First outing with my very first Leica.

[Swift1]

After months of internal debate, and lots and lots of research, I finally decided to get my first Leica camera. I have been reading all about the various Leica M bodies and the different features each model offered, and eventually decided that I wanted either an M2 or M4. I use a 35mm lens for probably 75% of my photography, I don't want a meter, and every now and then I like having a self timer, so those things pretty much reduced the choice to the two aforementioned bodies. The MA was out of the running because there's no way I could afford one.
Ultimately, I wanted an M4, but I was up at Blue Moon Camera and they happened to have a gorgeous M2 that just came back from a full service from Yuxin Ye. It also (barely) fit my budget, so I came home a proud new owner of a 1965 Leica M2.

I can't currently afford any M mount lenses, but I have 6 or so LTM lenses, so I quickly ordered an adapter for 35mm lenses. While I wait for that adapter to arrive, my good friend and fellow member GerryM has lent me his adapter for 50mm lenses.

Monday afternoon Gerry came over and helped me mount my Canon 50/2.2, and then helped me load the first roll of film. We then went out and took some photos, and managed to finish the roll. I recently bought 10 rolls of expired 12 exp. Kodak Gold 200 and needed to test the film, so I figured it would be perfect for testing the camera as well.

It turned out that film hadn't aged that well, but it was good enough for testing, and the camera performed flawlessly.

Here are some of the images from the roll,

 

[helen.HH]

Cool, Congrats !

The M2 was my first leica / button rewind... loved it

You don’t ‘need’ leica glass... Your photos always look Great

Enjoy and what a Lovely way to Celebrate Thanksgiving !

 

[Swift1]

Cool, Congrats !

The M2 was my first leica / button rewind... loved it

You don’t ‘need’ leica glass... Your photos always look Great

Enjoy and what a Lovely way to Celebrate Thanksgiving !

Thanks Helen, I'm pretty excited to have an M2 🙂

I plan to just keep using my Canon 50mm, my CV 35/2.5, and maybe in future get a Canon 28mm.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

 

[ampguy]

nice photos!

 

[Michael Markey]

Nice camera Colton …. you`ll enjoy using it.
Lovely shots too .

 

[fireblade]

Congrats. Excellent set here....as usual.

 

[Ccoppola82]

Photos look great! I love my M2. Less thinking and more shooting with it.

 

[lynnb]

Congrats on your first Leica Colton, looking forward to seeing lots more taken with it.

 

[raid]

You are a Natural, Colton. This Leica M2 fits you like a glove. Congratulations. Your captured images look great, as your posted images always do.

 

[Swift1]

nice photos!

Thank you.

Nice camera Colton …. you`ll enjoy using it.
Lovely shots too .

Thanks Michael 🙂

Congrats. Excellent set here....as usual.

Thank you.

 

[Peter Jennings]

Congrats on the *new* M2! I love mine (also serviced by Youxin). And I agree with Helen, Leica glass isn’t necessary. All the images from your Canon 50/2.2 look fabulous.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Very cool, Colton. Congrats.

 

[Swift1]

Photos look great! I love my M2. Less thinking and more shooting with it.

Thanks 🙂

Congrats on your first Leica Colton, looking forward to seeing lots more taken with it.

Thank you, Lynn. I'm looking forward to getting out with some better film.

You are a Natural, Colton. This Leica M2 fits you like a glove. Congratulations. Your captured images look great, as your posted images always do.

Thank you, Raid.

 

[Swift1]

Congrats on the *new* M2! I love mine (also serviced by Youxin). And I agree with Helen, Leica glass isn’t necessary. All the images from your Canon 50/2.2 look fabulous.

Thanks Peter. It's such a smooth and quiet camera. I love my Canon 50/2.2 🙂

Very cool, Colton. Congrats.

Thanks Larry 🙂

 

[dourbalistar]

Congrats, Colton! I also adapt LTM lenses to my M5. I didn't know at the outset, but there are different types of LTM adapters. Some have cutouts to accommodate certain lenses, where the infinity locks are very close to the mount (e.g. Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5). Our Head Bartender has some info here:
https://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm

 

[Timmyjoe]

Congratulations on the M2 Colton. That's one of my favorite M's.

I like what you're doing with the expired color film. Please keep sharing your results and Happy Thanksgiving.

Best,
-Tim

 

[bayernfan]

Looks like you're off to a good start. I've formed a strong attachment to my M2, there's just something about it. If you're looking for an 35mm lens for color that won't break the bank, might I suggest a 35/3.5 Summaron in LTM. It's surprisingly good.

 

[Swift1]

Congrats, Colton! I also adapt LTM lenses to my M5. I didn't know at the outset, but there are different types of LTM adapters. Some have cutouts to accommodate certain lenses, where the infinity locks are very close to the mount (e.g. Leitz Elmar 5cm f/3.5). Our Head Bartender has some info here:
https://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm

Thanks. Ya, I remember reading about issues with LTM adapters and infinity locks. I only have one lens with an infinity lock, a 1930s FED 50/3.5, and the focus is off, so I doubt I will use it. If I want to use that lens I have other screwmount bodies. I ordered a Metabones 35/135 adapter. Hopefully it works ok.

Congratulations on the M2 Colton. That's one of my favorite M's.

I like what you're doing with the expired color film. Please keep sharing your results and Happy Thanksgiving.

Best,
-Tim

Thanks Tim, and Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

Looks like you're off to a good start. I've formed a strong attachment to my M2, there's just something about it. If you're looking for an 35mm lens for color that won't break the bank, might I suggest a 35/3.5 Summaron in LTM. It's surprisingly good.

Thanks Alex. I've read good things about that Summaron. For now I will probably stick with my CV Skopar 35/2.5 and my Jupiter-12. If I run across a good deal on the Summaron, I might get it.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Very good, for this M2 and for new owner!

It looks like exposure, more than age of film.
The only problem with getting of first M... rest of the cameras might start to collect dust.
Canon and FSU 50mm are sufficient for film, IMO.

 

[Godfrey]

Nice photos! Good luck with your M2! 😀

G