Finally, an M!

[mahleu]

So after searching for years for a sensibly priced Leica (i'm convinced the exist somewhere), I found a IIIc, which I then part traded on a IIIa with 3 lenses which i'm now going to sell as i've found an M2 😀

It's coming with a 50mm, 90mm, Visoflex, meter mc, extension tubes and a flash - with bulbs. I'm ridiculously excited but I still have to wait for it to arrive, and it will probably need a service.

I'll post a pic when it arrives.

 

[RanceEric]

I would be ridiculously excited too.. I've always wanted an M2, but I just have a IIc and I've stuck with Nikon RF gear.. Enjoy your new toy!

 

[John Lawrence]

Congratulations.

Have fun with the M2.

John

 

[Timmyjoe]

Awesome, congratulations. Couldn't live without my M.

Best,
-Tim

 

[alistair.o]

Congratulations. It's good to excited and share it too - looking forward to your follow up pictures.

Al

 

[mahleu]

Life is always complicated but this is good:

My M2 is coming back from a full service next week, in the mean time an M3 double stroke has popped up that I can get, if I sell the M2.

What would you keep between and M2 and an M3?

The alternate plan is to sell both and find an affordable M8 which I can then use as a back up for weddings and things...

 

[ChrisN]

Wow - fast turnover!

Viewfinder. If you shoot mainly 35mm focal length, the M2 has a better viewfinder. If you shoot mainly 50 and longer, the M3 will be better.

 

[ctham]

Wow - fast turnover!

Viewfinder. If you shoot mainly 35mm focal length, the M2 has a better viewfinder. If you shoot mainly 50 and longer, the M3 will be better.

I second what Chris said. I've gone for an M2 myself because I favour the 35mm focal length, so I keep my 35 on the M2 and the 50 on my Bessa. Even though it can get difficult to see all the 35 framelines with my glasses on, it's worked fine for me.

Enjoy the camera, no matter which one you decide to keep. They're fine machines that just need to be fed film to keep them going 🙂

 

[mahleu]

Wow - fast turnover!

Viewfinder. If you shoot mainly 35mm focal length, the M2 has a better viewfinder. If you shoot mainly 50 and longer, the M3 will be better.

Just lucky I guess. After years of looking for Leicas (they're not very common in South Africa), i've come across 7 in the last 3 months.

I second what Chris said. I've gone for an M2 myself because I favour the 35mm focal length, so I keep my 35 on the M2 and the 50 on my Bessa. Even though it can get difficult to see all the 35 framelines with my glasses on, it's worked fine for me.

Enjoy the camera, no matter which one you decide to keep. They're fine machines that just need to be fed film to keep them going 🙂

Well that makes it much more simple. I prefer wider lenses so M2 it is.

If I wasn't newly married i'd have both 🙂 but that wouldn't go down very well.

 

[Peter_Jones]

Nice one - as has already been mentioned, just keep using it 😀

 

[mahleu]

My M2 is back from being serviced. Attached is my fungussy Elmar. Soon a fungussy Summicron will replace that, then i'll clean them both and send the Elmar on it's way with the M3.

 

[skommini]

Congratulations! 🙂

 

[rogerzilla]

You need an M2 and an M3!

Fungussy coated lenses from the 1950s and 1960s rarely clean up well because the fungus etches the coating. Newer lenses are less likely to have fungus and older uncoated ones are a bit tougher.

Peter at CRR Luton told me a bizarre story about military binoculars in the hot and humid jungles of the Far East. They all became unusable within weeks due to fungus, except the ones with thoriated glass. It seems that the radiation kept them sterile!

 

[mahleu]

You need an M2 and an M3!

Fungussy coated lenses from the 1950s and 1960s rarely clean up well because the fungus etches the coating. Newer lenses are less likely to have fungus and older uncoated ones are a bit tougher.

Where I live is bad with humidity, I try to keep all my equipment without caps, somewhere bright. Or in an airconditioned room. On the positive side, i've got very good at dismantling and cleaning lenses...

 

[Carterofmars]

Congrats and welcome to the club!