Wisdom of Buying a Leica M2

[chuckroast]

IMO, the more utilitarian M cameras (M6, M7, etc) are the best shooters, while the older cameras have prettier detailing. If I were going to buy another one today, I might look at chrome M4 as a decent compromise at prices which aren't too crazy. Style-wise, it doesn't thrill me, but it's a fine camera.

I've never even seen an M7, but I've read that they were plagued with reliability issues. Any idea what these were about?

 

[4season]

I've never even seen an M7, but I've read that they were plagued with reliability issues. Any idea what these were about?

No direct experience with that one, but I'm sure you can find details about that elsewhere. I did own an M8 and M9 and was very fond of them at the time, but Leica's electronics always struck me as beta-quality.

 

[guangong]

I bought my M4 new, and shortly later a used M3 SS (early 1970s). My wife bought her M5 new the day camera was first delivered to store. All have worked flawlessly since then. I have never noticed any difference in the quality of the viewfinders. I have never used an M2. Overall, quality of materials and construction, according to friends who worked at Leitz, for M2,3,4, and 5 were superior to later models. Any of these cameras are a good choice, considering good overall condition of candidate being considered for purchase. As I remember, the M2 was a stopgap until availability of M4.
Keep in mind that this level of camera quality and design will never appear again. Over half century and still like new was not a bad investment.

 

[chuckroast]

I bought my M4 new, and shortly later a used M3 SS (early 1970s). My wife bought her M5 new the day camera was first delivered to store. All have worked flawlessly since then. I have never noticed any difference in the quality of the viewfinders. I have never used an M2. Overall, quality of materials and construction, according to friends who worked at Leitz, for M2,3,4, and 5 were superior to later models. Any of these cameras are a good choice, considering good overall condition of candidate being considered for purchase. As I remember, the M2 was a stopgap until availability of M4.
Keep in mind that this level of camera quality and design will never appear again. Over half century and still like new was not a bad investment.

Absolutely. I finally CLAed my 1955 IIIf last year, a mere 69 years after being built.

My 1961 M2 got CLAed last year as as well - 63 years after being built.

I just had my 1974 M5 CLAed - 50 years after build, and it didn't absolutely need it. I did that one to protect my investment for the future.

The only other things I have with that kind of service life are my old mechanical Nikons and my large format shutters.

Show me anything else that holds up that well over time.

It's just astonishing how well made these cameras are. The problem is that the people who can maintain them when they do need help are a dwindling breed, hence my recent CLA festival across multiple bodies, lenses, and brands.

 

[GregY]

I've never even seen an M7, but I've read that they were plagued with reliability issues. Any idea what these were about?

I recall the issue wasn't reliability, but that the electronic parts/circuit boards are no longer available.

 

[GregY]

I bought my M4 new, and shortly later a used M3 SS (early 1970s). My wife bought her M5 new the day camera was first delivered to store. All have worked flawlessly since then. I have never noticed any difference in the quality of the viewfinders. I have never used an M2. Overall, quality of materials and construction, according to friends who worked at Leitz, for M2,3,4, and 5 were superior to later models. Any of these cameras are a good choice, considering good overall condition of candidate being considered for purchase. As I remember, the M2 was a stopgap until availability of M4.
Keep in mind that this level of camera quality and design will never appear again. Over half century and still like new was not a bad investment.

G, 82,000 units and production for 11 years between 1957 and '68, I wouldn't call that a stopgap.....

 

[warden]

Keep in mind that this level of camera quality and design will never appear again.

I really hope you’re wrong there, but I suspect you’re right. All the more reason to get a Leica if you think you’ll like it.

If you find a Leica that you get along with it’ll outlast you.

 

[fiddle]

Throughout the years Ive owned an M7, M6 ttl and an M6 classic.
I have settled on an M2 for the past 6 years or so..
M6 classic started to show meter problems, and with no repairs available, decided to go fully mechanical. I find no difference between using any of these models, they all work. M2 might be a little more fidgity to load, no meter, but besides that, works just as well.

 

[GregY]

Throughout the years Ive owned an M7, M6 ttl and an M6 classic.
I have settled on an M2 for the past 6 years or so..
M6 classic started to show meter problems, and with no repairs available, decided to go fully mechanical. I find no difference between using any of these models, they all work. M2 might be a little more fidgity to load, no meter, but besides that, works just as well.

Leica did make an upgrade insert to convert the M2 to the M4 style loading.

 

[fiddle]

Only on a certain model M2, forget which exactly, I believe it was a button rewind. I dont have that one, upgrade does not work for mine.

 

[GregY]

Only on a certain model M2, forget which exactly, I believe it was a button rewind. I dont have that one, upgrade does not work for mine.

To me it doesn't matter much...... if you've ever loaded any 120 film camera, it's not that big a deal.

 

[fiddle]

No, not a big deal, deffinately more fidgity than the quickload for sure though. At some point a few years ago I bought an extra spool, so have a pre-spooled roll in my bag, just a quick drop into the camera. Easier while walking around.

 

[mshchem]

If you follow the instruction manual every Leica is easy to load.

 

[GregY]

If you follow the instruction manual every Leica is easy to load.

IMO it's not the loading....it's mostly the inconvenience....& depends on juggling or pockets. You remove the baseplate, you remove the spool, then you have the old & new rolls of film. I mostly worked w 2 cameras so i wouldn't miss shots when one ran out. But the M2 is still one of my favourite cameras.

 

[madNbad]

IMO it's not the loading....it's mostly the inconvenience....& depends on juggling or pockets. You remove the baseplate, you remove the spool, then you have the old & new rolls of film. I mostly worked w 2 cameras so i wouldn't miss shots when one ran out. But the M2 is still one of my favourite cameras.

When I owned a M2, I had an extra spool and a roll of film with the leader fed under the tab. It was just as fast as the rapid load and way more secure.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Ok thank you all for commenting on the loading part.

Anything else that I should be specifically aware of?

 

[madNbad]

When you slide the leader under the tab, yo should see an arrow pointing in the direction of the rewind. Also, slip the leader under the tab by sliding it in from above instead of trying to push it in from the end. It's not much slower than the rapid load, it just takes some practice.

 

[brbo]

If you are smart and dextrous enough to button your shirt, you will be able to load a Leica. Any Leica. With no problems. Even without spending a day reading about it on internets...

And carrying an extra spool already attached to a roll of film will save you 2 seconds at best and prevent you to carry your roll of film safely stored in a canister.

 

[mshchem]

Ok thank you all for commenting on the loading part.

Anything else that I should be specifically aware of?

Beautiful finder, 35mm, 50mm and 90mm lenses have frame lines, perfect! My first M2 had a vintage Summilux 50 1.4 gorgeous camera and lens. M2 is a really wonderful camera. Has a manual exposure counter wheel, easy to reset on top.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Thank you!
Am looking for 35mm ones - even contemporary Voigtlaenders.

 

[jimjm]

I'm in agreement with mshchem. I use 35mm as my "standard" lens and I find the M2 to be incredibly elegant, simple and easy to use. You only see the framelines for the lens you have mounted, and the rangefinder patch, and that's it. Film loading is not an issue once you get used to it.
I use a shoe-mount meter or a small hand-held meter, but sometimes also use "sunny-16".
I had a CLA done about 15 years ago and it's still very smooth and extremely quiet.
There's a big selection of 35mm lenses available, I've been using a 35/1.4 Voigtlander for a while now and have been really happy with it. I've been tempted by one of the modern Zeiss 35 Biogons as well.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I have no clue about the modern Voigtländers but it seems they have some fairly fast ones!

 

[GregY]

I have no clue about the modern Voigtländers but it seems they have some fairly fast ones!

Voightlander/Cosina makes some fine lenses. Here's a photo with the 35mm 1.4 ( Version ll, S.C.) wide open. The one that attracts me most is the new Leica steel-rim Summilux 35mm.

 

[cliveh]

The best thing about a M2 is the frame lines within the viewfinder, which allow you to see above, below and side to side, what is just out of shot.

 

[RezaLoghme]

A hell of a pic!!