tj01
Well-known
M2 in a heartbeat
M2 or M4-2?
- Thread starter maggieo
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PikitAndShoot
Newbie
m2 for sure. uncluttered VF specially if you use 35s most of the time.
maddoc
... likes film again.
The M2 I had for some time still had the original wax seal with a "L" stamp, never serviced. That camera worked still sufficient well to expose Kodachrome slide film correctly and focus was spot on after I adjusted it myself (5 minutes work). On the other hand, my actual M4-P had a "recent CLA" when I bought it and needed a complete (expensive) overhaul by Leica to be brought back to factory specs... Therefore, from my experience, I wouldn`t give so much about "recent CLA" but prefer a newer camera for the same price and only if something is wrong with it then I would have it let serviced (preferable by Leica).
But I totally agree with you, either from Wetzlar or Midland doesn`t make the slightest difference.
Bingley
Veteran
I'm enjoying the conversation, and have enormous respect for all the participants. I've never used an M4-2. But I can say that an M2 in good condition is a joy. I, too, love the M2's uncluttered framelines and simplicity. The film advance is incredibly smooth. And it is not at all hard to load. But! At the end of the day, if it were me making the choice, I'd base it on the condition of the particular camera.
Edit: P.S.: But I voted for the M2! 🙂
Edit: P.S.: But I voted for the M2! 🙂
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I can think of many arguments in support one or the other. I have used both and both are fine cameras. In the end I thought $700 for an EX+ M4-2 would be too hard to pass up. I have been using the M Motor along side my Rapidwinders so the M4-2 would also be more practical to me. I agree if you can feel both cameras side by side the M2 would have the edge. The action of the M2/3/4 is like tearing silk while the M4-2 is like pushing a lawnmower.
maggieo
More Deadly
elude
Some photographer
congrats ! and have fun 🙂
maggieo
More Deadly
zenlibra
Crazy Leica Fox
I'm waiting for my new M2 to arrive any day now, my first Leica. It was CLA'd by Ye Youxin in September 2009 with new shutter curtains and new skin.
normclarke
normclarke
M2 vs M4-2
M2 vs M4-2
Having owned several M2's and one M4-2 the only 'issues' that come to mind are black chrome vs satin and age. I never found the handling or feel to be different between these two. I certainly could not see a better product when considering the usage, the results are identical. My M4-2 was a late model which I had serviced by Leica UK at an exhorbinate cost and frankly could not see any added value, I certainly did not function any better on return. No doubt if you stripped and compared them side by side the quality of the M2 MAY be obvious. I think a lot of hype surrounds the M4-2 as to shutter problems with early models but few will be arround that are still faulty after all these years. Another point is that the r/f prism is not balsamed and not as likely to deteriorate as is the M2. (and early M4 as well)
Best,
normclarke
M2 vs M4-2
Having owned several M2's and one M4-2 the only 'issues' that come to mind are black chrome vs satin and age. I never found the handling or feel to be different between these two. I certainly could not see a better product when considering the usage, the results are identical. My M4-2 was a late model which I had serviced by Leica UK at an exhorbinate cost and frankly could not see any added value, I certainly did not function any better on return. No doubt if you stripped and compared them side by side the quality of the M2 MAY be obvious. I think a lot of hype surrounds the M4-2 as to shutter problems with early models but few will be arround that are still faulty after all these years. Another point is that the r/f prism is not balsamed and not as likely to deteriorate as is the M2. (and early M4 as well)
Best,
normclarke
maggieo
More Deadly
If I hadn't been so worried from reading about early M4-2's problems, I would have snatched up this one in the classifieds and saved myself almost $100. But I hesitated and now I have an M2 on the way.
But really, with an M, can you really go wrong?
But really, with an M, can you really go wrong?
Sandro
Newbie
Yopu probably can't go wrong with an M. As soon as the M4-2 is mentioned, its supposed faults are told, but in fact after many years every M needs a good CLA. My 4-2 had one recently and works very smooth and nicely. An M2 will be there sometime...
Good luck and enjoy your M2!
Lex
Good luck and enjoy your M2!
Lex
ferider
Veteran
dacookieman
Cookie Monster
Nokton48
Veteran
I own an M4-2, M2, and M5. My favorite so far is, the M5. The M2 is an incredibly close second. All three finders are similar in actual usuage. M2 and M4-2 have TomA Rapidwinders, that's a major advantage. 🙂
FrankS
Registered User
I've owned and sold an M4-2, M2, M3, M5, and M6. Currently, I own 2 M2's.
maggieo
More Deadly
The M2 got here on Tuesday and I've run a roll of film through it. Man, it's nice! Also, it's the same age as me; it was meant to be! Here's one of the first shots from that roll, taken with my '51 Summaron 35/3.5 LTM:
Black & White conversion in LightZone from a bad Walgreens' scan of some old Kodak color print film. But hey, it's the M2!
Black & White conversion in LightZone from a bad Walgreens' scan of some old Kodak color print film. But hey, it's the M2!
maddoc
... likes film again.
That looks very good !! ... and congrats to your new M2 !🙂
The M2 got here on Tuesday and I've run a roll of film through it. Man, it's nice! Also, it's the same age as me; it was meant to be! Here's one of the first shots from that roll, taken with my '51 Summaron 35/3.5 LTM:
Black & White conversion in LightZone from a bad Walgreens' scan of some old Kodak color print film. But hey, it's the M2!
Bill Blackwell
Leica M Shooter
You made the right choice. Should you choose to do so, anytime down the road your M2 can be converted to M4 style film loading - due to the external frame counter mechanism, it’s really not that difficult a conversion.
jordan.dickinson
Jordan Dickinson
The M2 is the right choice as far as I'm concerned with a close second vote for the M4 (I own and use both extensively). They are phenomenally built, and amazingly smooth. I actually just completely refurbished a Leica M2, with brand new top plate (with no M2 or serial number engravings...and looks amazing), CLA, complete recovering of chipping vulcanite, and Artisan and Artist half case to top it off. I spent about $1100 dollars bringing this camera up to date because it is just a gem of a camera.
The only thing that brings down these older cameras is the lack of meters, but hey, that is extremely minor. On top of that, if I were more conscious of my settings I probably wouldn't need a meter at all....
IMHO, the M2/M4 are the way to go. Good luck with your new M!!!
Finally, as a minor bias...I've heard that some of the internal parts of the M4-2 are plastic...and who wants that?!?
The only thing that brings down these older cameras is the lack of meters, but hey, that is extremely minor. On top of that, if I were more conscious of my settings I probably wouldn't need a meter at all....
IMHO, the M2/M4 are the way to go. Good luck with your new M!!!
Finally, as a minor bias...I've heard that some of the internal parts of the M4-2 are plastic...and who wants that?!?
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