Wisdom of Buying a Leica M2

[Axelwik]

The M2 is my favorite small travel camera. Just returned from Papua New Guinea with mine yesterday.

 

[Leikkor]

I have one, I like it.

 

[macrorie]

I only have direct experience with an M2 but I always knew that I wanted one because of the viewfinder simplicity. You will always see one set of framelines, either 35mm, 50mm or 90mm. I also knew it was unlikely my M shooting would extend to 28mm, 70mm or especially 135mm lenses. As discussed above, the big advantage of the M2 over the M3 is that it has 35mm framelines. However, one thing to know is that if you wear glasses those 35mm framelines can be hard to see all at once. The non-contact lenses solution to that is to use one of the goggled 35mm Leica lenses from the time of the M2, either a 35mm 3.5 Summaron or 35mm 2.8. They reduce the size of the 35mm framelines. Although I have a non-goggled 35mm 3.5 Summaron, and a Zeiss 35mm 2.8 Biogon, my dream is to someday get a Summaron 2.8 partly because of the viewfinder issue and partly because it is optically superb.

 

[GregY]

I only have direct experience with an M2 but I always knew that I wanted one because of the viewfinder simplicity. You will always see one set of framelines, either 35mm, 50mm or 90mm. I also knew it was unlikely my M shooting would extend to 28mm, 70mm or especially 135mm lenses. As discussed above, the big advantage of the M2 over the M3 is that it has 35mm framelines. However, one thing to know is that if you wear glasses those 35mm framelines can be hard to see all at once. The non-contact lenses solution to that is to use one of the goggled 35mm Leica lenses from the time of the M2, either a 35mm 3.5 Summaron or 35mm 2.8. They reduce the size of the 35mm framelines. Although I have a non-goggled 35mm 3.5 Summaron, and a Zeiss 35mm 2.8 Biogon, my dream is to someday get a Summaron 2.8 partly because of the viewfinder issue and partly because it is optically superb.

The Summaron is a beautiful lens, with great character. If possible, try out the goggled lens before you buy. For me it was bulky & changed the weight/balance of the M2 completely. I've been happier working with an auxiliary finder. I have had several SBLOO but lately the metal VC finder. With glasses on i can see the edges from an inch or so away.

 

[Saganich]

The wisdom is that, M2 or M3, you'll not need another camera. If your fortunate you will not want another camera either. I use the M3 more because I'm 90% DR Summicron. I picked up a 2.8 Summaron for the M3 but the vertical alignment in the RF patch was off and apparently this is a known problem that can occur with the googles and either isn't easy to fix or not fixable, so it was returned. So, careful with that. After I decided to go the external finder route for the 10% of the time I use 35mm focal length.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

The non-contact lenses solution to that is to use one of the goggled 35mm Leica lenses from the time of the M2, either a 35mm 3.5 Summaron or 35mm 2.8. They reduce the size of the 35mm framelines.

The goggle unit reduces the magnification of the entire viewfinder. My 35mm f/2 Summicron 8 element (which I should have never sold) triggered the 50mm frame. It was intended for the M3. On a M2 or M4, wouldn't you still use the 50 frame? As I recall, the 35 frame does not appear.

Some fleabag vendors sell the 35mm Summarons without the goggle unit. I am not sure if they are usable unless you find another correct goggle.

Update: I corrected to 35mm. I also have a 50 DR, but I meant the 35mm.

 

[Jonathan-sv]

The goggles on the DR summicron and the 35mm lenses 'for the M3' do two different things.

Goggles for the DR Summicron are for close focusing, and the lens works fine without them for longer distances. I rarely use them because I generally am not focusing on things close up.

The goggles on the 35mm lenses are to 'fix' the 50mm framelines that are triggered so the what you see corresponds to a 35 mm lens. These lenses trigger the 50mm frameline. You can even put a ggogled 35mm lens on any M camera, they are not just for the M3.

 

[thomasw_]

The Leica M2-R and the M3 are the finest build-wise and functionality-wise RF cameras I have ever used, which includes the newer Leica MPs. Be sure to check the brightness/contrast of the RF in any Leica before buying it.