Guest JMF Posted January 10, 2018 Share #741 Posted January 10, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone know when (serial #) Leica switched from button rewind to lever? I've just acquired an M2 circa 1959 sight unseen and curious what version I purchased. The vendor doesn't know because it's shipped and on it's way to me now. I like surprises but also should have asked more questions before purchasing!! Just found some infos here: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/M2 quote: "Initially the M2 was launched with a push-button rewind release, but this proved unpopular and was replaced within the first year of production with a lever." Let us know ! Cheers, JM Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 Hi Guest JMF, Take a look here I love my M2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
SunnySixteen Posted January 10, 2018 Share #742 Posted January 10, 2018 Thanks JM, I'll let you know and will be sure to post a photo when I receive it. Judging by the serial number, it looks to be from the last batch produced in 1959. I'm guessing that it is a lever model, no self timer but only time will tell! I am excited to own an M2 regardless of the model and look forward to running some film through it... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 10, 2018 Share #743 Posted January 10, 2018 I don’t know why the button was unpopular. It’s arguably a better design than the fiddly lever, but I guess it was seen as an inferior design as the M3 was first with the lever. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rus Posted January 10, 2018 Share #744 Posted January 10, 2018 Having never used an M2 with the button rewind, I'm curious if it needs to be pressed and held all the time while rewinding the film, or just pushed once and will stay in position? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 10, 2018 Share #745 Posted January 10, 2018 Just press it and it stays in. The moment you move the advance lever it pops back out! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JMF Posted January 10, 2018 Share #746 Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) Having never used an M2 with the button rewind, I'm curious if it needs to be pressed and held all the time while rewinding the film, or just pushed once and will stay in position? Just press it and it stays in. The moment you move the advance lever it pops back out! Apparently there were 2 button rewind versions : https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75999 Edited January 10, 2018 by JMF Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmrider2 Posted January 11, 2018 Share #747 Posted January 11, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have an M2 with button rewind. I press the button once and it stays in. However, there is a version which requires you to hold the button in. Don't know which serial numbers are which. I could be happy with either lever or button but I got to say that the body without self timer seems just a bit more elegant. I purchased it from Sherry about two years ago and before she sold it to me, she claimed it was one of the nicest M2's she has seen in a long time. I have to agree with her but have been using an M5 purchased from her six months after the M2 more then the M2. I really like the metering on the M5. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmrider2 Posted January 15, 2018 Share #748 Posted January 15, 2018 And as I just posted on the M5 thread, it depends on the day of the week as to whether the M2 or the M5 is my favorite film camera. Luckily, both are available and both seem to just go on forever with a little TLC (called a CLA if it is a Leica M). My M2 is a button rewind without self timer from 1959 and looks like it just came out of the box and since Sherry had preformed a CLA just before purchase, it feels like it just came out of the box. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnySixteen Posted January 15, 2018 Share #749 Posted January 15, 2018 I've received my new to me M2 and it looks to be in relatively good user condition. A few dings here and there, the leather is in good shape, and from what I can tell initially all shutter speeds are firing properly. Viewfinder is clear and bright and rangefinder seems to focusing ... I think I've got a winner. One concern, when I mounted my 50 Summicron V4 it was very tight to seat, compared to M6. I had to use a lot of force to fully click it in. I will test with my other lenses when I can, but should I be concerned by this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnySixteen Posted January 15, 2018 Share #750 Posted January 15, 2018 I forgot to mention, in answering my previous question about rewind design, it is a lever rewind, with no self timer. I'll post a photo when the light is better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
105012 Posted January 16, 2018 Share #751 Posted January 16, 2018 One concern, when I mounted my 50 Summicron V4 it was very tight to seat, compared to M6. I had to use a lot of force to fully click it in. I will test with my other lenses when I can, but should I be concerned by this? Have the lens mount checked, any twisting or out of alignment of the mount will cause this. If this is the case, then this can be repaired by a competent repairer, and a CLA performed at the same time. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnySixteen Posted January 16, 2018 Share #752 Posted January 16, 2018 (edited) Thanks 105012, sound advice. I did have a chance to mount a Summicron DR and it seated with less force but I still think I'm going to send it in. After I put a film through it, of course! Edited January 16, 2018 by SunnySixteen Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnySixteen Posted January 19, 2018 Share #753 Posted January 19, 2018 Too early to tell if I love it but I certainly have very fond first impressions. Shot on Portra 160, Leica M6, Tele Elmarit 90mm 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! 5 Quote 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/48604-i-love-my-m2/?do=findComment&comment=3443973'>More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted January 25, 2018 Share #754 Posted January 25, 2018 This is my M2 with a Contax Rigid Tessar attached on a Cook & Perkins adaptor. 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! 4 Quote 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/48604-i-love-my-m2/?do=findComment&comment=3447853'>More sharing options...
mikemgb Posted February 11, 2018 Share #755 Posted February 11, 2018 Loving this combination. 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! 6 Quote 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/48604-i-love-my-m2/?do=findComment&comment=3459240'>More sharing options...
Rus Posted March 3, 2018 Share #756 Posted March 3, 2018 M2 with Cron-C 40 and Voigtlander 35mm external vf 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! 3 Quote 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/48604-i-love-my-m2/?do=findComment&comment=3473367'>More sharing options...
enboe Posted March 4, 2018 Share #757 Posted March 4, 2018 M2 with Cron-C 40 and Voigtlander 35mm external vf Silver Chron-C? Not sure I've seen one of those before. Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rus Posted March 4, 2018 Share #758 Posted March 4, 2018 Silver Chron-C? Not sure I've seen one of those before. Eric It was converted from a black one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaakkohiltunen Posted March 17, 2018 Share #759 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) Leica M2 + Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm/f2.5 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! Edited March 17, 2018 by jaakkohiltunen 5 Quote 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/48604-i-love-my-m2/?do=findComment&comment=3482488'>More sharing options...
The Wizard Posted March 27, 2018 Share #760 Posted March 27, 2018 My M2 is really my favourite Leica. (But don't tell my MP, my M8 or my Barnack III otherwise they may sulk ) Here it is I can understand that. I love my M2 as well. Just sent mine in for CLA. Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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