Help - Leica M2 equipment value

[Lenscap]

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Can anybody help me by giving an estimate value on this equipment?

 

I inherited the following equipment, which was bought in the early 1960's. It was meticulously looked after and maintained. The overall condition can be decribed as ‘excellent’ with only a few consmetic blemishes. I will try my best to describe each item separately.

 

1. CAMERA -

LEICA M2 (ser. no. 1085857) ‘ERNST LEITZ GMBH WETZLAR GERMANY’. WITH ORIGINAL BOX + ORIGINAL BRIEF & FULL INSTRUCTION MANUALS. According to the ser. no. this camera was one of a batch (ser. no’s. 1085501 to 1088000) of 2 500 M2’s with the manufacturing date stated as 10/10/1963. There are no scratches or dents on the body as it was since new proteced by a (Leica) ever-ready leatherbag. However, there is a small scuff mark on the top which I suppose was caused by the lightmeter and there are two very small pieces of black leatherette missing from the bottom right hand sides (front & rear) of the camera. The windinglever action is smooth, the shutter and the selftimer works faultlessly.

 

2. LENS NO 1 –

LEICA 1:2/50 LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMICRON (ser. no. 1962882) + UVa FILTER + LEICA LENSCAP. Lens action is smooth & the condition is as new. (No box for this lens.)

 

3. LENS NO 2 –

LEICA 1:4/90 LEITZ WETZLAR ELMAR (ser. no. 2089316) + UVa FILTER + LEICA LENSCAP + SCREW-FIT PERSPEX DOME PROTECTOR + ORIGINAL BOX. Lens action is smooth and condition is as new apart from half the leatherette ‘ring’ that’s missing from the lens bottom.

 

4. LIGHTMETER –

LEICA MR Metrawatt A.G. Nürnberg Made in Germany (ser. no. 10995) + INSTRUCTION MANUAL. Working condition (like new).

 

5. CARRYBAG –

LEICA EVER-READY LEATHERBAG ‘LEITZ WETZLAR GERMANY’. Not ‘like new’ condition. But with nice patina on leather ... showing it’s age.

 

6. FLASHLIGHT –

ZEISS IKON Ikoblitz 5. ‘Echoblitz bounce flash’ (‘a réflecteur réglable flash Eco’) + loose ‘blue dot M6 flashbulbs’ (X9) in box. Original box. This is a real classic flashlight with a retractable reflector in a very good condition.

 

7. PROJECTOR/SLIDES –

LEITZ WETZLAR ‘pradolux’. Ernst Leitz GMBH Wetzlar Pradolux. (U = 110 – 240 V~; ’n Max = 120 W; Lampe: 12 V/100 W.) + Leitz plastic carry case with handle + magazine trays for slides (X4). Excellent condition.

 

8. LITERATURE –

8.1 LEICA GUIDE “How to work with all Leica models from 1 to M3” by W.D. Emanuel (136 pages). 38 th Edition 1963 © Focal Press Ltd. (London & New York).

8.2 LEICA R4 – Multi Mode Two Exposure Metering Methods (49 pages).

 

For any additional information or photographs (or higher resolution pics), please e-mail me.

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[earleygallery]

You can get a good idea of values by checking e bay for sold items, but the M2 is worth approx £400/500, the Summicron about £200 and the Elmar about £100. The other items are of little value really.

[Lenscap]

You can get a good idea of values by checking e bay for sold items, but the M2 is worth approx £400/500, the Summicron about £200 and the Elmar about £100. The other items are of little value really.

 

Thank you very much James. I'm very grateful for your imput as it provides me with a good guideline. I must admit, I'm (very) new to internet trading and will most definitely follow your advice & have a look at E-bay.

I also found the contact details for a local (South African) Leica dealer on the Leica website and asked for an evaluation of the equipment.

I work as a photo-journalist using Canon & Pentax film equipment for many years & only recently changed to Canon digital. I never used any Leica equipment myself, but really appreciate the quality of craftmanship and results my late uncle achieved.

Thanks again for your help.

Andries.

[andybarton]

Put a roll of your favourite film through it before you decide to sell. You know it's what your uncle would have wanted

 

You'll regret it if you don't.

[stunsworth]

James' advice is good, but so is Andy's. Try at least one or two rolls of film before you sell the equipment. An M2 is still an excellent camera.

[earleygallery]

Yes, the real advice should have been "don't worry about the value, just keep it and use it". It could be the perfect mechanical back up to your digital gear.

 

I bought an M2 last year and its getting lots of use. If you are definately selling, however, then there is a section of the forum for listing equipment. Also you will probably realise more by selling each item separately, camera body, lenses, case etc.

 

E bay is useful if you are unsure of values, because things tend to go for what they are worth as a private sale if they are listed correctly and with good clear photos (i.e. dealers prices are higher for obvious reasons).

[Lenscap]

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Yes, the real advice should have been "don't worry about the value, just keep it and use it". It could be the perfect mechanical back up to your digital gear.

 

I bought an M2 last year and its getting lots of use. If you are definately selling, however, then there is a section of the forum for listing equipment. Also you will probably realise more by selling each item separately, camera body, lenses, case etc.

 

E bay is useful if you are unsure of values, because things tend to go for what they are worth as a private sale if they are listed correctly and with good clear photos (i.e. dealers prices are higher for obvious reasons).

 

Thanks for the good advice Andy, Steve & James ... I'll go & get some film stock today.

Realising that the Leica equipment I inherited is definitely worth something, I firstly need an evaluation (value) for insurance purposes. Secondly, I must admit, I do consider selling it and use the proceeds to partly finance a semi-professional videocamera that my son (a filmschool student) needs.

I think I will only come to a final conclusion after 'feeling' the M2 & seeing the results!

Thanks a million for your advice.

Regards,

Andries.

[wizard]

The Elmar 4/90 lens may well be worth more than just 100 quid, as it is the famous 3-element Elmar lens which is sought after by collectors. Unfortunately, the missing piece of leatherette (or Vulkanit, to be precise) will diminish its value. It is, however, a very nice lens to use, with optical qualities almost on par with todays lenses.

 

Enjoy your set!

 

Andreas