John Robinson Posted February 3, 2022 Share #1041 Posted February 3, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I agree it is always useful to have two camera bodies in case one breaks down (or, in the case of the M2 and M3 from the late-1950s, the shutter speeds become unreliable above 1/250) but I went for one with a 35mm lens and one with a 50. The M2 here is from 1958 (overhauled by Leica in 2004) and the M3 1960 (CLA in 2021). 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! 11 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=4375445'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 3, 2022 Posted February 3, 2022 Hi John Robinson, Take a look here I love my M2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
John Robinson Posted February 3, 2022 Share #1042 Posted February 3, 2022 This may seem somewhat heretical on a Leica forum. The Summicron-M 35 (pre-ASPH) is superb on the M2 but sometimes an extra stop is very useful. In the absence of an affordable Summilux-35, I went for the TTArtisan 1.4/35 ASPH and have been pleasantly surprised at just how well it performs. 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 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=4375490'>More sharing options...
cesc Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1043 Posted February 9, 2022 On 2/3/2022 at 11:54 AM, John Robinson said: I agree it is always useful to have two camera bodies in case one breaks down (or, in the case of the M2 and M3 from the late-1950s, the shutter speeds become unreliable above 1/250) but I went for one with a 35mm lens and one with a 50. The M2 here is from 1958 (overhauled by Leica in 2004) and the M3 1960 (CLA in 2021). 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! Hi! I have the same rig, I mean, a M2 for the 35 summicron and a M3 for 50mm. The M2 has been CLAd last month and M3 it's on the way in a couple of months,,, BUT, what do you mean about the speeds above 1/250 are not reliable? Even with a CLA I shouldn't trust fastest speeds? You scared me! Should I sell my bodies and upgrade to a new MP? Thanks for your help 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandro Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1044 Posted February 9, 2022 2 hours ago, cesc said: Hi! I have the same rig, I mean, a M2 for the 35 summicron and a M3 for 50mm. The M2 has been CLAd last month and M3 it's on the way in a couple of months,,, BUT, what do you mean about the speeds above 1/250 are not reliable? Even with a CLA I shouldn't trust fastest speeds? You scared me! Should I sell my bodies and upgrade to a new MP? Thanks for your help When your M2 or M3 has had a CLA by a trustworthy technician you shoudln't worry about the fast speeds. I use both and they perform as expected. So no need at all to sell them and replace them by another M body, unless you prefer to have that other camera, but the feeling of an M2 and M3 when you are using them is just so wonderful. By the way, welcome to the forum! Lex 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hektor Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1045 Posted February 9, 2022 3 hours ago, cesc said: BUT, what do you mean about the speeds above 1/250 are not reliable? Even with a CLA I shouldn't trust fastest speeds? You scared me! Should I sell my bodies and upgrade to a new MP? Thanks for your help For over fifty I have been using numerous M cameras which have been serviced every decade. Currently using four. I have been in the workshops when the shutter speeds have been tested and they have always been closed to the designated speed. Only 1/1000 is never 1/1000, however I can't remember ever using it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1046 Posted February 9, 2022 The M2s are lovely. I missed the chance at one in a pawn shop last year that just needed it's RF calibrated. He was asking $800 and it otherwise was in great shape w super smooth wind on. Quick story - I was at the monthly flea market (boot sale) in Pasadena last Sunday. One vendor was selling an M2 (which was weird as people go to those places to buy cheap things) and he wanted $2000 for it! He also got very upset with me for showing him that the RF was broken! Patch did not move at all when I tried to focus with a lens I took off my M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Robinson Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1047 Posted February 9, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) 2 hours ago, sandro said: what do you mean about the speeds above 1/250 are not reliable? What I meant is that, above 1/250, in my experience, the speeds become unreliable unless a CLA has been performed within the last ten years or so. My M2 (overhauled in 2004) and M3 (CLA in 2021) do pretty well at 1/500 but both show a bit of fade around the edges at 1/1000. As pointed out above, 1/1000 is probably closer to 1/800 but for a 60-year-old camera using cloth shutter blinds, that is pretty good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cesc Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1048 Posted February 9, 2022 Thanks for the info! I normally shoot btwn 1/60 - 1/250s and for sure a totally mechanical 80 year old camera... I am more than pleased about their performance. I was hesitating to sell all my M bodies ( well actually two) to grab a new film body, BUT I am scared to not get the same response from a new film camera compared to the M2 or M3... youtube and internet creates so many headaches and GAS for new gear, and I end up telling myself that the most important is to keep buying and developping film, and spent the money in lenses instead of bodies.. sorry that's not very M2 related.. Because I am new to this forum, here's my lovely M2 recently CLAd by a great technician in Paris. And my M3, repainted in black 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 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=4380312'>More sharing options...
stray cat Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1049 Posted February 9, 2022 On 2/1/2022 at 10:59 PM, BalticSea said: She arrived today. Near mint condition and 10 years older than myself. My first ever Leica and the first non-digital after about 20 years. I am more than impressed by this piece of art. 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! That’s a lovely M2 but it’s not going to stay in mint condition with all that metal at the strap lug rubbing against the body. Which would be a real shame. Can you change the strap to something that will cause less damage to the camera? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hektor Posted February 9, 2022 Share #1050 Posted February 9, 2022 Blind cord is my solution with all cameras. 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 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=4380328'>More sharing options...
cesc Posted February 15, 2022 Share #1051 Posted February 15, 2022 4 hours ago, Al Brown said: New family member. BR FTW. 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! that lens looks interesting! how does it performs the SC with color film? I am looking for a vintage classic look lens to use for color film. I am using a summicron 35mm asph and it's not my cup of tea,... too contrasty and sharp for the look I am looking for Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew01 Posted February 15, 2022 Share #1052 Posted February 15, 2022 On 2/9/2022 at 6:30 PM, John Robinson said: What I meant is that, above 1/250, in my experience, the speeds become unreliable unless a CLA has been performed within the last ten years or so. My M2 (overhauled in 2004) and M3 (CLA in 2021) do pretty well at 1/500 but both show a bit of fade around the edges at 1/1000. As pointed out above, 1/1000 is probably closer to 1/800 but for a 60-year-old camera using cloth shutter blinds, that is pretty good. That happens on pretty much any mechanical camera. I am not sure what the Leica factory tolerances for accuracy are but for the Nikon F2 it is +/- half a stop, so 1/1000 can be between 1/750 and 1/1500 and still be in spec. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandro Posted February 16, 2022 Share #1053 Posted February 16, 2022 Al, I love those details! They make the M2 even more beautiful really. Yours looks like it has just been delivered new from the factory. Lex 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriehuber Posted February 16, 2022 Share #1054 Posted February 16, 2022 The button rewind, the external frame counter, the lack of a self timer and the top plate with the recessed windows make the M2/M1 the most beautiful M ever for me. There is really nothing that can beat this. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriehuber Posted February 17, 2022 Share #1055 Posted February 17, 2022 13 hours ago, Al Brown said: Well said. I take all but the external frame counter, I have a thing for that mystical little round "loupe" window. I don't know why, but the external frame counter is just so appealing to me. Even the original MP looks so much better for me then the M3. But I totally see why the internal counter is the preferred way of counting frames, at the end the MP and M2 are basically the only cameras since the 50s that use external counters and thats probably for a reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
archive_all Posted February 17, 2022 Share #1056 Posted February 17, 2022 On 2/16/2022 at 7:41 AM, Al Brown said: A different angle of my M2 portrait. More deconstructed and cubist I guess. 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! That looks to be in pristine condition! I'm a bit jealous of the button rewind folks, I have a lever rewind and keep thinking I should add a button rewind M2. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted February 18, 2022 Share #1057 Posted February 18, 2022 (edited) 14 hours ago, Kriehuber said: I don't know why, but the external frame counter is just so appealing to me. Even the original MP looks so much better for me then the M3. But I totally see why the internal counter is the preferred way of counting frames, at the end the MP and M2 are basically the only cameras since the 50s that use external counters and thats probably for a reason. Hello Kriehuber, Welcome to the Forum. The M1 (Begin 1959.) & MD (Begin 1964.) also have external frame counters. The external frame counters were a step backwards to the time when earlier Leicas required the user to manually reset the frame counter to the appropriate position after loading & advancing the film. Best Regards, Michael Edited February 18, 2022 by Michael Geschlecht 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakontil Posted February 22, 2022 Share #1058 Posted February 22, 2022 Im got an M2, not the best taken photo but i m surprised how smooth this mechanics compared to my MP, like when you rewind the shutter for instance 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! 8 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=4388441'>More sharing options...
John Robinson Posted February 23, 2022 Share #1059 Posted February 23, 2022 On 2/17/2022 at 2:24 PM, archive_all said: That looks to be in pristine condition! I'm a bit jealous of the button rewind folks, I have a lever rewind and keep thinking I should add a button rewind M2. Be careful what you wish for. I have lost many frames because I accidentally pressed the rewind button. There was a reason why Leica replaced it with the lever rewind. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrogallol Posted February 23, 2022 Share #1060 Posted February 23, 2022 Yes. I have a button rewind and it is easy for your finger to rest on the button. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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