · Jun 6, 2009

Let's put it this way. Right now, they are of similar value (dependent, of course, on the condition). But in a year from now, the D80 will be worth much less than the M2. Of course, you probably need to spend at least $200 more, and possibly as much as $400-$500 more for each lens that you will want for the M2. About the cheapest decent lens you could get for the M2 might be an LTM mount lens, which would need a $20-40 adapter to fit an M2. A good inexpensive choice would be a 50mm f2 Summitar, or any number of fine nearly new Voightlander LTM mount lenses.

But I gotta tell you, I personally sold almost all of my Leica-mount gear last year, and I haven't looked back. All I kept was a Bessa-T with a turret finder, and a 50mm Summitar. It's an amazingly retro outfit. Gone were the CLE, the Hexar RF, the Bessa-L, and a half dozen M-mount and LTM mount lenses. Pretty much the only film I shoot nowadays is medium format. But I kept the Konica Auto S2. It's 80% of the camera that a Leica M2 + a Summicron is, for roughly 5% of the cost.

leicarfcam · Jun 7, 2009

If the M2 is in good working/cosmetic condition I'd jump all over it. The D80's value is dropping like a rock but the M2's value is holding steady and at times is climbing..

Leica M2 question

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency