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Showing results for tags 'M1'.
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Leica M1/M2 Quandary...HELP NEEDED!
Vintage Digital posted a topic in Leica M-A / M7 / MP and Film M
Ladies and Gentlemen, I’m in a bit of a quandary and your feedback is much appreciated. By way of background, I purchased an M1 in mint cosmetic condition with the intention of having it converted to an M2 by a highly respected technician here in the US. I paid $200 for the M1. I like the M1’s simplicity (no preview lever, just a rewind lever and lens release). The technician could add a rangefinder and 28mm frame lines, my preferred focal length, making the newly converted M2 a perfect landscape/travel camera. I currently use a two-lens setup, with a 28mm (plus the external finder) and a 50mm on my M3. Unfortunately, the technician found dry shutter curtains upon opening the camera and they would need to be replaced at a cost that might be prohibitive. So here are my three options: 1. Add the new rangefinder, 28mm frame lines, shutter curtains, and a CLA for roughly $800. This would result in a near perfect Franken-Leica built to my specifications. Total invested would be about $1000. 2. Add new shutter curtains and a CLA. This would result in a near perfect M1 that I could sell and then reinvest in a different body. Total invested would be about $500. I’m not really sure what I could get for the overhauled M1. 3. Have the M1 returned and sell it as-is. Total invested would be $200 and I’d hope to recoup this expenditure with the sale. What do you think would be the best course of action? Any advice would help.