dreamsandart
Well-known
My second M-series after an M3 was the M2, it was cheaper than an M4 which at the time was still a 'new' camera.
But I always wanted an M4 from the get go and got one (and had a few), using them for a few decades now. Having multiple examples of both the M2 and M4 can say both are great cameras and you can't go wrong with either.
Advantages of the M4 for me are: the rewind crank, although some folks have had trouble I never have, and its just a bit faster in use as long as you keep your fingers on it. I like the 135 frame, don't have a 135mm now but it works fine with a 135mm f4 Elmar especially if you have a x1.25 magnifier, and I use the lines like a grid in the finder to lineup (leveling) and for frame composition. The quick-load feature is great, just get both both top and bottom sprocket holes started and I never miss-load. I even like the plastic wind-on angled tab for a gentle on the thumb feel. Of course there is also the self setting film counter which makes it a non-thinking issue. The finder cement is better than the balsam cement used on the M2/M3 (changed after the M4 first production series) and a finder with separation is unusual. It still has all the classic M-series elements, brass top and bottom plates, engravings, not cemented together full adjustment finder, and rugged built construction. I've been on extended travels and in harsh conditions and the M4 has never let me down.
Advantages of the M2: uses the take-up spool, sounds like a contradiction to what I say about the quickload system, but is sure and an extra take-up spool with film pre-threaded makes a quick change. Uncluttered 1-frame per-lens. All metal parts, which looks nice and one of the things Leica folks howled about with the M4's plastic parts. Can take an original Leicavit, a no go for most users now with their price. Usually less money than an M4.
Both are getting on in years now and to make them carefree in use should have a good CLA/overhaul, but with that will still be going strong for many years.
But I always wanted an M4 from the get go and got one (and had a few), using them for a few decades now. Having multiple examples of both the M2 and M4 can say both are great cameras and you can't go wrong with either.
Advantages of the M4 for me are: the rewind crank, although some folks have had trouble I never have, and its just a bit faster in use as long as you keep your fingers on it. I like the 135 frame, don't have a 135mm now but it works fine with a 135mm f4 Elmar especially if you have a x1.25 magnifier, and I use the lines like a grid in the finder to lineup (leveling) and for frame composition. The quick-load feature is great, just get both both top and bottom sprocket holes started and I never miss-load. I even like the plastic wind-on angled tab for a gentle on the thumb feel. Of course there is also the self setting film counter which makes it a non-thinking issue. The finder cement is better than the balsam cement used on the M2/M3 (changed after the M4 first production series) and a finder with separation is unusual. It still has all the classic M-series elements, brass top and bottom plates, engravings, not cemented together full adjustment finder, and rugged built construction. I've been on extended travels and in harsh conditions and the M4 has never let me down.
Advantages of the M2: uses the take-up spool, sounds like a contradiction to what I say about the quickload system, but is sure and an extra take-up spool with film pre-threaded makes a quick change. Uncluttered 1-frame per-lens. All metal parts, which looks nice and one of the things Leica folks howled about with the M4's plastic parts. Can take an original Leicavit, a no go for most users now with their price. Usually less money than an M4.
Both are getting on in years now and to make them carefree in use should have a good CLA/overhaul, but with that will still be going strong for many years.