M2 Finder Brightness

[v3cron]

I just received an M2 from KEH today, and the finder appears a bit dark to me. I had an M2 (lever) and an M4-2 that I sold about a year ago, and I don't remember them being this dark. The RF is snappy and easy to focus, though - it's the clear areas that seem to suck up too much light.

Question: is this common, and I was just lucky before? This is an older button rewind version. Were the older ones darker? Is it something easily fixed, or should I keep looking? If it costs under $200 to fix, it's still cheaper than most other M2s I've seen, which may or may not have issues. The body is otherwise clean enough.

 

[astro8]

I have an M2 with fungus in the VF at Youxin's getting an 'M4-2/MP upgrade' & he says it will be really nice. You may want to email him and ask about this or maybe it justs need a clean...

 

[klapka]

How was it rated at KEH (EX, BGN or UG)?
This is the question that worries me too as I want an M2 with a clean finder (and KEH has some for little money), just thinking if it's worth it..

 

[klapka]

Oh, and by the way, how much did it cost? Was it the one they had for 665$?
Sorry, no help about the finder from me, just trying to avoid same trouble.. Thanks beforehand!

 

[v3cron]

$665, BGN. I've bought thousands of $$ worth of BGN gear from KEH, and it is always much better than expected. This is the first time I am questioning it. No worries, though, as they are very reasonable in the event of a return.

 

[v3cron]

I have an M2 with fungus in the VF at Youxin's getting an 'M4-2/MP upgrade' & he says it will be really nice. You may want to email him and ask about this or maybe it justs need a clean...

I've owned an M4-2 and M2 at the same , I think the RF in the M2 is noticeably better. I would not want the RF changed, Hopefully there is a simpler fix.

 

[Gregoryniss]

I've owned an M2, M3, M6, M8, and have used an M7 all were in excellent condition. The M2 had the best viewfinder out of all of them and the most contrasty RF patch. Maybe I just got super lucky though...

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I've owned an M2, M3, M6, M8, and have used an M7 all were in excellent condition. The M2 had the best viewfinder out of all of them and the most contrasty RF patch. Maybe I just got super lucky though...

I think you did. I wanted an M2 when I first went to Leicas, and I bought and returned a number of them, 9 or 10, and ALL had dim secondary rangefinder images. EVERY ONE. I went through several more M4 bodies, all of which had good bright contrasty finders and rangefinders, but most were badly out of adjustment. I did finally get two of them that worked, which I later sold to buy an M6 because I wanted the 28mm frames and meter. I also looked at a lot of M2 bodies in stores and all were bad. I have never once seen, out of probably 25 that I have handled, a good M2. My feeling is, they're 50 yrs old and worn out and need expensive repair to be usable. Get an M6. Cheaper than the Mp, modern enough that most work well. I have two of them now, one with .72 finder and one with the .85 finder. Love them both and would not trade them for a carload of M2 bodies.

 

[ulrich.von.lich]

Older viewfinders are indeed darker, due to a stronger blue tint. They were designed that way, so there's nothing to fix. It is the same case for early M3s.

Later M2s have brighter and less blue viewfinders. I don't know the serial number, if there is (it seems Leica has used parts freely), that draws the line. My M2 whose serial number is just over a million still has a quite dim VF. But I have sold one with a serial number close to 1100xxx I think and it had a much brighter VF.

I also think the M2 has a better viewfinder than the M4-2 but not a brighter one. Generally speaking, all M2/M3s have dimmer VFs than M6/MPs. But they are appreciated for different reasons other than brightness alone.

By the way, the only two M2s I have used have both a bright and contrasty rangefinder patch.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have an M2 that I bought here a while back and it was my 3rd M as I owned an M4p and an M6. The finder was marginally less bright than the more modern M's but at no time was it a problem in any light. Of course my favorite cameras are Barnacks and Contax II's so its relative.

 

[Sparrow]

... the M2 possibly isn't the brightest, but it is uncluttered and easy to use

 

[Keith]

I found my M2 very close to being as easy to focus in low light as the Zeiss Ikon I had. The Ikon's finder was brighter overall but my M2 had better contrast of the secondary image.

 

[ulrich.von.lich]

Speaking of the rangefinder path, my M2 has a brighter and more contrasty secondary image (the one that moves I suppose?) than the still image, while all other types of Ms I have used seem to be the opposite.

 

[v3cron]

I'm starting to think this is normal for the older version. I have to decide between keeping this one due to the beautiful body style (the self-timer versions appeal to me less. My hand wants to rest on top of that lever) and a later finder, which isn't THAT much better.

 

[Bingley]

My M2 was BGN grade from KEH and has a nice bright vf, maybe not as bright as a modern Bessa but certainly not dim by any means. My advice is to get the camera serviced.