What would you pay for this setup?

[Me Leica!]

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I've seen a very interesting offer on an auction site here (I live in Japan).

Leica S2 with replaced sensor (paperwork included to prove this)

Summarit 70mm F2.5 with replaced focus motor (paperwork also included)

Two batteries (and charger for two batteries)

Bunch of other things like remote cable release, etc.

The seller has an excellent feedback score and the fact he has included the details and paperwork about the replaced sensor and focus motor strongly suggests that he knows the background of the S series (I've seen other S cameras and lenses listed at cheaper prices, but they make no mention at all about the sensor and/or focus motor, which is a dealbreaker for me).

He initially set the price at 700,000 yen (a little over 5000 USD or a little under 5000 EUR), which I'm pretty sure was just a test balloon, because he's already knocked 4 per cent off it and re-listed it. If he's serious about selling it and is going to regularly drop the price by a few percent, it will eventually start going from "yeah, you wish" to "that's worth considering".

Assuming both the camera and seller are legitimate, what kind of price would you be willing to bid for this combination? Ballpark figures in either USD, EUR, or Japanese yen are fine.

Thanks in advance!

 

Edited February 17, 2023 by Me Leica!
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[Photon42]

I don't really want to comment too much on the price. After all you can google yourself the Ebay listings and ask Leica what it costs to replace the sensor glass (if they still do it for the S2).

Things to consider: this S2 is now certainly ten years old or even older. If you can, try to figure out the usage. Most S cameras are in the hands amateurs, so that is probably fine. As you live in a humid environment, I definitely recommend going for an S2/006 with replaced sensor. Humidity to my knowledge is a large influencing factor for "sensor corrosion". Make sure you get the original battery charger. The twin charger is not really convenient outside a studio.

There will be always people how tell you about their great deals and how cheap they got something. If you go for an S, that is likely not your last purchase in this system. As always with goods and especially with used ones: Buy the seller. If the present owner used it, liked it and you have the feeling he is honest, why not? Just make a reasonable offer to him. It is a nice camera still. I still have my S2 I bought used in 2017.

[Einst_Stein]

I think that price is fine, though if you wait and watch carefully, you might get somewhat better deal, may be 10~20% less?

Since it has been well taken cared, I see no problem for its age.  This is Leica, not come-and-go mass market stuffs. I also don't see the ISO is really shy of anything. Most likely you are going to use in the field with good tripod, or in studio with good lighting, or with both. You are not going to to use it on street during night, do you?    

Buying Leica is not just buying the camera or lens, you are also buying the company and its HW & SW support.  

Edited February 27, 2023 by Einst_Stein