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I have been toying with an idea of getting M2. I have all the lenses I need that I use on M240 therefore I will need just the body. My question to forum members is what do I need to look for?

 

Will I need to necessarily send it for RF alignments or when ad says CLA done, it means RF alignment was done?

Edited by jmahto
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In my experience, you should check the focus with a loupe/ground glass against the rf patch. If both match, no need to have it touched up. CLA by a reputable tech generally will include this adjustment, but always a good idea to check it out oneself.

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In my experience, you should check the focus with a loupe/ground glass against the rf patch. If both match, no need to have it touched up. CLA by a reputable tech generally will include this adjustment, but always a good idea to check it out oneself.

I looked up for ground glass of 35mm size to check the focus. It seems there is none. Netizens are advising plexiglass with tape (lens side). Are there any cheap and easily available alternatives?

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I believe the best thing you can do is buy your M2 then run a film though it, if everything works and you like the results then all is good. If not then send it for a CLA.

Thanks a lot. Will do. First I have to find something that clicks. :)

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M2 is just like any used film camera. You buy it in unknown condition or you buy it in known condition. Known is then camera has recent service records and/or was in regular use prior to sale. 

What to look for was asked under google watch for over decade now. I checked, it is still valid option:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=buying+used+film+Leica+guide&oq=buying+used+film+Leica+guide&aqs=chrome..69i57.29023j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

CD white, milky cover is good alternative for ground glass. Any clear, flat plastic with one matte surface will, if it is not too thick to slide it into M film channel. And it doesn't need to cover all frame. You are only checking tiny spot in the middle.  

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When I bought my M2 a few years ago it seemed to be in perfect condition. After shooting a few rolls of film with it the shutter curtain started not to close completely. I sent the camera out for a CLA. It came back like new. My suggestion to you is that with an old camera like the M2, even if it has never been used and looks like it's in perfect condition, you should have a CLA done. Over the years lubrication of the mechanism most likely will have dried out more or less. That was the problem with my stuck shutter curtain.

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Buy one from a dealer with warranty. As said above, run a film through it and if all is good then fine, if not you can return it to the dealer to repair it.

 

If you want to buy privately, allow for the possible (likely) cost of a CLA unless you know it's had one in recent years or you have the opportunity to run a test film through the camera first.

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I found that an old matte focusing screen from my Canon and Nikon bodies works just fine for checking focus....I do this on all older cameras when I buy them, or when somebody other than a pro tells me they "adjusted: or cleaned an interior element of a lens on a fixed lens.

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I just bought an M2 and crusty/hazy front element collapsible Summicron for £350. It was a good deal but I sent it off right away for a CLA as the 2nd shutter was dragging. Basically, what I'm saying is, a CLA is almost always a necessity unless there's documentation from the seller that one was recently performed. I buy and sell gear constantly and I generally accept that I will need to get the stuff I buy at the very least a decent CLA.

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May I suggest you get one from a good dealer.  There are lots of those in the US like Tamarkin, KEH, BH Photo, Classic Connection etc.  Or from a Leica repair technician like Sherry Krataur (Golden Touch Leica), Youxin Ye, or DAG.  I believe these all offer a warranty/return policy even on used gear.  I have bought used gear from almost all of the above and have never had a problem if I decided to return it.

 

If you can buy from someone locally, shoot a couple rolls of film checking for light leaks, accurate focusing, shutter speeds, and general condition of the camera.  There is not much to go wrong with an M2 which you will discover quickly after shooting some film through it.

 

My favorite M2 at the moment is a 1958 version with button rewind.  It is one of the nicest and prettiest M2's I have ever seen and I purchased it from Sherry Krataur after she went through it and worked her magic.  So, it looks mint and works like new.  Or better then new with the smoothest film advance I have ever felt on a Leica.

 

Have been having really good luck with Sam Showhan at Classic Connection recently and I know he has several M2's on his website.  He is showing a chrome M2 in excellent condition for $800.

 

By the way, there are three M2's in the classified at Rangefinder Forum including two black repaints and one chrome.  Prices are from $1600 to $2000 but owners' claim recent CLA's by either Ye or Krauter.  A black M2 may be the sexiest camera out there (would be hard to beat an original black paint M4 though).

 

Good luck.

Edited by ktmrider2
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Buy one from a dealer with warranty. As said above, run a film through it and if all is good then fine, if not you can return it to the dealer to repair it.

 

If you want to buy privately, allow for the possible (likely) cost of a CLA unless you know it's had one in recent years or you have the opportunity to run a test film through the camera first.

That's what I am thinking. Tamarkin has one for $1350.00 (CLA done). While eBay ones hover from $1000 to 1400+. Since general suggestion is to get CLA done anyway, I guess I should add it to the private seller's price.

 

How much CLA cost?

Edited by jmahto
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The Tamarkin price is top end for an M2 in nice condition IMHO (not mint or boxed which would command collector prices). I note they state cameras are CLA'd 'as necessary' so it may not actually have been CLA'd if they think it's all working fine.

 

However, you do get 14 days to return it and a 6 month warranty so it's a safe option. I'd try an offer if I was interested.

 

I'm sure someone in the US will comment on the cost of a CLA there. What you don't want to do is consider sending it to Leica! They only have - apparently - one member of staff working on mechanical M's and their costs are very high. One of your local specialists will be a better option.

 

I bought my M2 (button rewind early model) via ebay some years ago, an impulse bid which I won. It was described as good working order but when the camera arrived I immediately noticed that the shutter was faulty. Fortunately the seller was helpful and offered a refund or to pay most of the cost of a CLA which I accepted. It's worked fine since then.

 

Good luck with your hunting!

Edited by earleygallery
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Tamarkin's warranty is excellent. I bought my M2 from him, 5 months later the shutter stopped opening at 1/1000, I shipped it to him and had it back within 2 weeks.

 

Youxin Ye charges $180 for a CLA, I don't know about Dag or Sherry.

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Thanks guys. I asked Tamarkin and they replied that CLA is done. Looked at the pictures. Clean. It is on its way. :)

 

Few old BW rolls already waiting in my desk drawer. :)

Edited by jmahto
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Excellent choice for a film Leica M. Congratulations!

 

Do check the rangefinder patch is distinct but clear. If it has the appearance of fine lines or hairs running through it, the glass in the frameline mask may be delaminating.

 

Owning MP, M2 and M4, the M2 is still the best conceived and best built M in my experience.

 

Enjoy!

 

J :)

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And I don't know if you are aware but the M2 is the only M with depth of field indicators in the viewfinder.  There are two notches adjacent to the rangefinder patch, one on top and one on the bottom.  If the width of the rangefinder images fall within the narrow one, then depth of field is good for f5.6.  If width of the images fall within the wider notch, then depth of field is good for f11.

 

So besides having the most elegant viewfinder for 35/50/90 users, it has a very useful but often ignored depth of field indicators.  I think you will enjoy the camera and Tamarkin is one of my favorite dealers.  I have been buying from them since the mid 1980's and have NEVER had a problem.

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And I don't know if you are aware but the M2 is the only M with depth of field indicators in the viewfinder. There are two notches adjacent to the rangefinder patch, one on top and one on the bottom. If the width of the rangefinder images fall within the narrow one, then depth of field is good for f5.6. If width of the images fall within the wider notch, then depth of field is good for f11.

 

So besides having the most elegant viewfinder for 35/50/90 users, it has a very useful but often ignored depth of field indicators. I think you will enjoy the camera and Tamarkin is one of my favorite dealers. I have been buying from them since the mid 1980's and have NEVER had a problem.

Thanks and wow... I googled and read more about DOF indicator. It is actually a very nice idea. Wondering why was it removed later. Certainly there is no extra cost for this feature.

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The DOF indicator started with the M2, but was also added to M3. My '55 M3 does not have it, but my '60 M3 does.

It was pretty limited usefulness, only for one focal length and 2 f-stops, so was dropped for M4 and later models.

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