M2 or M4-2?

[Mr G]

I'd get an m4, but that's me..

 

[coelacanth]

I'm quite happy with CanoScan 8600F that I bought for $150 (paid only $50 coz I had a coupon). It takes both 35mm and medium format, and I use VueScan instead of stock software. But I scan negatives only for quick posting on Flickr and blog, and do all serious prints in darkroom so my expectation/requirements to film scanner is quite low. I think Epson V500 and V700 are quite popular here, but that's really depending on how you are using the scanned photos.

 

[maggieo]

I'd get an m4, but that's me..

Why's that?

 

[Mr G]

because it's sexy.
okay...seriously, m2 is nice but I like the quick loading better and it's going to be a bit "younger" than the m2
m4-2, m4-p are nice too and they'd probably serve you just as well.
I'm just saying that if I had to spend the money I would go for the m4, you can't get any better than that really... g

 

[wgerrard]

As a new owner of an M2 from Youxin, I'm biased toward that model. Film loading isn't foolproof, but it isn't a real issue, either. My biggest worry is that I'll lose the takeup spool. Replacements seem hard to find and rather expensive. If you align the film properly, you should no have problems. But, I'd recommend sacrificing a roll or two to practice loading.

Go here to read or download an M2 manual.

 

[cidereye]

How quickly does one normally need to load a film in reality? 🙂

I personally chose the M2 over an M4-2 based on less cluttered VF and better/classic Leica build. Film loading times are no deal breaker for me nor are 135mm lenses but it's all personal of course.

Scanners? I use an Epson V700 myself, great for BW & C41 BW, also scans print film like Kodak Ektar beautifully but Velvia? Arrrgggghhhh!

 

[calexg]

I've never used an M2 but I absolutely adore my M4-2. Best camera I've ever used.

 

[Finder]

How often do you change film in the M8?

I am curious. Why do you want a film body? This is not a film/digital thing, but more of an interest why you want the body.

 

[ernstk]

M2. Especially with the lenses you use. It's better built than the M4-2 and feels much nicer in use. Film loading isn't even a minor issue so don't worry about it.

Simply enjoy the better engineering and the fact that you're using one of the best M cameras ever made.

Ernst

 

[maggieo]

I miss shooting film. Nothing else quite looks like it, especially in B&W.

 

[maggieo]

I blame Helen for my film lust. Her and Eric's photos just look so damn good. I want in on that, however pale an imitation I might be.

 

[alifil]

Film loading in the M2 is easy and fast, do not worry about that. Tom Abrahamsson shows you how to do it, see, it's easy. I think the advance leaver on the M4 is probably less elegant (but who cares), and faster. I love my M2 for its simplicity, and for the fact that it's not a museum-camera, despite its age.

 

[helen.HH]

Sorry I'm LATE to the Party ..... 😱

I went from a chrome M2 I ADORED
to a chrome M4 which I was totally SMITTEN with

with re: to loading film
the M2 took a few seconds MORE
the M4 was for me a tad easier to load
with re: to Viewfinder:
Both worked supremely well / no issues with flare... etc

Now I have a black chrome .58 M6ttl which I am quite HAPPY with
if I decide to get another M
it would be the tres sexy M4-P

either way YOU can;t go wrong
too bad You can't hold them both & get a 'FEEL'
cause M's definitely talk to ya....😀

So Cooool to hear your getting 'ONE'
Cheers - xo -H

 

[helen.HH]

I blame Helen for my film lust. Her and Eric's photos just look so damn good. I want in on that, however pale an imitation I might be.

awhhhh, just saw this....How very kind of YOU...
love, love, love ya magpie... 😀
though it WAS Eric who pushed me to get off my a**
and get back into FILM
I never looked back
I'm an ADDICT for sure & Love to Develop
but have not scanned yet...that gets sent to the local lab
Scanning is on my 2010 List of things to Do...😕

 

[maggieo]

When I lived in San Francisco and was shooting with either my XA or F3, I had a lab in Burlingame, CA that I used to use to scan my Ektachrome and Kodachrome frames and those files always looked great. I reckon I'll do something similar here in Lincoln for a while.

Here's a little project I did with the XA from those days:

http://www.mediawench.com/opals/

 

[maddoc]

A late M4-2 in excellent condition for $700 ? I would buy the M4-2, newer, more rugged (steel gears), internal frame-counter, motor / Rapidwinder, . When I had both, an M2 and M4-P, I kept the M4-P and sold the M2 for above reasons.

 

[maggieo]

A late M4-2 in excellent condition for $700 ? I would buy the M4-2, newer, more rugged (steel gears), internal frame-counter, motor / Rapidwinder, . When I had both, an M2 and M4-P, I kept the M4-P and sold the M2 for above reasons.

Did yours have the condenser lens in the finder?

 

[thomasw_]

For your focal length preferences the M2 rocks! A cluttered M4-2 VF or a simple M2 VF: an easy decision, as simplicity is a beautiful, efficient way to roll.

 

[maddoc]

Did yours have the condenser lens in the finder?

Nope. None of my M4-P ever had the condenser lens in the VF. But then, I have used a lot of different Leica cameras over the years (M2, M3 3x, M4 2x, M4-P 2x, M5, M6 2x, M6TTL 0.85x, MP, M7) and out of all of them only the M6 and M6TTL gave me sometimes problems regarding VF flare. Except the Leica M3 with a different VF design (arrangement of the frame line masks) ALL Leica M cameras show RF patch flare to some lesser or greater extend, even the actual MP (or M7 with MP VF).

If the RF patch flares out, a little tilt of shift of the eye solves the problem in most of the cases. 🙂

 

[maddoc]

For your focal length preferences the M2 rocks! A cluttered M4-2 VF or a simple M2 VF: an easy decision, as simplicity is a beautiful, efficient way to roll.

Thomas, why is the M4-2 VF cluttered 😕 From memory, it is identical to the M4: 35 + 135, 50, 90. So except for the 35mm FL, the 50mm and 90mm are single frames similar to the M2.