sandro Posted January 27, 2022 Share #21 Posted January 27, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Could you perhaps show us some pictures of the various elements of your kit? Lex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 27, 2022 Posted January 27, 2022 Hi sandro, Take a look here M2-R and KS15-4 Collectable value difference?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
adan Posted January 28, 2022 Share #22 Posted January 28, 2022 It isn't "my kit" - yet. It looks exactly like a "real" M2-R, or an M4 take up system - see pix previously from Samascha and Carbon Dragon (original poster). Three-pronged "tulip" or "fork" take-up core with a coiled spring inside - not in any way a "spool." Plastic M4/M6 funnel on the base-plate to hold film on the "tulip" or fork. M4-type loading diagram. Definitely not the Quick-load spool and guide kit. It just has an earlier serial number than the M2-R ranges, by 100 thousand or so. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted January 29, 2022 Share #23 Posted January 29, 2022 OK - bought the previously-mentioned M2. Here are pictures of: the top plate and engraving - and from the bottom, showing the upgraded takeup spool and M4-type diagram - and the bottom plate. Questions still are 1) possible upgrade ever offered by Leica? Or is the conversion by a 3rd-party tech? and 2) any particular value over regular M2, since it does not have formal M2-R provenance (not within the usual S/N groups)? Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/110997-m2-r-and-ks15-4-collectable-value-difference/?do=findComment&comment=4370885'>More sharing options...
adan Posted January 29, 2022 Share #24 Posted January 29, 2022 I just noticed another anomaly in this M2 - it has M4 framelines (including for 135mm). Something of a Frankencamera - although I count all the anomalies as upgrades, and the mechnical functioning is A-OK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted January 29, 2022 Share #25 Posted January 29, 2022 (edited) 53 minutes ago, adan said: I just noticed another anomaly in this M2 - it has M4 framelines (including for 135mm). Something of a Frankencamera - although I count all the anomalies as upgrades, and the mechnical functioning is A-OK. Well... it's exactly what was proposed to me, 20 years ago or so, by a then respectable repairer in Milano, when my M2 , after a fall, was still mechanically good, but with VF blacked out. I already had an M4, and the repairer proposed me to fix the M2 "upgrading" to M4 VF/RF and loading system : I don't know how would had looked the final result because passed by the proposal and kept the M2 unused and damaged (several years after, gave it to Jerzy, who made from it a splendid like new black M2... 😀) Edited January 29, 2022 by luigi bertolotti 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted January 29, 2022 Share #26 Posted January 29, 2022 I'll just assume the same for this camera - an unofficial upgrade with M4 (or even M4-2) parts, by a very competent 3rd-party tech. Nothing to do with the M2-R/KS15 series. Not a collectible - but perhaps worth a little extra to the right "user," for the added conveniences. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 29, 2022 Share #27 Posted January 29, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 hour ago, adan said: I'll just assume the same for this camera - an unofficial upgrade with M4 (or even M4-2) parts, by a very competent 3rd-party tech. Nothing to do with the M2-R/KS15 series. Not a collectible - but perhaps worth a little extra to the right "user," for the added conveniences. Give it a few years until more obfuscation and rumours kick in,........ but I love it that you got a great camera at your local shop. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
agiknee Posted April 27, 2022 Share #28 Posted April 27, 2022 Don’t mean to bump an old thread but I want to get some info on my m2. I had never realized that my m2 had a rapid loading system until someone mentioned it to me. I was under the impression that only m3’s had the old style spool. After doing some googling, I’m under the impression that I may have a KS15 4 but hopefully you guys can set me straight. My Leica still has the L wax seal so I’m lead to believe this was factory done in 1960/1961. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/110997-m2-r-and-ks15-4-collectable-value-difference/?do=findComment&comment=4425299'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted April 27, 2022 Share #29 Posted April 27, 2022 Serial number is not belonging to the range of the KS-15 4 : it's probably a later modification Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackPaint Posted June 26, 2023 Share #30 Posted June 26, 2023 I found this at my local camera store, but the plate is missing on the bottom. Can you tell from these pictures if this is a KS 15? Serial number is 1,162 xxx Thanks! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/110997-m2-r-and-ks15-4-collectable-value-difference/?do=findComment&comment=4801942'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 27, 2023 Share #31 Posted June 27, 2023 (edited) More pics needed (for the take up spool)... but anyway the s/n is out of range for KS15 (see JC post, #10) Edited June 27, 2023 by luigi bertolotti Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackPaint Posted June 27, 2023 Share #32 Posted June 27, 2023 Is this s/n range set in stone? I found another source online that includes it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 27, 2023 Share #33 Posted June 27, 2023 5 hours ago, BlackPaint said: Is this s/n range set in stone? I found another source online that includes it. Very few facts about s/n of Leica bodies are set in stone 🙂... iirc, even James Lager didn't make a defintive assessment about the s/n of M2s delivered to US Army as KS15 ; also, some other minor details, apart loading system and anti dust felt are somewhere reported.. I do not remember well which they are.... something related to crank lever mechanism.... ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackPaint Posted June 27, 2023 Share #34 Posted June 27, 2023 I believe you are correct. Unfortunately, this camera has been stripped of everything that would make it a KS 15 model, the quickload plate graphic, the winding lever and ?? ..it does still have a felt strip. I’m at a loss as to whether I should buy it and attempt to restore it. They’re asking $1000 and I’m afraid it would only be cost effective if it is indeed a KS15. One thing I can’t tell is the 3 pronged tulip shaped take up spool tip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 28, 2023 Share #35 Posted June 28, 2023 Me, personally, would not pay that price : a diiferent opinion can be in case the buyer should be capable (and geared) to afford personally a good restoration. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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