View Full Version : sweet new M2
I picked up my new M2 this afternoon after work and took it out to the coffee shop this evening. I got a few interesting shots I think. What a joy to USE! Photos made by this camera are coming soon, in the meanwhile, here is a picture of this camera. I guess it looks pretty much just like every other M2, but this one is mine. Just some meter marks on the top plate. Otherwise sweet, but this is a user, not a display princess!
Very nice, Frank! Congratulations!! :)
Frank,
I have an M2 as well and it is my favorite camera to shoot with. When I want to take off and wander around just shooting I always wind up with the M2. The simple, uncluttered viewfinder combined with the solid build makes it a joy to use.
No doubt you will enjoy yours. I'm looking forward to seeing some results!
Best Regards,
Bob
Nice.
I've certainly enjoyed using the M2 I've had on loan. But, I'm not tempted to trade the M6 for one!
tim
back alley
02-03-2005, 20:01
my favourite leica, very pretty!
congrats frank.
joe
Designer
02-03-2005, 23:07
Congratulations!! Frank,
A nice condition M2! :)
RubenBlaedel
02-03-2005, 23:10
what was the diffence between the M2 and the M3
what was the diffence between the M2 and the M3
The M2 shows 35mm framelines - but leaves out the 135mm so it has 35,50 and 90mm framelines in the viewfinder - It also has a few other little differences (such as a manual film counter + a few others I can't remember)
A lot of people seem to like it for it's more "simplistic" approach
Maybe somebody that actually owns one will chime in.
Congrats Frank! - looks great!
/Meakin
Congratulations on the new M, Frank! Looks just like mine... A sweet running machine, I'm sure you'll enjoy using it.
Nikon Bob
02-04-2005, 01:18
Looks like a keeper to me, congrats.
Bob
Beautifully matched with that Summicron. It makes my GAS itching flare up.
<joe mode on>
agree, it's beautiful, if i'm ever tempted by the dark side, i'll probably go for an m2
but still, it's no match for the p :cool:
<joe mode off>
The best camera is the Nikon SP, No ! The Leica M3... or was it the M2... ARRRGH !!!!!! :bang:
Now seriously, congrats Frank ! It indeed IS a beauty ! :)
Brian Sweeney
02-04-2005, 01:53
Very Nice Frank! The M2 is a fine camera! And congratulations to all the New Leica Owners for January!
I see that my "Display Subliminal Message" opcodes in the signature field is working.
Let's see, what camera should I put in the subliminal display for February... M3? Canon P?
Brian if you put the Canon P, be sure to get one first ! ;)
Brian Sweeney
02-04-2005, 02:00
Oscar,
I will be the first test subject.
SolaresLarrave
02-04-2005, 02:48
Another difference between the M3 and the M2: lack of self timer.
Frank, congratulations on becoming a Leicaphile! :)
The M2 shows 35mm framelines - but leaves out the 135mm so it has 35,50 and 90mm framelines in the viewfinder - It also has a few other little differences (such as a manual film counter + a few others I can't remember)
A lot of people seem to like it for it's more "simplistic" approach
Maybe somebody that actually owns one will chime in.
Congrats Frank! - looks great!
/Meakin
Meakin is right - the available framelines in M2 are 35, 50 and 90. Frank has an older type M2, with button rewind (that round button marked "R" on the left, viewed from the front). I think you have to keep that button pressed while you're rewinding film.
Also, Frank's M2 does not have the self-timer. I've got a later M2, which has both the rewind lever (you push it towards the lens, and it stays that way - which is obviously more practical, but not a big deal) and the self-timer.
As for the differences between the M2 and M3, the major one, IMHO, is the viewfinder magnification. The M3 has frames for 50, 90 and 135 mm and a larger magnification, which makes it ideal for lenses from 50mm up (i.e. up to 135mm) If you want to use 35mm lenses on M3, you have to either get a goggled lenses specifically made for M3 (clumsy, IMO), or use external finder - which (again IMHO) beats the purpose of Leica as a small and compact camera.
My M2 sports the CV Ultron 35/1.7 (thanks, Ralph!), and my Summicron 50/2 is on the M3. When I use longer lenses (Elmar C 90/4 or Hektor 135/4.5), I put them on the M3.
In short, if your lens combo is 35 and 50 mm (perhaps 90), then M2 is for you.
If you don't go wider than 50 (or 40mm), M3 might fit the bill.
What the heck, get them both, if you can!!! That's what I did :D
I know Brian will say it's a blasphemy, but I somehow prefer my M2. ;)
I should also say that, for those on a very tight budget, I'd heartily recommend a Kiev 4A (meterless!). Fitted with a Jupiter 8M, it's a machine very comparable to Leica - perhaps not quality-wise (Russian QC is sometimes referred to as "Russian roulette"), but in handling, it's an absolute gem. My only problem with the Kiev is small viewfinder - a potential problem for those of us wearing glasses. If you can live with that, and don't have the funds for a Leica, go with the Kiev, by all means! You won't regret it!
Well, even if you DO have a Leica, you might give the Kiev a spin! I'm sure you'll like it - particularly given the price :D
Denis
SolaresLarrave
02-04-2005, 04:56
I knew I was missing something when I saw the rewind button. And yes, some M2 have a self timer, others don't. Why? Call it Leica charm... which can also be seen in the fact that, for 4 years, they were making Summicron 90/2 lenses that had a f22 mark in the DOF scale, yet the aperture only went to f16. The reason? According to DAG's Don Goldberg, they probably ran out of parts.
I learned this when I observed my own 'cron 90/2 and noticed this discrepancy.
Frank, are you taking your M2 for a ride today? We want to see pics! :)
I took the M2 with me to my wife's doctor's appointment this morning. (He is happy with her progress post op. skin cancer.) I took a couple of shots while he was cleaning up the surgical site on her nose. Used a Jupiter 12 35mm lens. What a great stealthy documentary camera. I would have felt intrusive with a camera with a loud shutter. With the Leica I felt invisible. Neither of them realized I took pictures.
Frank good news on your wife. Your experience is why so many Leica owners are obsessing about the shutter noise of the new Bessas. I have a project with classical musicians and I have to have a very quiet camera. It seems that the new Bessas are too noisy for my application. :(
Denis explained the differences between M2 and M3 very well. Denis, I've a hankering for a 35mm lens and the CV 35/1.7 is on my short list of buy-it-now-rather-than-wait-for-the-summicron lenses. Do you have pics in your gallery taken w/ this lens? How 'bout pics of the camera w/ lens, and comments on handling characteristics? Thanks much.
Denis explained the differences between M2 and M3 very well. Denis, I've a hankering for a 35mm lens and the CV 35/1.7 is on my short list of buy-it-now-rather-than-wait-for-the-summicron lenses. Do you have pics in your gallery taken w/ this lens? How 'bout pics of the camera w/ lens, and comments on handling characteristics? Thanks much.
jja, if you want to see what can be done with Ultron, please take a look at Peter's gallery.
I'm sure most of the RFF members will admit that Peter is THE master with the Ultron. :)
I still have no Ultron shots uploaded, but will do it soon...
In the meantime, check out Peter's photos.
As for the looks - mine is pristine.
Handling: what can I say - it's the smoothest lens I have for my Leica. It has a short focus throw, which is a plus (at least for me).
In short, I don't think I'll be looking for a Leitz Summicron any more. I'm covered in 35mm focal length. It's THAT good :)
Denis
Thanks Denis, now the Ultron is on my very, very short list!
digitalox
02-04-2005, 06:15
Glad to hear your wife is doing well Frank. Congrats on the purchase, that looks to be a fine camera and now I will to check into the M2.
Peter I agree with ya, I love my Bessa but the CLANK of that shutter can be a real pain.
Brian Sweeney
02-04-2005, 06:45
No Blasphemy Denis, how could it be? Its like splitting hairs between "Terrific Camera" and "Great Camera". If you like the 35/50 combination, its the M2. If you like the 50/90 combination, its the M3. If you like 35/50/90/135, BUY BOTH the M2 and M3. Scenery, M2; Portraits, M3.
If you like the 35/50 combination, its the M2. If you like the 50/90 combination, its the M3. If you like 35/50/90/135, BUY BOTH the M2 and M3.Or Brian, if you like everything, buy an M6! ;)
Congrats on your "new" M, Frank. Enjoy!
richard_l
02-04-2005, 13:39
Today was the first sunny day in at least a week. I loaded my M2 with XP2 Super, stuck in a 50/2.8 Elmar-M with a yellow filter, and had a great time shooting some architectural stuff! It's the sweetest camera in the world, IMO. Hope you have as much fun with your M2 as I do with mine.
Frank, That M2 looks pretty darn good for a "user"! Enjoy it, buddy. Best regards, Bill
Thank you all. I finished my first roll of film and discovered to my delight that my camera with button rewind is one of those whose buttons lock in the rewind position and don't have to be continually held while rewinding.
st3ph3nm
02-04-2005, 22:01
Congrats Frank!
A well deserved treat for such a great member, here! And congrats on your wife's progress, too.
Am I envious? Why do you think this smiley is green? :D
Enjoy.
Cheers,
Steve
PS. Peter, perhaps you need a fixed lens leaf shutter RF as an interim (and whisper silent) measure? Kris will vouch for how quiet my Olympus XA is...
My borrowed M2 has to go back to it's owner this week. :eek:
I've only put about three rolls thru it, and mostly to give it a workout to see what was wrong with it (answer: nothing. Must have been user error). But what a lovely camera! It just feels smoother than the M6, nothing specific I can put my finger on tho. I think (from memory) the later cameras that supported motor drives had steel rather than brass gears, which made them stronger but feel a little harsher.
Anyway, the M2 has been very nice to use. I'm now going to see if I can get an M2 wind lever to put on my M6.......
tim
Peter, perhaps you need a fixed lens leaf shutter RF as an interim (and whisper silent) measure? Kris will vouch for how quiet my Olympus XA is...The thought has occurred to me Steve and I'm looking into it at the moment. I really do need an interchangeable lens body though.
Bill, welcome to the forum! That signature of yours (Wilyum) seems familiar. Are you a member of the Leica forum?
Brian Sweeney
02-05-2005, 04:40
Peter, as said before the price of user M2 and M3 cameras has come down to the point where $600~$800 will pick up a user with a CLA.
The lenses on the Retina IIIS are too slow for what you want, it is whisper quiet. The 85mm is limited to F4. The camera with a 35mm F2.8, 50mm F1.9, and 85mm F4 would go for ~$200.
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