Torgian Posted November 30, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey all. So I've been searching for a camera to buy since I'm heading overseas to Japan in April for a couple of years. And I saw and got to hold a Leica M9 in the camera store today. I like the rangefinder style, and was looking at a Fujifilm X Pro 1 as a possibility. But today I found a Leica M9 for sale on Ebay. Starting bid is 800 and I saw someone had bid on it. It has 17 hours left. The seller says it has all the accesories and the camera itself has 42k shutter count. I know these things cost about 7k brand new. I also know how good Leicas are.. my mom owned a film leica for oh... probably 30 years now, maybe more. I'm just curious if I should go ahead and bid? What kinds of questisons should I ask the owner? What should I look out for? Am I gonna kick myself in the face if I let this opportunity pass me by? lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 30, 2013 Posted November 30, 2013 Hi Torgian, Take a look here M9 on ebay, need advice. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
garysamson Posted November 30, 2013 Share #2 Posted November 30, 2013 I think you should factor in the cost of having the camera serviced before leaving for Japan. 42k actuations is quite a lot and the camera may not be trouble free. The cistern of a service check would give you piece of mind before you depart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torgian Posted November 30, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted November 30, 2013 Allright then, With that said, how much does a service cost? If parts need to be replaced, how much would those cost on average? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted November 30, 2013 Share #4 Posted November 30, 2013 Starting prices on eBay mean nothing. Serious bidders bid in the last minute of an auction. Search by completed auctions for an idea of what it will probably sell for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garysamson Posted November 30, 2013 Share #5 Posted November 30, 2013 Allright then, With that said, how much does a service cost? If parts need to be replaced, how much would those cost on average? It's hard to say but I would budget at least $1000 if major components like the shutter had to be replaced and the rangefinder needs to be calibrated etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted November 30, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 30, 2013 I recommend that you buy from a reputable Leica dealer, with warranty, especially considering your unfamiliarity with the product. You might also consider borrowing or renting first. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torgian Posted November 30, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted November 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Well, I just got an answer from the seller and he said h'es selling it for a friend and that he doesn't know the answers to my questions as far as service and such. Plus it's 24 hour only bid so... At the same time, he's got good feedback. But I think I'll wait it out. Lol. On the off chance someone wants to trade, I have a nice leather couch and dining set I'd trade for leica! XD . . . . Hey had to try Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guido Posted November 30, 2013 Share #8 Posted November 30, 2013 If the seller hasn't posted at least a dozen pictures along with a detailed, spell-checked description of the camera's condition, I'd stay away from it. And "selling for a friend" usually raises a red flag for me... "uh, I'm not familiar with the thing and I have no idea what you mean by 'rangefinder misalignment' and 'broken sensor'. My friend didn't tell me anything about this. Anyway, I can't help you, and my friend is in Mongolia for the next 6 months." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcraf Posted November 30, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 30, 2013 I wouldn't bid on this or buy it. There is every chance that your dream of owning an M9, your first Leica, will turn into a nightmare and that would be a shame. As others have said, bide your time a little, go to a reputable Leica dealer and take it from there. There are lots of nice M9s out there, and the prices are softening a little. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted November 30, 2013 Share #10 Posted November 30, 2013 I wouldn't touch any item on EBay that is being sold for a friend, it leaves too much leeway for vagueness and delays. But if the listing says it all works correctly then it should work, and if not you can get your money back. I think the M9 shutter is rated at 150,000 actuations, so 42k is nothing to worry about, it's only just getting run in. There is no reason to assume it would need a CLA, Leica's are more reliable than a few angry posts on internet forums would have you believe. When I have been looking at them the alarms ring with too few shutter actuations for the age of the camera, saying to me the user may be inexperienced and selling it because something isn't right and they aren't happy with it. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted November 30, 2013 Share #11 Posted November 30, 2013 Personally I would wait until you got to Japan and buy from there. There is a tremendous selection of second hand Leica available in the camera stores around Shinjuku and Ginza. Also buying from Japan will make it a lot easier warranty wise should you experience any problems when you are over there. Check the Japan Camera Hunter website for shopping tips and a list of recommended stores. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted November 30, 2013 Share #12 Posted November 30, 2013 Well, I just got an answer from the seller and he said h'es selling it for a friend and that he doesn't know the answers to my questions as far as service and such. Plus it's 24 hour only bid so... At the same time, he's got good feedback. But I think I'll wait it out. Lol. On the off chance someone wants to trade, I have a nice leather couch and dining set I'd trade for leica! XD . . . . Hey had to try Two alarm markers. It may be kosher but I wouldn’t bet or bid on it. There is no need to buy on eBay. There are plenty reliable dealers selling M9 s with a proper guaranty. Well, maybe I would put in a 1500 $ max bid on the off-chance of getting the bargain of the year. Highly unlikely but you never know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted November 30, 2013 Share #13 Posted November 30, 2013 Hey all. So I've been searching for a camera ... Starting bid is 800 and I saw someone had bid on it. It has 17 hours left; lol You should have posted this a little earlier, Torgian, and: Welcome to the LEICA-Forum! If there is still time: ask the seller to ask his friend for a copy of the receipt WITH the serielnumber. An enquiry at LEICA-Customer Service could then result in the information, that the gear has not been reported stolen. If there is not a quick answer from the seller - which seems to be most likely - move on. + 40,000 exp. are something not to worry too much about, but there are lots of 5,000ers on the market, better look for one of these. Best GEORG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torgian Posted November 30, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted November 30, 2013 Yeah, he never did get back to me, and when I woke up this morning, the bids are already up to about 2800 anyway. Either way, thanks for your help. I may just wait till I get to Japan to get a Leica while I'm there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndReini Posted November 30, 2013 Share #15 Posted November 30, 2013 A used M9 from a reputable dealer will cost you $4,000. A used M8 will cost you $2,000. I know that Tony Rose from Popflash is selling a used M9. He is great and usually stands behind his products with a one year warranty. My friend sold his M9 and five lenses through him and it was well worth the commission. Tony immediately sent two of the lenses out for service because of minor stiff focusing. He deals with all these things and deducts the cost from the final commission after the item has sold. I think in the end my friend probably got the same amount he would have gotten had he sold the items himself. The buyers paid the small premium for peace of mind. Well worth it, when you are making this kind of investment. I'm only mentioning Popflash as an example because I have dealt with them a lot. I think Camera West has a used M9 for the same price and I would assume that their customer service is equally good. Buy the right M9 and enjoy it on a great trip, you won't regret it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 1, 2013 Share #16 Posted December 1, 2013 Shutters fail without warning the older they get. They are not like car tires you can see wearing down. I have never seen the projected life published. If it were to fail, the repair are expensive, $2000 wild guess. Leica is not bashful about charging large amounts. If something were to happen, you have an expensive paperweight or enough money in it that you should have bought new camera. It is worth $2000 in my opinion, but it will sell for more. New ME retails at $5500. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 1, 2013 Share #17 Posted December 1, 2013 As iT happens a shutter replacement is not the most expensive repair there is. The part is under 200 euro and the dismantling not as extensive as for instance for a LCD or card slot replacement. The shutter is made by Copal as nearly All shutters are on Canon, Nikon,etc. The reliability should therefore be similar, bearing in mind that the Leica shutter is not protected by a mirror. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryuzaki Posted December 2, 2013 Share #18 Posted December 2, 2013 Seller will increase the bid at last, M9 is usually sale for about $4000. also many many buyer looking for it... good luck~ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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