M2 newb - whats this button do?

[Carzee]

Here's a pic of an M2.

On the left end of the Leica near the film winder shaft is a button.

Is it the rewind release?

 

[Fabian]

I think the button you mean is just there to hold the bottom plate.

 

[markinlondon]

Here's a link to the M2 Manual. That'll tell you what all the bits are for. The round thing next to the advance is a blind screw head.

 

[kalokeri]

What exactly do you mean?

The "button" on top left to the frame counter is not a button but a mark for the film counter.

On the front there is no button (like the early M2 had), but a rewind lever.

Thomas

 

[richard_l]

It doesn't do anything.

Richard

 

[Carzee]

bottom plate?

Its close to the frame counter wheel - nothing to do with it?

 

[Carzee]

wow, overwhelmed with helpers. THX all.

...about 4 cross posts by my count.

so its a screw head AND a marker for the frame wheel thx.

 

[Carzee]

while everyone is here.... rapidwinders for the M2 by Tom.. are they for special modded M2s only or do they fit any M2?

 

[laptoprob]

The M2 versions fit the M2 only.

 

[Carzee]

The M2 versions fit the M2 only.

...and they are sold out by my reading Tom's page...

 

[Carzee]

... newb city: What is an IXMOO then - a special M2? or are all M2s called IXMoo?

 

[Carzee]

right....

I got to read up obviously.
...a film cassette specially for the M2... and presumably all other M's as well?

 

[volker]

This button allows you to reset the frame counter (if that's the right technical term) to 0. Not required on other Ms since it's automatic but with the M2 you have to fiddle a bit. I think this was a cost saving exercise since the M2 was considered a cheaper versin of the M3.

 

[payasam]

Go easy, Erik.

 

[colyn]

On the left end of the Leica near the film winder shaft is a button.

Is it the rewind release?

The button you refer to is a cap screw that holds the top plate on..

 

[Rogrund]

So many different suggestions... can we make this thread a poll? 😀

 

[Xmas]

The leitz cassettes dont use felt light traps, so they dont scratch. They are physically opened & closed in the camera by the baseplate lock, as the lock is latched and unlatched respectively, the lock mechanism is part of the rapidwinder.

Noel

 

[Tom A]

Welcome to the world of M2. The little flat screw or cap is there to hold the top-plate in place.
As for the Rapidwinder M2, the original series of 300 is sold out, but by popular demand (and to replace the ones i took off my own cameras out of the goodness of my heart) I have another series of 100 going. I added the feature of this being able to open/close the leica reloadable cassettes. It works fine with regular film cassettes of course, just like a regualr baseplate. I tend to use "long reel" film, either 100ft or 400ft rolls and the metal IXMOO's are good for loading as they dont scratch the film and until you have figured out how to, you will also spend quite a while in total darkness and not being able to spend money.
I still have some M2 Rapidwinders in stock (two at the moment) and enough stock to make some more. The original leicavit MP is rare and expensive, and parts are unavailable.
The Rapidwinder is designed primarily for those of us who focus with our left eye. It allows you to shoot several frames without dropping the camera from you face and it also avoids having the glasses skewed on your face after having them banged into the film advance arm!
Beware though, M2's are addictive and might lead to things like "Oh, i need one more for the 35" or "if I get a 21 it would be nice to have a dedicated body for it"
or the more common one "damn, I just want more of them"!

 

[Carzee]

Thx Tom, will order as soon as the bank balance recovers. I'm a left-eye shooter too. A great post and very informative.

The photo above is of My First Leica Purchase...

I just brought the M2 and Summicron (my birthday in 2 days) from a good seller:

This gentleman in LA:
http://photo.net/shared/community-member?user_id=42412

 

[Tom A]

If you are going to shoot a lot of black/white, start hunting down IXMOO cassettes. They do save a lot of scratches etc and the film cost drops dramatically. The key is that you get the iXMOO. The cassettes preceding them works only on Leica screw mount cameras. Easiest way to identify them is to look for cassettes with a chrome "knob" on the top. To load a 100 ft roll you will need about 18-19 of them. It is a boring to load them so I usually do a full 100 ft roll at one time. Then I have a week/10 days supply of film available and have forgotten the labor of loading them. Of course, when I go crazy I load 180 cassettes (1000 ft) and shoot away for a couple of month.
Only risk with Oz is the sunshine! It is one of the few places where I have had holes burned in shutters. You dont have to leave a camera facing the sun for long to get a pinhole! Had it happen with a Super Angulon 21/3,4 in Cooper Pedy by just having the camera hanging off my shoulder!
We have still have our Opal mining licenses from Cooper Pedy. Didn't find much (this was in 1970), but spending three weeks there. Living in an old VW bus by the "underground church". Switched the bus to a Honda 450 in Brisbane and crossed the Nullarbor on that (two up) as well as a substantial distance on the old Gunbarrel track!
We went back in 86/87 and did the "square" in a 1979 Holden Panel Van (30 000km in 8 month). Love the light in the Outback and I still like my Vegemite!