Wisdom of Buying a Leica M2

[RezaLoghme]

Who of you owns a M2 and can share some wisdom? I am looking to buy from Leica, or from a reputable dealer, as I cannot CLA it myself and am ok with paying a bit more in exchange for some sort of warranty/ability to return the camera just in case.

Extra questions: which lens - collapsible, or 3rd party? And - M4/M6...are they alternatives, I am looking for a no-frills understated travel camera.

Thank you!

 

[mshchem]

M2 is a lovely camera, I like it over an M3. I would look at a Wetzlar made M4 as well, easy to load, canted rewind crank. Perfect and beautiful to behold.

The new M6 is now readily available. I don't really use the meter much but it's nice to have. I love Leica cameras, negative is tiny compared to 6x7- 6x9.

I agree you need a nice camera that's been serviced. Cosina Zeiss and Voigtlander lenses are fabulous. Collapsible is neat, but nah!

 

[RezaLoghme]

Yes I have tried to understand the differences between models. The dot-less cameras in their purest form is what I would love most. Rewind crank does not bother me much, but I have read (mis-read?) that I need to cut the film a bit in order to put it into the takeup spool? not a big problem, I would rather like to search for a nice Leica (Leitz? Zwilling?) pair of scissors.

 

[brbo]

You don't need to cut the leader to load film into M2 or M3.

 

[RezaLoghme]

So that was only for the older Leicas (the ones with 2 viewfinders)?

 

[PHOTOTONE]

So that was only for the older Leicas (the ones with 2 viewfinders)?

That only applies to the older Leicas that do not have a swing up back.

 

[Ballinderry-Michael]

This London firm usually has an interesting selection of Leica equipment. Only two M2s right now; but they come and go.

 

[mshchem]

So that was only for the older Leicas (the ones with 2 viewfinders)?

Screw mount Leicas.

 

[chuckroast]

Who of you owns a M2 and can share some wisdom? I am looking to buy from Leica, or from a reputable dealer, as I cannot CLA it myself and am ok with paying a bit more in exchange for some sort of warranty/ability to return the camera just in case.

Extra questions: which lens - collapsible, or 3rd party? And - M4/M6...are they alternatives, I am looking for a no-frills understated travel camera.

Thank you!

(Note that prices below are for US service work. No idea what the European situation is.)

I have an M2 that was serviced by DAG late last year. It's not cosmetically perfect but it's very clean and runs flawlessly. IMHO, the M2 and M5 have the best finders Leica ever made. I chose the M2 over the M3 because I shoot with a 35mm f/2 ASPH Summicron a lot and the M2 shows the proper frame lines for that focal length, which the M3 cannot do without aux goggles. In many respects, the M2 and M3 are kind of the "purest" M series Leicas.

The M4 is a good alternative but you're going to pay nosebleed prices for them these days. I see them selling for over $2000. You can get a decent M2 and pay the $600 for the CLA and still be under that.

I think the quick load feature of the M4 is nice, but it's kind of overrated (my M5 has the same thing). I've never been in such a hurry that pulling the spool from the M2 to load was much of a burden. Ditto the rewind knob which I've never found to be an issue on the M2 contrary to much of the internet chatter.

I similarly think the M6 is a very expensive alternative that doesn't do much more than add a meter - and you can get a handheld meter to one that fits into the flash shoe for a lot less than the difference between an M2 and M6 price.

I have a collapsible 50mm 'cron in LTM that I also use on my M2 with an adapter ring. I also have a V3 50mm Summicron M. Both have been CLAed and both are terrific lenses but they have a slightly different look. The V3 is slightly sharper and contrastier but I don't see the difference as night and day. If I didn't have a IIIF body, I wouldn't own the collapsible.

My recommendation is to buy a camera that is cosmetically clean with good vulcanite and mentally add $600 for a CLA to see if it's worth the money. My M2 was made in 1961, so a CLA 62 years later seems reasonable. Either that, or find one just CLAed with proof of the work, which is how I got mine.

 

[RezaLoghme]

I chose the M2 over the M3 because I shoot with a 35mm f/2 ASPH Summicron a lot and the M2 shows the proper frame lines for that focal length, which the M3 cannot do without aux goggles.

(...)

In many respects, the M2 and M3 are kind of the "purest" M series Leicas.

(...)

I've never been in such a hurry that pulling the spool from the M2 to load was much of a burden. Ditto the rewind knob which I've never found to be an issue on the M2 contrary to much of the internet chatter.

I similarly think the M6 is a very expensive alternative that doesn't do much more than add a meter

(...)

(...) If I didn't have a IIIF body, I wouldn't own the collapsible.

(...)

My M2 was made in 1961, so a CLA 62 years later seems reasonable.

Thank you - I will take your input and add it to my little "vademecum" I am building for my plan.

 

[cliveh]

It is my camera of choice. See below and I think they also have a shop: -

OstLicht Auction

www.ostlicht-auction.com

Camera Shop (Buy & Sell) | JO GEIER

Historical cameras, lenses, and accessories for collectors and photography enthusiasts. Visit us in our online shop or in Vienna.

www.jogeier.com

 

[Dali]

I like my M2 apart from film loading which is a PITA. If I had to buy a Leica M again, I would go for a M4.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Jo Geier seem to be an interesting shop, but aimed at real collectors.

 

[logan2z]

My M2 has quickly become my favorite Leica camera. I don't mind the film loading at all - in fact, I prefer it to the quick load system of my M-A and M4. If your primary focal length is 35mm, the M2 is the Leica film camera to get IMHO.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Whats so complicated - I have seen a video, but never done it myself. Is it a pain in the neck when not loading the camera at a desk, but somewhere outside?

 

[logan2z]

Whats so complicated - I have seen a video, but never done it myself. Is it a pain in the neck when not loading the camera at a desk, but somewhere outside?

Loading the film is dead simple - I don't see any reason why you would struggle doing it no matter where you are.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Somebody else, not me, said its a PITA, ask him.

 

[logan2z]

FYI, CameraWorks UK makes a quick load kit that can be retrofitted to the M2 if you don't gel with the M2 loading system.

Leica Rapid Load Film Kit Leica M - Efficient DIY Installation

Fulfilled by cameraworks-uk, Bury, UK wordwide. FREE shipping! Introducing the Leica Rapid Load Kit (RLK) – a revolutionary upgrade designed to bring the streamlined efficiency of M6 film loading to your beloved M2 and M3 cameras. Our RLK, meticulously engineered for a perfect fit, comes as a...

www.cameraworks-uk.com

Leica made one at one point as well. You can probably find a used one somewhere.

Leica 14260 Quick Load Kit ............ MINT w/Box | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Leica 14260 Quick Load Kit ............ MINT w/Box at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[chuckroast]

I like my M2 apart from film loading which is a PITA. If I had to buy a Leica M again, I would go for a M4.

Interesting. I have a IIIf, an M2, and an M5. In my experience, they all take roughly the same time to load. The slight benefit you can from the fast load of the M4/M5 isn't really that great in my experience. Pulling the IIIf spool is a REAL pain, so I carry plastic tweezers to do that. After that, it's pretty much a breeze. The M2 spool is easy to pull by hand.

Then again, I'm never all that much in a hurry. I suppose if I were shooting fast, the M4 and after fast loading reel would matter more to me. Everyone's mileage varies ...

 

[Don_ih]

Is it a pain in the neck when not loading the camera at a desk, but somewhere outside?

It becomes a pain if you drop the takeup spool when you pull it out of the camera. That's the main failing of it. Actually loading film is easy - and more reliable than the tulip (in my experience).

 

[Dali]

If loading a M3 or a M2 was that easy and convenient, why did Leica feel the need to improve it and why no other manufacturer copied the M3 / M2 loading design?

 

[chuckroast]

https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/leica-man.htmIf loading a M3 or a M2 was that easy and convenient, why did Leica feel the need to improve it and why no other manufacturer copied the M3 / M2 loading design?

I think the point is that it's an improvement, but a pretty small one. Personally, I find all my Leica's clumsy to load compared to, say, my Nikons, where the back comes off, or at least opens for easy access. But "clumsy" isn't deadly and it doesn't prevent me from shooting Leica.

As to why Leica did this, it's probably partly because of their obsession with detail and partly to encourage people to buy their new camera.

There are certain buyers for whom having the latest thing is the goal, not necessarily using it. So, constantly tweaking an established design keeps them trading up regularly, and gives the rest of us quality used goods from which to choose.

Ken Rockwell Review

 

[Dali]

chuckroast, it does not prevent me from using it but think it is not the strongest point of the M2. Let's say it is the LTM camera legacy (minus the film leader trimming) to be more politically correct...

 

[chuckroast]

chuckroast, it does not prevent me from using it but think it is not the strongest point of the M2. Let's say it is the LTM camera legacy (minus the film leader trimming) to be more politically correct...

Sure, there is a continuous line of design evolution from the LTM cameras to the M3, M2, M4, M5, and so on.

My only point was that the loading isn't spectacularly easier on the later bodies. It IS easier, but it's not enough so that I'd buy a newer body on that basis.

That said, I have a SVOOP spool on the way for my IIIf because my fingers have a really hard time getting the original takeup reel out of the camera.

 

[4season]

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 own a collapsible 50/2 Summicron, and it's a good performer, but it's rather heavy and not cheap. Were 50/3.5 Elmars still readily available in the <150 USD price range, that might be an obvious alternative. But I'd expect modern Cosina Voigtländer to have superior optics. The current 50/2 Apo-Lanthar is perhaps the finest 50 mm I have ever used, but it doesn't collapse, it's not sold in chrome finish, and mine isn't M-mount (E and M mount versions have slightly different optics).