finally, my first Leica M, M2 a few questions

[lxmike]

After many many years, just got myself an M2 body, very pleased and now to get some glass. I have one question, can a Leitz LTM 5cm Summar be safely collapsed into the body of the M2, (obviously I will have to buy a ltm to m adapter), also can a 5cm elmar 3.5 be collapsed into the M2.

Incidently if anyone has any leitz/leica glass they no longer use and wish to swap it for an all black Nikon F original body with plain prism and 50mm H C Nikkor and a Nikkor P 105, please drop me a PM

cheers Mike

 

[cosmonaut]

I think the only M you would have a problem with a collapsible would be the M5.

 

[lxmike]

many thanks for the quick answer

cheers Mike

 

[tekst]

Does the film counter on M2s move as you wind the film? Or do you have to rotate it yourself? I've always wondered..

 

[Vickko]

The film counter moves as you wind the film. But you have to move it to the start point (two notches before 0) after you load a new film.

 

[JMQ]

The film counter moves up (increases) as you wind the film. You will however need to reset manually when you put in a new roll.

 

[JMQ]

Looks like Vick and I are on the same wavelength as we both posted within seconds of each other. At least our answers are consistent.

 

[Godfrey]

I think the only M you would have a problem with a collapsible would be the M5.

M5 is one due to the metering semaphore, the CL is another for the same reason. Also, you need to be very careful with collapsible lenses when used on the M8 and M9 — unless you're SURE, do not collapse them. The thickness of the shutter and sensor assemblies is a bit different compared to the film bodies, there's less room in the shutter box.

Does the film counter on M2s move as you wind the film? Or do you have to rotate it yourself?

If I remember correctly, the M2 frame counter needs to be set to zero when you load film, after that it counts up automatically as you wind the film.

Ah, there's an M2 instruction manual available on-line as a PDF:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_m2/leica_m2.htm
Send M. Butkus a $3 bill donation. ;-)

 

[tekst]

Thanks for clearing that up guys! Congrats to the OP I'm sure you'll love your new camera!

 

[johannielscom]

No trouble collapsing whatever lens into the M2, unless it's a Russian FED 2.0/50mm Summar clone, but that won't focus correctly on a Leica anyway 😛

Never collapse lenses into the M5 or the CL (well actually you can if you've not yet wound the film on because then the exposure meter arm is out of the way, but any user is bound to mess that up sooner or later...), and make sure that you do not collapse the FED on the M8 or M9 either 😛

Now you know it all, happy shooting with the M2! I love mine!

 

[lxmike]

Many many thanks chaps, you have all been very helpfull, I cant wait to start shooting with my M2

cheers Mike

 

[kshapero]

Share some pics with us.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Look through the viewfinder and make sure to choose the lens according to the framelines you like the best. When I got my first Leica I also got a 50mm lens. I wasn't too happy with it, mostly because I like wide-angles. I didn't feel blissful until I got my first 35mm lens...

Other than that, enjoy the M2! 🙂

 

[Jonnyfez]

Enjoy your M2. My favorite camera. I'd suggest maybe an Elmar 50mm rather than a Summar. Hard to find a Summar without lots of cleaning marks on the front element. An Elmar 50 2.8 is a nice reasonably priced lens.

But a Summicron is even better!

 

[Tom A]

The Elmar 50f2.8 v1 is a good lens, a bit flare prone so add a hood to it. The aperture ring does rotate when you focus and you are often "chasing" the index mark. Of course, it being a M2 you will soon start chasing that 35mm lens to! It is a perfect camera for the 35 focal length.
Welcome to the M2 world - truthfully the only rangefinder you will ever need. Maybe two bodies at some time (35 on one, 50 or 90 on the other - and for true luxury - a third body for that 21). It is difficult to stop at one M2 - I know.

 

[NicoM]

Congrats! I just got my first M and I'm loving it! It looks like everyone else has already answered your questions 😛

 

[JohnTF]

As I recall, it was recommended, when new, to use a strip of dymo label tape on the lens barrels to keep them from retracting-- on the CL, though I suspect a lot of folks were happy with the 40mm.

The DR Summicron should fit the M2 as well?

Regards, John

 

[zupstermix]

Congrats! The M2 is my first and only M as well. Great choice!

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

The Elmar 50f2.8 v1 is a good lens, a bit flare prone so add a hood to it. The aperture ring does rotate when you focus and you are often "chasing" the index mark. Of course, it being a M2 you will soon start chasing that 35mm lens to! It is a perfect camera for the 35 focal length.
Welcome to the M2 world - truthfully the only rangefinder you will ever need. Maybe two bodies at some time (35 on one, 50 or 90 on the other - and for true luxury - a third body for that 21). It is difficult to stop at one M2 - I know.

Tom: You DIDN`T stop at three bodies...

 

[lxmike]

thanks chaps, I'm hunting down a 5cm as we speak, as it were, thaks for all the support and encouragement

cheers Mike