M2 or M4-2?

M2 or M4-2?

  • M2 (CLA Nov. 2009)

    Votes: 109 60.9%

  • M4-2 (Ex+ condition)

    Votes: 39 21.8%

  • Wait to find an M4.

    Votes: 27 15.1%

  • Silly rabbit, just stick with your M8.

    Votes: 4 2.2%
  • Total voters
    179
maggieo

maggieo

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So, I'm looking at an M2 and an M4-2, both in excellent condition, the M2 with a CLA in November 2009. They're within three dollars of each other, and just a bit more than $700US.

Is there any reason, aside from saving three dollars, that I should go with the M4-2 and not the M2? Or should I try to find an M4? M3 is out, because I love my 35s too much.
 
I think the M2 is a better camera. No flare on the rf patch and a probably brighter vf. But both cameras are basically the same and a great companion to the M8. The M4-2 is faster to load and rewind...
 
Depends on the focal length you're going to use. I only use the 35 so.. I got the M2.
M2s system of loading can be modified for a cheap price, it's very practical.
 
coelacanth said:
M2's simple frameline set is really great for 35/50/90. Loading isn't that difficult and quite fool-proof. I'd go with M2 for sure if I were you.
Click to expand...

Wow, seeing as how I have three Leica lenses, the Summaron, the Summilux and a Tele-Elmarit 90mm, I guess the M2 is the way to go, eh?
 
If it's an early M4-2 it won't make any practical difference, RF is the same as the M4, as flare free as the M2.

With M4-2 you gain: 135mm framelines, easier film loading, internal counter, VF less prone to separation since newer. And it's black if you care for that. That's it.

With M2 you possibly have DOF indicators in the patch, and possibly a self-timer. I like both, but many don't care. M2s should usually cost less than US 700.

Roland.
 
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The M2 has a self-timer and would the CLA reduce the chance of separation in the VF? Would that justify the extra $$$?
 
maggieo said:
Wow, seeing as how I have three Leica lenses, the Summaron, the Summilux and a Tele-Elmarit 90mm, I guess the M2 is the way to go, eh?
Click to expand...

Yep, that was my choice, too. I even got an MP with simplified framelines because I really disliked shared framelines on newer Ms. But M2's framelines are even better than simplified MP's. I really don't like MP's 90mm frame missing the corners.

Of course if you are into 75 or 135, M4-2 is the way to go, but again, if you are happy with 35/50/90 (and use entire VF for 28), you can't beat M2's VF.

And even after using an MP extensively, I actually like the simplicity of M2 (frameline, film counter, no battery, no ST on mine) more than MP.
 
maggieo said:
The M2 has a self-timer and would the CLA reduce the chance of separation in the VF? Would that justify the extra $$$?
Click to expand...

ST is a personal choice. I personally like cameras without ST and none of my M2, MP, IIIf has it, but others might prefer otherwise.

Separation of VF isn't tied to CLA, although you want to make sure the VF is fully intact right now. Slight "golden edges" is fine, but make sure nothing actually ON the prism being separated. Youxin once told me he hasn't seen fully separated VF on M2, unlike M3. And even if that happens in the future, M2's VF is easier to replace with newer M's compared to M3 or can be re silvered and glued with synthetic material although it's a expensive fix. I wouldn't worry about this too much as long as the VF is fully intact right now. My understanding is that unless you drop or give a huge shock to the camera, the separation won't progress rapidly even over decades. (please correct me if I'm wrong.)

I think if the service was done by a reliable Leica specialist like Don, Sherry or Youxin in the US, a bit over $700 is a great price tag for a CLA'ed good condition M2.
 
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That's a rather late one, possibly with modified VF (= more flare, alignment tool; nobody really knows when that happened, supposedly after the 2nd or 3rd batch).

Get the M2 then :)
 
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