bayerische Posted August 24, 2007 Share #1 Posted August 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys, I'm heading in a months time for a vacation to Florida, and I thought of the idea of getting a cheap film M camera as a backup in case those trolls from the Leica factory awakes. I could get hold of a M2 for around 250e. The shop who is selling is s the same place where I got my M8, and the price tag even says "guarantee to the door". Can an old M2 still be trusted? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 24, 2007 Posted August 24, 2007 Hi bayerische, Take a look here Cheap M2 as a fool proof backup for my M8?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wizard Posted August 24, 2007 Share #2 Posted August 24, 2007 Can an old M2 still be trusted? Well, if it has been used until recently and/or checked lately, it should work just fine! I use an M3 from 1966, and in some ways it works better than my M7. I had the M3 CLAed, however, since it had been lying around for decades before I bought it. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted August 24, 2007 Share #3 Posted August 24, 2007 Find out if it's had a recent CLA...I see no reason why it shouldn't be a perfectly able backup / companion to the M8. Just be aware of the framelines and you should be fine. FWIW - I have a 41 year old M3 I use in addition to my other 2 M film bodies, and have no qualms about using it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayerische Posted August 24, 2007 Author Share #4 Posted August 24, 2007 OK, what do you think about the price? It's also kind of rough looking with a bunch of stories in the form of marks and scraches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted August 24, 2007 Share #5 Posted August 24, 2007 I recently bought an M2 as a companion to my other Leica rangefinder as well - but that's a lllf !!! It had a CLA as the shutter wasn't working properly but now its fine and I see no reason why it shouldn't last another 50 yrs! €250 is a total bargain if its functioning - if you don't buy it let me know where it is and I will. Even allowing for a CLA its not a bad price. Check the shutter (you can tell if its working ok if it makes the 'right' sound at 1/15th - compare it with another mechanical M to see what I mean). Check the curtains for pinholes (ideally shine a bright lamp/torch into the lens mount), film advance, and make sure the rangefinder is OK. As long as the above is fine the rest is just cosmetic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayerische Posted August 24, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted August 24, 2007 OR, how about a Leica CL?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted August 25, 2007 Share #7 Posted August 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just a word of warning - an M2 is not fool proof... you have to engage your brain before using it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StS Posted August 25, 2007 Share #8 Posted August 25, 2007 My recommendation would be to make a deal having the option to give back the camera after exposing a test film. I bought a lot of used cameras, all faulty ones showed their issues on the first film so far. Some of my favourite images were done when exposing such a test film, one dealer wanted to have the camera back within the day. If you need to fill a roll in short time, it seems to push creativity Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianv Posted August 25, 2007 Share #9 Posted August 25, 2007 An M2 is a very reliable camera- but it is old and you need to check it out. I bought a "cheap M2" wand had it CLA'd. It's quite reliable NOW. It is more reliable than any Digital camera can be. Just less to fail. With that said, my oldest DSLR is from 1992 and it still works nicely. But I have taken it apart several times to fix the connections to the built in Hard-Drive. Things to check that are not quite as fast as looking through the viewfinder and dry-firing it: 1)Shutter capping at higher speeds; 2) Slow Speeds- usually have a nice little "run-on" after the shutter closed; 3) Flash Sync; 4) Light leaks. Shoot a roll of film through it before relying on it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted August 25, 2007 Share #10 Posted August 25, 2007 Use your M8, period. There is no reason to become paranoid about camera failure. since this is not for professional reasons, failure is not the end of the world and since you can see your pics almost instantaneously, you know if its working. Save some money and relax.-Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayerische Posted August 25, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted August 25, 2007 Use your M8, period. There is no reason to become paranoid about camera failure. since this is not for professional reasons, failure is not the end of the world and since you can see your pics almost instantaneously, you know if its working. Save some money and relax.-Dick Not such a bad idea! One more camera to drag around + the worrying about leaving it behind in some hotel safe:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted August 25, 2007 Share #12 Posted August 25, 2007 I would not spend that money on an M2, in which you really have no idea what could be on the verge of malfunctioning, simply as a potential emergency back-up. I use a film M body as such, but it's one I already own and which has been properly sorted. You are not taking your holiday in the outback. In all but a few areas of the USA, and I doubt Florida is one though I confess I've only been there once and only to Miami for a conference, you will never be more than a few miles from a K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target, Office Depot or some huge indoor city of shops generically referred to as "The Mall" where you would be able to purchase any one of dozens of capable compact digitals for significantly less than you'd have paid in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted August 26, 2007 Share #13 Posted August 26, 2007 Putting the M2 aside... instead, using a Meterless, and Batteryless camera as a back-up for your M8. Question: 1. How comfortable are you shooting with a meterless camera? Perhaps you're yet to find-out. 2. How is your skills with your current hand held meter. 3. Do you plan to invest on an advanced digital spot meter one day and learn to use it. They are not cheap... If you're okay with my questions... I bought a 1959 Leica M3 early this year as a back-up to my M7 and M6. After I practiced and developed my hand-held metering skills for my M3... My M7 and M6 became the back-up for the M3. I'm serious... -Ron ________________ Caveman's Gallery Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted August 26, 2007 Share #14 Posted August 26, 2007 yes i think it depends on confidence in reading the light. but i find we never get good at something until we start making attempts. becoming a reasoning light meter is like this. but, oh man, the joy in nailing a few shots just by perceiving and reasoning.... you'll be wanting a barnack sometime soon:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted August 26, 2007 Share #15 Posted August 26, 2007 I'd put the money into a Panaleica digicam like the FX30. I have the predecessor, the FX01 and it rarely gives me anything less than eyecatching pictures. It is very pocketable and almost foolproof in terms of grab shots. The lens is a real gem. The modern equivalent to a M2???? LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayerische Posted August 26, 2007 Author Share #16 Posted August 26, 2007 Putting the M2 aside... instead, using a Meterless, and Batteryless camera as a back-up for your M8. Question: 1. How comfortable are you shooting with a meterless camera? Perhaps you're yet to find-out. 2. How is your skills with your current hand held meter. 3. Do you plan to invest on an advanced digital spot meter one day and learn to use it. They are not cheap... If you're okay with my questions... I bought a 1959 Leica M3 early this year as a back-up to my M7 and M6. After I practiced and developed my hand-held metering skills for my M3... My M7 and M6 became the back-up for the M3. I'm serious... -Ron ________________ Caveman's Gallery I have a Sekonic digital meter handheld with a optional 5degree spot meter, I've used hand held meters in studio work, and with my hasselblad 500c in daylight. I'm good enough to expose slide film correctly The metering would not be a problem, but the risk of buying a absolute lemon is however a risk. I'll check out the M2 next week. But maybe I'm just paranoid about worst case scenarios... The M8 will most likely perform. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron110n Posted August 26, 2007 Share #17 Posted August 26, 2007 The metering would not be a problem, but the risk of buying a absolute lemon is however a risk. I'll check out the M2 next week. But maybe I'm just paranoid about worst case scenarios... The M8 will most likely perform. I didn't buy my M3 cheap when I bought it at ebay. I believe in, you buy the very best and you cry once. You buy the 2nd best and you cry each time you use it. I bought an M3, old as I am at all original prestine condition. Buy the best M2 that you can afford and good luck. You're gonna like it and you will be proud of yourself on how you can make an old fudd jump. Best regards, -Ron ________________ Caveman's Gallery Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
budrichard Posted August 28, 2007 Share #18 Posted August 28, 2007 My M3 just sits unused. My M6 carries a 35mm 1.4 Asph and does about 20% of the shots, my M7 does the bulk of the work with whatever lens I chose from 35mm to 135mm 2.8. The exposures with slide film are so good that I never worry about it and after 40 years of metering, have no wish to go back to meter, focus, shoot. I just focus and shoot.-Dick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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