Looking to buy first Leica

Not only rewind, but film loading.

"Looks" doesn't mean a lot if you going to use it for picture taking. It has to be working inside. But who knows if this camera is working or not. Doesn't seems to have any real description in this German-only listing with single short line about camera and copy-paste of crapload for something else not related to the actual item.

And welcome to the right place for rangefinders! Check local classifieds.
 
Ffordes are absolutely top notch and I've been buying equipment from them for years. I thoroughly recommend them. In fact, it's my favourite second-hand UK seller; perhaps they aren't the cheapest, but always reliable.
 
I love my M4, but actually miss the M2 & M3 film spools - no need to cut a tongue on bulk loaded rolls! In practice, I don't find the faster loading and faster rewinding of the later M's THAT beneficial - I don't shoot a Leica for speed of use 😉

The only problem I ever had with the M2 was always forgetting to reset the film counter, not that that's super critical.

I'd go with the M2 here over the M4, if you have issues with the camera on delivery it'll be taken care of. Probably not so with a shoddy EBay listing.
 
German E-Bay seller like this one are normally easy to deal with for a return with full refund (minus the shipping cost) but I would honestly skip this one...just saying "fully working" isn't much of an info.

I started with a user M4 few year ago but sold it after I tried an M2.
I found the rewind style on the M2 much better designed and never had an issue with the take up spool loading. But it all a question of taste and preferences I suppose.

There are plenty of M4 on the market, just wait for the right one if you are not in a hurry.

And keep an eye on the classifieds session here on RFF

Good luck!

Giulio
 
wojtek said:
Ffordes are absolutely top notch and I've been buying equipment from them for years. I thoroughly recommend them. In fact, it's my favourite second-hand UK seller; perhaps they aren't the cheapest, but always reliable.
Click to expand...

I've never bought a Leica from Ffordes - or, indeed, from anyone (!) - but I thoroughly endorse wojtek's recommendation.
 
The M2 viewfinder is very nice. I have had a several M4s and sold all of them. For me the rapid load did not always 'catch.' The rewind crank is also quite fragile. I once bumped mine and had to replace it. I did it myself but the part was not cheap!
 
Thank you for the comments. I will be buying it from ffordes - might consider the M4-P as well since it has 28mm framelines.
 
Unless the price is much higher it is always good policy to buy from a dealer you know to be reputable, especially when you are unfamiliar with the equipment.
Really, as one person posted, any M camera will suffice to gain familiarity with the experience of using a Leica, which is rather different from that of an SLR. Save arguing about which is the very best choice for much later.
Concerning the M4-P, yes it is a very fine camera and does include 28mm framelines, but these will only be usable if you either do not need glasses, or have an appropriate diopter correction lens for your eyesight. With an M2, the full frame is a reasonable approximation of the 28mm field.

Good luck, and I hope you get a great deal of enjoyment from your new camera.

Cheers,
Dez
 
My favorite model M is the M2 (have two identical push button M2's from 1959) but I have owned all of them except the M7 and MP. They all work and really the biggest difference is on having a built in meter.

The standard viewfinder on all M's after the M3 was the .72 magnification which first appeared on the M2. If you look at the 28mm frame lines, they basically take up the whole viewfinder. So on cameras without the 28mm frame lines (M2, M4/-2, M5), just use the whole frame.

I have more Leicas then I need (2 M2's, M9, and R6.2) but am looking at a M5 as I have never owned one. Sherry has a nice one on her new website (and if you have not seen it, check it out at www.sherrykrautner.com) as there are lots and lots of M film Leicas for sale. And she has gone through each one which returns it to new specs.
 
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