lars_bergquist Posted February 4, 2012 Share #21 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) When finished, this overview should be made a sticky here. Â A commendable effort, but I will check the facts. To begin with the M3, the frame preview lever was absent only from the first batches produced. It went in already in 1955 (from #785891). The changeover to the modern, 'geometrical' shutter speed sequence too came already during the time of the single-stroke M3. It happened in 1957 from #854001, while the single-stroke film transport came in 1958 at #915251. Â The M3 was in a state of constant development during its entire production life, to the delight of collectors, but these are the changes that are functionally interesting. Â M2: A fact that should be interesting to American readers is the existence of the "M2R", which I presume you are aware of. It is practically never seen in Europe. This was of course a genuine functional change, of interest not only to collectors. Â M4: The really important change, beside the 135mm frame, was the new loading system which did not need a loose take-up spool, and which debuted with the military M2 or "M2R". Â M5: The TTL light metering, with the swing-in meter cell 'paddle' and the bulky galvanometer type meter display, was the reason for the ungainly size and shape of the camera. Â M4-2: Functionally, the only changes from the M4 (apart from the simplification of the finder optics) was (1) the spline-type motor coupling, (2) the hot shoe and (3) the removal of the self-timer. Â M4-P: Early cameras have brass top plates with recessed windows. It was in 1984, with the introduction of the M6, that the M4-P took over the M6 zinc top plate with its flush windows. Some specimens even have the M6 feature of the semi-silvered strip on the finder window, which is completely superfluous on the meter-less M4-P! Â M6/M6TTL: Nothing to add, except possibly the existence (with the TTL) of optional finder magnifications: 0.58x and 0.85x in addition to the traditional 0.72x. This did not come in with the M7. Â M7: OK Â MP: Essentially a revived and revised M6 with the digital metering system of the M6TTL and M7, shorn of the TTL flash option (this made the lower top plate possible). Â I will stop here, because you will probably have lots of input from owners of digital M cameras! But thanks, good work. Â The old man from the Age of the M3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 4, 2012 Posted February 4, 2012 Hi lars_bergquist, Take a look here An M System Overview (Article). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Double Negative Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share #22 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Thanks a lot, everyone! I really appreciate all the feedback. Â I'll get to making some more additions and corrections as pointed out by Jeff, Lars and Carl. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted February 4, 2012 Share #23 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Very nice and a useful reference. Â It would be nice to see someone do something like this with Leica Lenses. Each having a sample of their unique characteristics such as bokeh or what have you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share #24  Posted February 4, 2012 Very nice and a useful reference. It would be nice to see someone do something like this with Leica Lenses. Each having a sample of their unique characteristics such as bokeh or what have you.  Thanks, Paul! Yeah, that would be something else. I think logistically it might be hard to do unless one owned most of the lenses covered. But from a technical/spec point of view easily done. I may just do that.  ...I'll get to making some more additions and corrections as pointed out by Jeff, Lars and Carl.  Most everything suggested has been incorporated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share #25 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Battery information for M8/M9 models also added. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted February 4, 2012 Share #26  Posted February 4, 2012 Thanks, Paul! Yeah, that would be something else. I think logistically it might be hard to do unless one owned most of the lenses covered. But from a technical/spec point of view easily done. I may just do that.   Most everything suggested has been incorporated!  Yes it wouldn't be a quick project that's for sure! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 4, 2012 Share #27 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Congrats for this synopsis. Couple of points if you don't mind: Â M4-2: - "The changes included moving from an engraved Leica script to stamped": All scripts are engraved on mine (# 15255**). The M4-2 was the first body to exhibit the vulgar red dot BTW. Was just stuck on the vulcanite so it could be removed easily fortunately. - "a lesser vulcanite": Mine looks exactly like that of my M3 DS. Â M8.2: - "the red Leica logo/roundel is black": Only on the black version. That of the chrome version is still red. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 4, 2012 Author Share #28 Â Posted February 4, 2012 Congrats for this synopsis. Couple of points if you don't mind:Â M4-2: - "The changes included moving from an engraved Leica script to stamped": All scripts are engraved on mine (# 15255**). The M4-2 was the first body to exhibit the vulgar red dot BTW. Was just stuck on the vulcanite so it could be removed easily fortunately. - "a lesser vulcanite": Mine looks exactly like that of my M3 DS. Â M8.2: - "the red Leica logo/roundel is black": Only on the black version. That of the chrome version is still red. Â Thanks! Â Interesting. While the factory brochures all show the M4-2 with a red dot, those "in the field" all seem to lack it. Though with the later M4-P, they all have it. Either they've all fallen off over the course of time or people removed them as you mention. Can anyone verify, along with the engraving/stamping and vulcanite? Â I did update the black dot mention on the M8.2 earlier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 4, 2012 Share #29 Â Posted February 4, 2012 He he we were all more or less pompous asses then. We would have never bought a Leica with a ridiculous red thing if we could not remove it. Also, what's this story about stamped scripts. Stamped? The M4-2 was not sold like a poor's man Leica then. We did not know that the rangefinder had been simplified and we believed that the new body was a black M4 (chromes were very rare then) enhanced to fit the new "Leica Winder M4-2". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 5, 2012 Share #30  Posted February 5, 2012 M4-2 engravings. Even the little "R" of the rewind lever is engraved. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/167863-an-m-system-overview-article/?do=findComment&comment=1918307'>More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted February 5, 2012 Share #31 Â Posted February 5, 2012 The red Leitz (not 'Leica') roundel is shown in promotion pictures for the M4-2, but it seems to have been added only to the 50 first production cameras or so. It returned on the M4-P of course but it never irritated me. Â What DOES irritate me no end is the vulgar, large and ostentatious model letters and numbers on the front of the top plate, especially with black cameras. With my M8, the white filling did fortunately mostly fall off spontaneously, and I removed the remains with acetone. I have not dared do the same to my M9 as the finish is paint, not black chrome, so a piece of black tape went over it. As before, I don't mind the red dot. Â Upgrade to M9-P standard? I won't pay something like 15,000 SEK just to get rid of some tape ... But, grrr. Â The old man from the Dark Ages Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 5, 2012 Share #32  Posted February 5, 2012 The red Leitz (not 'Leica') roundel is shown in promotion pictures for the M4-2, but it seems to have been added only to the 50 first production cameras or so... ... or 100 first ones. That's what i read as well but mine is from 1979 and had one of those ugly auto sticks as well. The M4-2 below was said to be a "nullseries" from 1977 but its black strap lugs look curious. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/167863-an-m-system-overview-article/?do=findComment&comment=1918501'>More sharing options...
DES Posted February 5, 2012 Share #33 Â Posted February 5, 2012 Well Done!! Look forward to reading more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted February 6, 2012 Share #34  Posted February 6, 2012 Updated today to include a section on replacement batteries. Currently covers the M6, M6 TTL, M7 and MP. Digital bodies will be covered shortly. Enjoy!  Ah, Nothing on the M5 battery? The reason I did not go with one. Actually the only one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share #35 Â Posted February 6, 2012 I'll have to digest the new info and update accordingly. Â Ah, Nothing on the M5 battery? The reason I did not go with one. Actually the only one. Â What does it take? I'll add it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted February 6, 2012 Share #36  Posted February 6, 2012 I'll have to digest the new info and update accordingly.   What does it take? I'll add it.  Leica M5 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  The M5 exposure meter required the PX625 1.35 V mercuric oxide coin type cell which was banned because of its mercury content.  I had to retire my SL2's because they use the same battery. There are alternatives but they are not easily to come by. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share #37  Posted February 6, 2012 Leica M5 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The M5 exposure meter required the PX625 1.35 V mercuric oxide coin type cell which was banned because of its mercury content.  I had to retire my SL2's because they use the same battery. There are alternatives but they are not easily to come by.  Awesome. Updated the article to include the M5 info. Not surprising that Wein makes a replacement battery - I'm using their batteries in the Yashicamat 124G. I found mine on the 'bay pretty easily - did you check there? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamiji Posted February 6, 2012 Share #38 Â Posted February 6, 2012 Yes, I found them on ebay, importing them into China can be an issue. I found them on taobao (china's ebay), I may order from their, if i can figure out how it works... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share #39 Â Posted June 8, 2012 The overview has been updated, and now includes the M Monochrom! Â Overview of the M System Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ming Rider Posted June 24, 2012 Share #40 Â Posted June 24, 2012 Will the CL be appearing. It is a Leica and an M, only smaller. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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