michaelwj Posted June 17, 2017 Share #1  Posted June 17, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I find myself in a bit of an odd situation. I've had an M6 for 6 years, and shot about 300+ rolls of film with it. Recently I got an M4 (in serious user condition) as a backup and to use with my second lens. Anyway, I ended up selling my second lens and now find myself reaching only for the M4 and my once loved M6 had been on the shelf. I made a decision that I just wanted one camera, so listed my M4 on eBay (with the idea that my M6 was a bit sentimental - my first M), but my M4 hasn't sold and I'm still reaching for it over my M6. Today I decided that I really don't appear to like the M6 - I never reached for it and it was seriously worn so I decided to sell it. I listed it at what I thought was a high price (over 2x what I paid for it) to just test the waters, but it sold almost instantly (obviously I didn't list it high enough  ).  So now to my question - sort of. I want to change my user M4 for a nice black M2 or M4 to use, not collect. My budget ($2000-$2500 AUD) stretches to a repainted black paint M2 or a black chrome M4 - so I've narrowed it down to those two. I'm not really keen on chrome cameras - my current M4 is chrome and I don't really like the look of it (I know I'm super shallow  ).  So now my question, what is the collective group thought on repainted M2's vs black chrome M4's?  FWIW I only use a 35mm and don't anticipate getting a 135mm lens (which the M4 could use over the M2) and on the M4 I find the 135mm framelines get a bit annoying in the 35mm frame.  Thanks in advance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 17, 2017 Posted June 17, 2017 Hi michaelwj, Take a look here Repainted M2 or black chrome M4?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Mute-on Posted June 17, 2017 Share #2  Posted June 17, 2017 I have an M2 and a BP M4. I'd get the black chrome M4. An M2 should be chrome or original BP. With the M4, there are more options. Black chrome is rare, attractive and desirable. Get the M4  Cheers  J   Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted June 17, 2017 Share #3 Â Posted June 17, 2017 Michael, not that simple for me neither. Â And if you ask yourself which one M2 or M4 tick your bill as user leaving apart the body finish. Â In repainted M2, you may find only black paint. M4 exist as BP or Black Chrome to choose from. I used two M4 (one BP and one BC) but now they are "bettered" by two M-A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share #4 Â Posted June 17, 2017 That was my original thought - ideally a Canadian one to go with my Canadian Summilux, but I find myself looking a repaint M2s too! And the 135mm framelines... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted June 17, 2017 Share #5 Â Posted June 17, 2017 In M4 + 35mm, the 135 frame lines I use as guidance for composition. Some may have them removed by a tech (it's easy). Â As side note, my one M2 has M4's finder and it's great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share #6 Â Posted June 17, 2017 In M4 + 35mm, the 135 frame lines I use as guidance for composition. Some may have them removed by a tech (it's easy). Â As side note, my one M2 has M4's finder and it's great. Mmmm, I will admit I using the 135mm frame to make sure my horizons are horizontal... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share #7 Â Posted June 17, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Michael, not that simple for me neither. Â And if you ask yourself which one M2 or M4 tick your bill as user leaving apart the body finish. Â In repainted M2, you may find only black paint. M4 exist as BP or Black Chrome to choose from. I used two M4 (one BP and one BC) but now they are "bettered" by two M-A. It's not that simple, as a user either the M2 or M4 is nice. As for the BP M4, I'd like an original but they have risen far beyond what I'm willing to pay. Essentially I'll be swapping an user M6 and a user M4 for one camera, I don't want to start adding in extra cash - I'd prefer to spend it on film! To be honest I never really considered the BC M4 until I held the BC M-A, it is beautiful, but way out of my price range - and I use the self timer a bit too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted June 17, 2017 Share #8 Â Posted June 17, 2017 Far from user market, I have no idea how expensive are M4 BP or BC. But I think that repainted M2 cost less than either M4 BP or BC. In France, I have seen some nice repainted M2s at 1100 to 1300 euros which were sold quickly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share #9 Â Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) Repainted M2s are in AUD 1800-2200, BC M4 2200-4500 (seems to depend on the seller rather than condition with nice German ones about 2400, Canadian about 3300 and 50th anniversary 4500) and BP M4s from 3700 up. Edited June 17, 2017 by michaelwj Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted June 17, 2017 Share #10  Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) that's a lot money, I use one 50th M4 and a plain BP M4 (not in this image) :  Seen in this thread  https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236926-i-love-my-m-a/page-2  Edited June 17, 2017 by a.noctilux Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share #11 Â Posted June 17, 2017 It a big number, but everything is expensive in Australia, although our wages are high, so it's all the same in the end! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted June 17, 2017 Share #12 Â Posted June 17, 2017 In the end, M2 or M4, I hope that you enjoy your photography. Â Pleasure of use is the most important for me, as I don't have clients to tell me what to photograph (...for their clients ! ). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwino Posted June 17, 2017 Share #13 Â Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) I'd vote for a M4, as it's overall an easier camera to use. Â But really, you should have two Ms... ;-) Edited June 17, 2017 by oldwino 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frase Posted June 17, 2017 Share #14  Posted June 17, 2017 £1000 ish will get you a user black chrome or £2000 for black paint in the uk. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ko.Fe. Posted June 17, 2017 Share #15 Â Posted June 17, 2017 You must have really mild climate where you are. With plenty of clouds. I went to take pictures today and local weather is hell. My black bag was oven inside, but M3 and white lens on it reflected this crappy sun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share #16 Â Posted June 17, 2017 The opposite KoFe! In summer it is very hot and humid, but you keep out of the sun or you will melt. The colour of the camera wouldn't make a difference. On the other hand, winter is very mild, 20-25C and sunny. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted June 18, 2017 Share #17  Posted June 18, 2017 (edited) So now my question, what is the collective group thought on repainted M2's vs black chrome M4's?  FWIW I only use a 35mm  If you can deal with the M2 loading spool, then I suggest the M2. I love the clean viewfinder of the M2. Put some money aside for a possible CLA, however good judgement suggests that a repaint has already been been cleaned while disassembled. (But we never know.)  Regarding the loading spool, there is a Leica Rapid Load Kit that worked very well for me. We have a subscriber here named 'Stray Cat' who has one of my M2s with the Rapid Load. Inquire with him, or he might chime in here. . Edited June 18, 2017 by pico Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share #18 Â Posted June 18, 2017 Hi pico, I thought that you might chime in for the M2. The take up spool of the M2 vs the quick load M4 is a bit 50-50 for me. While the M2 is a little slower, it is more secure. On the other hand, sometimes I manage to mis-load my M4/6... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted June 18, 2017 Share #19  Posted June 18, 2017 Talking about loading: - my first M was (very long time ago) a second hand silver M4, perfect camera with nothing to care about, but needed CLA from time to time - after that holy time came other M (M5 with "perfect inbody meter", M6 modernised of all, ... M3 to try, ...MP why not) all easy loading and more features - then one day I have M2 and some more, this one is the less practical of M (to be honest it would be MDa but that is another story) - I do like the crude M2 with "minimum syndical" (in french, sorry I don't know the term in english) - M2 not easy (but safest as you said) loading as I discovered later with LTM Leica - the not self-reset counter is very visible on M2 - one add-on late batch M2 that is a move in wrong direction is the one with finder and dof indicator on patch  As side note, if you buy one send it to be CLAnd by one reputed tech to have one "perfect" to use with pleasure and pride. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Sellitto Posted June 25, 2017 Share #20 Â Posted June 25, 2017 I have 2 M4 cameras. One chrome and a black paint. Perfect cameras for 35mm lenses and quick loading mechanism is a plus! Â Frank Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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