Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Leica used to make HUGE copystands for document photography. These Reprovits came in various sizes and used either LTM or M-mount cameras. They used to make a series of bodies with no rangefinder (1F/1G/ Md/Mda) that would be mounted on a sliding focussing plate. You focussed with a loupe like device - slide the camera in place and shot. Often these were used for slide presentations, documenting on to fine grain "Doku" type film and also providing high quality negs for publications. (Pre scanners and digital projectors with computer generated "shows").
As the Md/Mda's were wearing out or just not within the budget, M2's and M3's were substituted. These camera were used heavily - 100 000's of exposures, usually at slow speed (1 sec to 1/15). They often look fine, but the heavy indent on the shutter speed dial at 1s/1/2s/1/4sec etc and a usually rattly film advance, as well as a almost "grooved" pressure plate can attest to the amount of film having been pushed through.
IF a camera looks pretty nice on the outside, but the shutter only seems to work in the extreme slow speeds, pressure plate is polished and grooved and the geartrain is worn down to small "knubbies" on the advance shaft - suspect that it has been used heavily!
In itself it is not fatal, but a CLA can be very costly as a lot of parts can be worn out. Another problem was that these M2/M3 were usually sourced from trade ins and often they were sold cheap as they had faulty finders. Delaminated prism's etc. This did not affect the use as a copy camera (focus was through an independent system).
Occasionally you come across these cameras with big dents and bent advance levers. Not all operators of these Reprovits treated them with the true deference that a Leica is supposed to generate. They were dropped, thrown into boxes and drawers etc.
I have a couple of the MDa's and a MD-2 (based on the M4-2) as well as a M2 that served many years in a medical facility - making slides of pathology samples.
Some years ago I saw a Leicaflex SL that had served the same purpose and as it was attached to an academic institution with a deep love of book keeping - they knew that this camera had exposed 1,7 million images. At 1 million, Leica had looked at it and decided that there was at least another million images left in it to shoot! The metal below the advance lever was so worn down that it felt like 0.1mm shim stock!
As the Md/Mda's were wearing out or just not within the budget, M2's and M3's were substituted. These camera were used heavily - 100 000's of exposures, usually at slow speed (1 sec to 1/15). They often look fine, but the heavy indent on the shutter speed dial at 1s/1/2s/1/4sec etc and a usually rattly film advance, as well as a almost "grooved" pressure plate can attest to the amount of film having been pushed through.
IF a camera looks pretty nice on the outside, but the shutter only seems to work in the extreme slow speeds, pressure plate is polished and grooved and the geartrain is worn down to small "knubbies" on the advance shaft - suspect that it has been used heavily!
In itself it is not fatal, but a CLA can be very costly as a lot of parts can be worn out. Another problem was that these M2/M3 were usually sourced from trade ins and often they were sold cheap as they had faulty finders. Delaminated prism's etc. This did not affect the use as a copy camera (focus was through an independent system).
Occasionally you come across these cameras with big dents and bent advance levers. Not all operators of these Reprovits treated them with the true deference that a Leica is supposed to generate. They were dropped, thrown into boxes and drawers etc.
I have a couple of the MDa's and a MD-2 (based on the M4-2) as well as a M2 that served many years in a medical facility - making slides of pathology samples.
Some years ago I saw a Leicaflex SL that had served the same purpose and as it was attached to an academic institution with a deep love of book keeping - they knew that this camera had exposed 1,7 million images. At 1 million, Leica had looked at it and decided that there was at least another million images left in it to shoot! The metal below the advance lever was so worn down that it felt like 0.1mm shim stock!
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
This ones for Tom A.
in homage to his Love of Cars & collecting M2's...
Cheers!
Helen, thanks. That is one beautiful 356! Wonderful and exciting car to drive. Mine was a Beutler bodies 1952 version, no top and the heater was even worse than the standard one (i.e non existent). Any turn that had even a trace of moisture on the surface, had the car switching front to back. After a while I got good at going around "round-a-bouts" back wards - slamming it into a lower gear as I approached my off ramp and then boot it! Nobody ever wanted to ride from work back to the small town we lived in!!!! Wonder why?
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I think the M2 should come with a warning "This device is highly addictive and may lead to accumulations".
LeicaVirgin1
Established
I must say that I agree that the M2 is the very best of the LOT. I have 2 M6's with "MP" upgrades, an M4, an M3 & an M2, (lever rewind/silver/chrome). The M2 just calls out to be used. It is soooooo clean & uncluttered & personally, I prefer the.72 finder as opposed to my M3's .91 finder. I wear glasses & also find the M2's finder is the most robust of all the M's. I am terrified of tweaking my M3's finder because of how complicated it truly is.
The M2 is most beautiful with an early version of the Elmar 50mm/5cm silver/chrome collapsible... Just so much FUN to shoot! I admit and agree with Tom; I can't stop shooting with it & I believe I have contributed to films renaisssance. Happy shooting all.
LV1
The M2 is most beautiful with an early version of the Elmar 50mm/5cm silver/chrome collapsible... Just so much FUN to shoot! I admit and agree with Tom; I can't stop shooting with it & I believe I have contributed to films renaisssance. Happy shooting all.
LV1
nicm
Newbie
Just bought an M2 but it wasn't as described so it has gone back to the shop for a service. Look forward to using the M2 in the near future after reading so much about it on this site.
K
kjoebek
Guest
Pictures taken with my M2 in Seoul
Pictures taken with my M2 in Seoul
Leica M2 with 21mm 3.4 Super Angulon
My M2's are some of the best cameras that I have every had.
Pictures taken with my M2 in Seoul
Leica M2 with 21mm 3.4 Super Angulon
My M2's are some of the best cameras that I have every had.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Great shots from Seoul. That first one looks like he is going to hit you!
The 21 S-A and a M2 is a great combination. I have a lot of of 21's - but my 21 S-A is a bit of a sentimental favorite though. It has its own look to the negative. I have used one of these since 1964-65 as my M-wide. I also used to carry a Contax II for a Biogon 21f4.5 when I need everything straight.
The 21 S-A and a M2 is a great combination. I have a lot of of 21's - but my 21 S-A is a bit of a sentimental favorite though. It has its own look to the negative. I have used one of these since 1964-65 as my M-wide. I also used to carry a Contax II for a Biogon 21f4.5 when I need everything straight.
K
kjoebek
Guest
Thank you Tom.
I can't take that kind of pictures with other cameras then my M2's, even I have tryed with both my Contax G or Nikon SLR. I think that the Leitz lens's has there own "personality", that you can't get with new Nikkor lens's or some thing similar.
I can't take that kind of pictures with other cameras then my M2's, even I have tryed with both my Contax G or Nikon SLR. I think that the Leitz lens's has there own "personality", that you can't get with new Nikkor lens's or some thing similar.
Red Rock Bill
Well-known
My M2 arrived today from a much needed spa treatment from Sherry... .....(Sherry's notes...corrosion...DRY..framelines sticking, etc,etc) I promise never to let it happen again.....lol....probably the best feeling camera I own....buy one you'll never regret it.......Regards,Bill
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Warning, buy one and you wont regret it - but then you start hoarding them!
I like the shooting with the M2 - there is nothing to take your mind of what you are doing - no distractions.
Just loaded another roll of XX in a black M2 with the 35f1.4 Nokton SC - that should last at least an hour or two on the beach!
I like the shooting with the M2 - there is nothing to take your mind of what you are doing - no distractions.
Just loaded another roll of XX in a black M2 with the 35f1.4 Nokton SC - that should last at least an hour or two on the beach!
I just bought one my [first] M2.
FrankS
Registered User
Betcha' can't eat just one!
Lilserenity
Well-known
I swear my EOS 3 has been plotting how to topple my M2 the moment it clapped its shutter on it sitting on my coffee table since last December.
I don't know what it is about smaller cameras but I've managed to pass on my love for the Leica to someone else at work.
It really does confirm to me that many of the bells and whistles on modern cameras (including modern film SLRs, this isn't some digital anti rant because I am not) are not necessary to take a good picture.
I have to say I was beginning to feel a little, well, unsure of 35mm by the end of 2008, perhaps thinking I needed to move towards MF.
I was wrong, shooting a Leica and an M2 at that is pure heaven.
I've finally found my camera some 18 years after I took my first photo with a rather naff 35mm point and shoot
I don't know what it is about smaller cameras but I've managed to pass on my love for the Leica to someone else at work.
It really does confirm to me that many of the bells and whistles on modern cameras (including modern film SLRs, this isn't some digital anti rant because I am not) are not necessary to take a good picture.
I have to say I was beginning to feel a little, well, unsure of 35mm by the end of 2008, perhaps thinking I needed to move towards MF.
I was wrong, shooting a Leica and an M2 at that is pure heaven.
I've finally found my camera some 18 years after I took my first photo with a rather naff 35mm point and shoot
thomasw_
Well-known
Ah, this thread is making me long even more for my M2 to come back home to Vancouver, BC, the traditional homeland of the M2 user ....a BP M2 will be coming my way!
....a BP M2 will be coming my way!
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Tom A
RFF Sponsor
That is going to take a lot of film to make it brassy. Looks good though.
Are you going to the Camera Swap on April 26 at Cameron Rec. Center at the Lougheed Mall? It is now becoming one of the biggest on the West Coast with 100-120 tables of "junque" and dusty relics.
Are you going to the Camera Swap on April 26 at Cameron Rec. Center at the Lougheed Mall? It is now becoming one of the biggest on the West Coast with 100-120 tables of "junque" and dusty relics.
Shin Oyama
Member
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Yes, I know them all!!! Winders I mean. It looks better than my own batch right now. Only three with winders - have to put together more of them for myself! I hate raiding my own cameras for winders, but the begging get so loud occasionally. Oh well - only have to make another 11 for myself and I will be happy again!
Shin Oyama
Member
Ah Tom, the price of success I am happy to say that all my winders are rapidly winding happily. Keep up the good work.
PS: I won't raiding you stock for M2 winders for a while. For a while anyway.
I am happy to say that all my winders are rapidly winding happily. Keep up the good work.PS: I won't raiding you stock for M2 winders for a while. For a while anyway.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Oh, famous last words!Ah Tom, the price of success
PS: I won't raiding you stock for M2 winders for a while. For a while anyway.