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M2 with M6 finder ?


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Hello Guys,

 

I could get my hands on a very nice M2 which, according to the owner, was modified with an M6 viewfinder in Solms. I checked the Camera and its really an M6 viewfinder (x72 mag). It looks exactly like my M6's finder and even has absolutely the same framelines.

 

Now my question is, since the price is quite low ( he wants 350 euros for it, and yeh, its a price between friends, but its still cheaper than a normal M2 .. ), can that modification be genuine ? I mean, did the guys at Leica really do those modifications or is that some kind of amateur mod ?

 

What would an M2 with that modification in B+ condition be worth ?

 

Thanks for the help and cheers :)

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...or is that some kind of amateur mod ?

 

An amateur would need the parts to do it, which he is not likely to get. Plus the conversion requires quite a bit of special knowledge. Chances are the conversion was done by Leica themselves or by some skilled repairman having access to the necessaray parts. But where is the problem? If the camera works allright and has no obvious flaws, this is a great price, so go for it!

 

Andy

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There is no problem with the whole thing. I already told the guy ill take it. Just wanted to know if its some kind of rare mod or something thats quite common with M2's, since i couldnt find anything on the web on it.

 

Really looking forward to the M2, but still, would love to know a bit more about it, since i was already lucky with my M6 which is form an early and small series too ..

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It's not a rare mod, but certainly not common. It's highly unlikely to be a DIY bodge-job either. Leica may have done it, but more likely one of the established repairers like Kindermann, Sherry Krauter or DAG. My own view (no pun intended) is that one of the best points of the M2 is the original viewfinder, with just the 35-50-90 framelines - it's your choice!

 

Regards,

 

BIll

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Well im more into wide angle lenses, and i only use the 28 elmarit and 35 cron, so the M6 finder suites me more then the original finder i guess ..

 

But thanks for the help, its good to hear that i don't by a pig in a poke :)

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No problem at all, and I wish you good light with it.

 

It may be worth considering, if you are truly only a 28 and 35 user, having some of the other, longer framelines "masked off", say the 90 (which would leave 28 on it's own) and the 135 (ditto 35). THEN you would have a nicely "tuned" viewfinder specific to your own wishes... ;)

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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At least in the past, Leitz did offer to convert earlier M2 finders (from serial no. 1053312) to show all six frames. This was just a matter of replacing the finder masks.

 

This conversion is mentioned as current as late as in Günther Osterloh, 'Leica M, hohe Schule der Kleinbildfotografie', 5th edition, 2002. He does not mention any such conversion of the M3.

 

So this is probably a bona fide job. Enjoy!

 

The old man from the Age of the M2

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In years past Leitz would do many (non-standard) modifications. I've had Wetzlar put an M-3 rangefinder in my NY motorized M-2; and another M-3 rangefinder in my KS15-4. They thought I was a little goofy, but did put a M-3 take up spool in my M-4. Collectors may cringe, but these are the daily tools of a working professional.

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Hello Guys,

 

I could get my hands on a very nice M2 which, according to the owner, was modified with an M6 viewfinder in Solms. I checked the Camera and its really an M6 viewfinder (x72 mag). It looks exactly like my M6's finder and even has absolutely the same framelines.

 

Now my question is, since the price is quite low ( he wants 350 euros for it, and yeh, its a price between friends, but its still cheaper than a normal M2 .. ), can that modification be genuine ? I mean, did the guys at Leica really do those modifications or is that some kind of amateur mod ?

 

What would an M2 with that modification in B+ condition be worth ?

 

Thanks for the help and cheers :)

My M2 also had the M4P frame lines already installed when I purchased it.

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