Been given a Leica.. need help!

[hoja]

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Hello all,

 

I've been given a Leica M2 camera by a family member but I know nothing about it. It doesn't have a lense, looks a bit worn, its completely black, and has the number 936501 on the top.. anyone know what year it was made? would love to find out more about it! thanks!

[zlatkob]

Looks like it's from 1958 -

https://www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm

[elgenper]

Hello all,

 

I've been given a Leica M2 camera by a family member but I know nothing about it. It doesn't have a lense, looks a bit worn, its completely black, and has the number 936501 on the top.. anyone know what year it was made? would love to find out more about it! thanks!

 

Seems it is from 1958, according to the lists. My list says nothing about that batch being black, so it may be a later modification. An M2 that has factory black finish, and listed as such, is rare and usually quite valuable, even if heavily worn.

[Herr Barnack]

@hoja -

Congratulations on your M2 acquisition! Here is a pdf of the M2 instruction manual - http://www.cameramanuals.org/leica_pdf/leica_m2.pdf

 

If you need repair work, I highly endorse Sherry Krauter - Sherry Krauter.com -- Home of the Golden Touch. You will need to call Sherry, as her email server is not the most reliable.

[pico]

@hoja -

Congratulations on your M2 acquisition! Here is a pdf of the M2 instruction manual - http://www.cameramanuals.org/leica_pdf/leica_m2.pdf [... snip great stuff ...]

 

And to add, here is a relatively high definition diagram of the M2 Depth of Field guide available in the viewfinder.

 

http://www.digoliardi.net/Leica_M2_DOF.gif

 

.

[david strachan]

Hello hoja

run some film, have some fun. Use a lightmeter to avoid disappointment, unless you are very good at estimating the light. The negs, and using, will tell you if the camera needs a service...usually good insurance anyway and will make for butter-smooth operation.

 

You will find the Leica User Forum one of the very best forums on the internet with some marvellous images, and very knowledgeable friendly people.

 

Perhaps you could post an image of the camera? Does it come with a lens??

 

Looking forward to seeing some of your pics.

Regards Dave S

[topoxforddoc]

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I see that you're in Mexico. Are you keen on photography and would you like to use the M2 or would you prefer to sell it?

 

Original Black M2 cameras are rare, but one has to be careful, as some owners of chrome cameras had them repainted (which is much less valuable). In the areas of wear, does the metal look like brass or is it more silver coloured?

 

If you are planning to use the camera, check that all the speeds work, esp the slow ones. Open the camera and check that the fabric shutter curtain isn't damaged with a hole or something similar. If you think that it needs a service, then someone like Don Goldberg (DAG) or Sherry Krauter (The Golden Touch) in the USA would probably be easiest for you. I am afraid I don't know of anyone in South America.

 

You'll need to buy a lens to use the camera with. You will get umpteen different opinions about what to buy. It depends a lot on your budget and whether you would prefer a vintage lens (likely to be softer in its rendering) or a modern lens.

 

Do post some pics of your new camera. The M2 is a wonderful camera, and I would personally use it.