Allure of the Leica M2.

[Robert Lai]

Having received my M2, M3 and M5 back from servicing by Gus Lazzari, I find to my surprise that I like the M2 the best. The styling is just so simple and elegant. It was how the M3 was suppose to look like in the original design sketches. But then the senior management at Leica felt that the top of the line product with such an expensive price needed to look dressier, so they added the window frames to the M3's viewfinder / rangefinder.

The M2 and M3 have a gold tinted rangefinder patch because their mirrors have gold plating. Not plebian silver, as for the other M cameras. This is why their viewfinders have a blue tint, for color contrast.

I can see how the Leica fans of the 1970s were turned off by the M5. It feels as big and bulky as say, a Nikon F. But once you handle one, it feels very comfortable in the hand. That spotmeter and viewfinder readout are probably the best in-camera meter implementation that Leica ever made. It does sound a bit "hollow" though, as if there is a lot of air under the top plate. I know that's not true, but that's the impression it gives. Gently rap the top plate of any Leica M, and it gives a dull thud feeling of density. The M5's plate gives a hollow sound.

Just my impressions, as they all take fine pictures.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . Just my impressions, as they all take fine pictures.

Dear Robert,

No! They are awful cameras, bought only by those with more money than sense. No competent photographer ever used a Leica. If you doubt me, there are plenty on RFF and elsewhere who will back me up.

The only reason you get fine pictures from a Leica is if you can overcome the disadvantages of sharp lenses and precision cameras, just as Diana and Holga users can overcome the disadvantages of cheap, nasty lenses and bodies that leak light at random.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Robert Lai]

Roger,
I do hope that you're jesting.

As it is, I haven't put any film yet into these cameras. I just stare at them to admire their aesthetic lines. Feel the smoothness of the winding and shtter release. Also, polish that chrome, put conditioner on the vulcanite and leather cases. That sort of thing....

So, at this point I'm not photographing with these. Just camera collecting and polishing.😀

 

[Roger Hicks]

Roger,
I do hope that you're jesting. . .

Dear Robert,

Guess. Maybe reading my Leicaphilia before you guess will help.

But they're not supposed to have FILM in. They're just for status symbols (when new) or for fondling (when bought second hand). Again, if you don't believe me, just read the views of some of the more jaundiced members of RFF.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Mute-on]

I have MP, M4 and M2. The M2 is easily the most solid and substantial feeling of all. The others do feel a little hollow in comparison.
The feeling of substance together with its lack of any extraneous frame lines, frame counting mechanisms, and two piece levers is what creates the allure of the M2 for me.
Of course mine has film in it so I can take photos as I fondle 😉


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kiemchacsu]

I have MP, M4 and M2. The M2 is easily the most solid and substantial feeling of all. The others do feel a little hollow in comparison.
The feeling of substance together with its lack of any extraneous frame lines, frame counting mechanisms, and two piece levers is what creates the allure of the M2 for me.
Of course mine has film in it so I can take photos as I fondle 😉


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

After using M2 extensively for 5 years, Now I just add a M4.
Having used M2, M3, M6, M7, it's easy for me to say that my favorite one is M2 (and the only one remained before I purchased the M4)
Give me some time to test if the M4 can replace my M4.

 

[Robert Lai]

I'm not entirely sure what point you're trying to make Roger. I read your article. I took three rather neglected Leica M cameras, and had them fully stripped down and restored again. I've done this for virtually every camera that I own, and that includes Canons, Nikons, Rolleiflexes, Kodak Medalist. Even the FED 2, Zorki 1, and a Moskva 5 which I quickly discovered weren't going to hold their adjustments.

The old fashioned manual typewriter, is also an interest , as are fountain pens.

I like the aesthetics, and the mechanical detail that these machines encompass. The ingenuity of their designers and the skill of the craftsmen that build them are a fascination. The fact that the ones that I possess are fully functional to carry out their intended task gives me satisfaction.

 

[Huss]

I can see how the Leica fans of the 1970s were turned off by the M5. ... It does sound a bit "hollow" though, as if there is a lot of air under the top plate. I know that's not true, but that's the impression it gives. Gently rap the top plate of any Leica M, and it gives a dull thud feeling of density. The M5's plate gives a hollow sound.

Just my impressions, as they all take fine pictures.

I think Gus left some pieces out after he serviced yours..
😀
(your observations are correct, it is not as dense feeling as my M3s)

How do you find the wind mechanism of the M5 in smoothness compared to your M2/3?

 

[Robert Lai]

Soon after I wrote that the M5 sounds kind of hollow, Hamish Gill wrote something similar in his review of the M5:
http://www.35mmc.com/15/10/2015/leica-m5/

"Unfortunately if I were actively to criticise the way the Leica M5 feels in the hand, it would only be to comment on how everything seems a little more thin (for want of a better word) than I expected; I just somehow slightly less solid than my M3. This might sound odd as it’s a heavier so should if anything feel more solid, but it doesn’t. Tapping on the plate metal of the camera gives a less solid sound, it doesn’t feel like the metal is as thick as that of my other Leicas."

Of the three cameras, the M2 is the smoothest by far. It was the camera in the worst physical shape (only Ex ++), so it probably had the most use.
The M5 (mint minus) seems equal to my M7. Smooth, and to the point.
The M3 seems to have had minimal to no use. After cleaning up, it is in mint cosmetic condition. As it is, it's a bit "tight" on the winding. Very crisp, and the latch at the end of winding is very definite.

They are all very smooth, but when you compare one to the other the subtle differences emerge.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Color-Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[Daryl J.]

Keith, how is the M2? Lol.


I walked away from a lightly patina'd M2 just back from a thorough Youxin Ye rework not two weeks ago. It hurt.

 

[sara]

I sold my M2 recently because I needed money...and I have a M6 so I thought that was that.

But what people don't know is that I shot all my better photos on M2 because the light meter did not distract me.
(Then again I also needed the light meter these days if I'm shooting specific important things).

 

[Erik van Straten]

I sold my M2 recently because I needed money...and I have a M6 so I thought that was that.

But what people don't know is that I shot all my better photos on M2 because the light meter did not distract me.
(Then again I also needed the light meter these days if I'm shooting specific important things).

A camera with a lightmeter that does not distract is the Leica M5.

Leica M2, Color-Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron-M 50mm f/2v4, 400-2TMY, Perceptol.

Erik.

 

[mcfingon]

Extra good Erik. I love the cloud detail.
John Mc

 

[lxmike]

What a great thread, l sadly sold my M2, (had to generate funds for my sons college fees), really miss the M2 but a couple of years later l now have a newly acquired IIIg to enjoy, miss the M2 though.

 

[ellisson]

One sale I regret is the M2. I purchased it from an RFF member at a great price and unknown to me, he included a Luigi half case.

For this shot, I paired it with a summaron 2.8. That was my favorite lens with the M2. Sold the camera, kept the lens. Should have kept the M2!

[/IMG]

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you, McFingon! Great shot, Ellisson!

Leica M2, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY, Perceptol.

Erik.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

I've had this M2 for a little over a month, and 3 rolls of film, 1 b&w, 2 color.
It is a joy to handle and shoot.
Shot the b&w with its "native" lens, a Elmar 2.8 and the color with a Summitar.
I like the Summitar so much I may try to sell or trade the Elmar for a M mount 35mm, probably the Color Skopar.

Fairmont, NE. Eclipse Day Leica M2/Summitar f2 / Kodak 200

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY, Perceptol.

Erik.