M2 button rewind

[ymc226]

What is the difference in function and value between a M2 with the usual lever and one with a button rewind?

 

[Al Kaplan]

Value would depend more on condition than anything, and the button rewinds are a few years older. I have one and it works fine, and I also have an M2-R which was the tail end of M2 production. Other than having the M4 style loading I don't see any functional difference between the two M2's.

 

[edodo]

I am not an expert but the button rewind is earlier and considered inferior because of the lack of self timer. The button rewind should be a little cheaper.

In leica world, it is the condition that dictates the value more than anything else.

For the camera bodies, a recent CLA, the scratches and dings, perfect shutter times etc... All will add or cut on the value end price

 

[amateriat]

I am not an expert but the button rewind is earlier and considered inferior because of the lack of self timer. The button rewind should be a little cheaper.

Then, too, some (like me) actually prefer the early M2 for exactly the same reason; the lack of a self-timer, and its necessary lever, makes for an unobtrusive grip with the right hand (and, interestingly enough, somewhat obviating the need for an auxiliary finger-grip).

I'm betting that most Leica Ms have self-timers whose geartrains have rarely been exercised.


- Barrett

 

[efkbl]

I am not an expert but the button rewind is earlier and considered inferior because of the lack of self timer. The button rewind should be a little cheaper.

Actually, some button rewind M2s do have a self timer:

 

[tonys]

One of the differences is that Button M2's have a noticeably smoother film advance than their lever rewind self timer counterparts.

The Button M2's I am told by a famous repairer of Leica had similar type gearing to the DS M3 and most users will also say that DS M3's are smoother than their single stroke counterparts.

 

[gilpen123]

Yup my previous M2 has button r and self timer.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Catalogue No: 10,800 or "KOOHE" was without the self timer and catalogue No: 10,308 or KOOHV" had the self timer. Price for those two bodies effective 26.8.60 was US $234 and $246

The "with" version was called the "Leica MS2 - the M2 with built in self-timer" on the old brochures for the M2 (List 11_37b / Engl). Later brochures have the model with the ST on it and no choice offered.

Hope this is some help. I've the without version with the button rewind, and haven't really missed the ST.

Regards, David

 

[Melvin]

Then, too, some (like me) actually prefer the early M2 for exactly the same reason; the lack of a self-timer, and its necessary lever, makes for an unobtrusive grip with the right hand (and, interestingly enough, somewhat obviating the need for an auxiliary finger-grip).

I'm betting that most Leica Ms have self-timers whose geartrains have rarely been exercised.


- Barrett

I second this. I chose my M2 because of its lack of self-timer.

 

[mr_phillip]

I am not an expert but the button rewind is earlier and considered inferior because of the lack of self timer. The button rewind should be a little cheaper.

The Self timer was an option on both the button and early lever rewind models. It only became standard equipment circa 1961. Like others here, when I bought my lever rewind M2 I specifically sought one without the timer (I'd never have used it and I think the camera looks better 'clean'). There's a view that models with serial numbers over 1,000,000 are generally slightly better built, but we're talking very fine distinctions here.

Functionally, the very earliest button models required the user to hold the button in manually while rewinding; later ones adopted a handier system where the button stays in of its own accord once pressed. Early versions also lacked the guard around the button, causing some users to accidentally depress the button while shooting (rotating the camera for portrait layout makes this more likely), resulting in double exposures.

Like other folks have said, condition and history are more important to value than version with M2s. And given the age of these cameras, the smoothness of the operation is more likely to be a result of when it was last serviced and by whom.

 

[ymc226]

I just got a M2 with a button rewind. When I press the button, it doesn't stay down but springs back. How can I tell if I need to keep it depressed manually throughout the whole time I rewind film or if I can press it in, let go, and rewind?

 

[Al Kaplan]

If you can't rewind when you let go of the button then just keep it pressed down. I honestly don't know if it's supposed to stay down. Mine doesn't and never did, but I bought it second hand in 1972, shot hundreds, probably thousands, of rolls with it, and so far my button pushing finger hasn't worn out.

I usually cradle the camera in my left hand, lens between index and middle fingers, pushing the button with my middle finger.

 

[Tom A]

If your M2 is a very early one #926xxx - 927xx and thereabouts - it is normal that the buttons has to be held down while you rewind. On later versions it supposedly should stay down - but with use, it could become worn and require holding it down. Later Leica switched to the lever which is an improvement as you dont have to assign a finger to it for rewinding.
You can have the button rewind replaced by a Leica tech, if you find it bothersome to keep it pressed down.
Personally, I stay away from the "Button down" M2's as I have had film torn when it has popped up and locked the function. Apart from that, your early M2 is just as good a camera as a later one - and if you rewind carefully - keep on using it.

 

[Leica All Day]

There are 2 different types (according to Mr.Ye) of the button release on the m2, one you have to hold it down the whole time while you rewind, the second type is that the button stays down once it is pushed...I bought the first one used for a cheap price and after two days decided to send it in for a CLA and I asked Youxin about converting the button to a lever rewind...he said it was easier and cheaper to just switch the chasis...so I switched the button reiwnd chasis to a lever rewind chasis and I am very happy with it....the thing that I didn't like about holding the button down was that I HAD to have a finger dedicated to holding that button down...but, to be honest I probably never would of sent the camera in to just do that, but because it was getting a CLA, I figured I would ask him...oh, and one more thing....my m2 is definetly a user, it has scratches on the top plate, a small ding on the back, and a bunch of wear around the edges and it's got some guys name engraved in it....so I wasn't concerned with keeping it "original"...I just wanted a cheap m2 that worked good....to be honest, I couldn't be happier....cheers.....michael

 

[drec]

I can say that my recently-CLA'd button-rewind M2 is the smoothest winding Leica M I've ever had, smoother still than my pretty-smooth SS M3 that was also CLA'd in the past few years. I didn't know they could get any smoother than the M3 until I used that M2. Noticeable difference.

 

[Pete B]

I have 2 lever rewind M2s. One with self timer and one without. I find the self timer useful for long exposures (rather than carrying a cable release).
Pete

 

[105012]

I can say that my recently-CLA'd button-rewind M2 is the smoothest winding Leica M I've ever had, smoother still than my pretty-smooth SS M3 that was also CLA'd in the past few years. I didn't know they could get any smoother than the M3 until I used that M2. Noticeable difference.

The key here is whether or not the M3 or M2 has the spring based wind return or the geared one. Double and single stroke M3's prior to 963xxx have the smoother winding spring return, as did the early M2's.

 

[leicapixie]

There are no parts if a problem with button rewind.
Mine fell off. No parts anywhere except off another M2.
The shutter is NOT same as newer M2's.
It is slightly "shorter" !
Mine i can still use with black tape over the small hole.
Kinderman ca., TY for the screw.
My M2 is a smooth as my worn M3, now almost 51 years in service.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This is my button rewind M2, the smoothest thing in the world.

Erik.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

My lever rewind M2 w/o ST was serviced by a famous London Leica dealer or repair shop, before I purchased it. I wish I knew what shop it was. The seal was not stamped. Any clues?
I cannot imagine a smoother wind-on, but I've never been invited to a blind test.