The thrift store challenge is over. Student finds pristine Leica M2 for only $5
May 17, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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I like thrift stores as much as the next photographer. And garage sales, car boot sales, and other places where another man’s trash is my potential treasure. I’m a sucker for a good bargain. I thought I got a good deal a few years ago finding a Nikkormat FTn for a mere £1. And while I might’ve paid less for that FTn than Reddit user GreenteaBanana paid for this Leica M2, he certainly got a much better deal.
The typical value for a Leica M2 in this condition is around $850. The attached Elmar 50mm f/2.8 lens is worth around another $600-800. GreenteaBanana writes in his post, that this is “by far the best and most valuable thing I’ve found in years of thrifting”. He plans to use the camera during upcoming trips to Korea and Japan this summer. Then he’ll decide whether he enjoys it enough to keep it, or sell it on.
In case anyone is wondering the camera is in excellent condition and the body is worth about $850 while the lens adds another $600-800 in value. I’ve always checked through old cameras and wondered if one day I would ever find a Leica and here it is!
– GreenteaBanana
As a student, GreenteaBanana will be accustomed to looking for good deals. I don’t think he ever expected to find one quite like this, though.
I was quite pleased with my Nikkormat FTn find until I saw this. Although that Nikkormat does still get a lot of use, so I’m not too disheartened. Discoveries like my Nikkormat and GreenteaBanana’s Leica are pretty rare, though. But, it does go to show that there’s ridiculous deals everywhere. You just have to look hard enough and often enough, and hope nobody else beats you to it!
[via Reddit – Images used with permission]
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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2 responses to “The thrift store challenge is over. Student finds pristine Leica M2 for only $5”
I think this beats it.
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-billy-the-kid-photo-20151014-story.html
Where did you find your Nikkormat? I’ve always been interested in camera hunting this way in England, where do you go?