M2: Shooting in the rain.

Roberto V.

Roberto V.

Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
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Lately I've been wanting to get into the Leica M system, and I decided to get an M2 once I have the money (I'm on a tight budget).
My question is: Can it be used in the rain? What are your experiences using M2s in rain?
I'm not planning to do this, but I wonder if it could handle some rain if it was necessary.
I'm still getting the M2 regardless of this, just curious. Thanks.


-Rob
 
how much rain? I walked around for two days shooting in the rain. Mostly drizzling to light rain. Every once in a while I had to wipe the water off the top plate and windows.
 
Probably it's good idea to keep camera out of bag after return - to remove accumulated moisture, also from leather halfcase if one is used.
 
As long as it doesn't get drenched it should be fine. Under the shutter speed dial and film winder are the problem areas. If water gets in here then it goes straight into the winding mech and the speed escapement. Water plus metal and air = rust = death of M2!
 
It goes without saying that a plastic bag with some strategically-placed holes can be a good thing.
 
None of my cameras work very well in the rain. I put them out there, but since it is raining, I don't join them. So, they never take any good images in the rain.
 
Leicas are not sealed very well. I will occasionally use my M2 in a light drizzle, but only for a couple of shots, with brief exposure. I dry it very carefully as soon as I'm done.
 
I used my MP in pouring rain. It still works perfectly.
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As a resident in Vancouver - not shooting in the rain would severely limited picture opportunities. I tend to tuck the camera under my arm or inside my jacket when not looking through it. Once in a while I will seek shelter (a cafe' is good - dry out and refuel at the same time) and wipe off the camera/lens. Biggest problem is the shutterspeed dial/film advance as they are not well sealed. However, it is rare that you get enough water in there to do damage with "normal" walk around shooting.
I would not worry to much about it anyway. Keep it reasonably dry, wipe it off frequently and change lenses/film under a shelter of some kind.
If you suspect that it has gotten drenched - dont let it sit idle - dry-fire it for a extended period (couple of 100 frames) to prevent it from rusting or corroding. If you drop it in water - of to service it goes!!!!
My approach is that if I can take the weather - so can the camera.
 
Dear Rob,

I'm with Tom. I've used Leicas in the rain for decades -- even during the monsoon in India. They're under cover (a rain cape, or just under my jacket, though that brings humidity problems of its own) when I'm not shooting, but quoting Tom directly, if I can take the weather - so can the camera. Across the years that's IIIa, A, M3, M2, M4-P, MP, M8, M8.2, M9.

Cheers,

R.
 
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I second the remarks Tom and Roger have made.

Never had any issues with my M3/M6/M7 or with my M8/M9 for that matter. I sorta treat them as if they were my hands; if it's cold or rainy I don't want to expose them but if I need to do work (or make an image) I bring them out. If that requires extended time then so be it, both the camera and I suck it up.

The only cameras I have had with weather issues were my Nikon F4s, F100 and Canon 5D MkII.
 
Im the mid 90's a friend and I shot leica M6s for 6 hours in heavy rain for " A Day Without Art" in philly. There were many photogs organized to shoot the event. My friend and I were the only people shooting at the end of the day. The cameras were soaked. Most of the other cameras shut down for some reason or other. I still have that M6. I also shot it 5 years later in the hardest rain I was ever exposed to on the top of a ruin at Coba in Mexico. Camera is still functioning perfectly with only 1 cla by Dag 2 years ago. I don't understand why people feel they need to baby any M6 ot any M body. They can take the rain better the the phographer shooting it.
 
Went on a boat trip the other day. It was windy and rainy, camera and lens got soaking wet all day long. I could see water settling on my lens hood (rectangular). I was wipping it from time to time of course and kept it in a dry place for some time, but generally it was wet. No sea water, we went down the river and then to the marina. End of the day I take the train back home and the M6 viewfinder has fogged (condensation). The lens too. Everything was working fine but I could not see quite clearly. I get back home unmount the lens, let them dry in a cupboard. After a few hours everything was cleared, but when I mounted the lens (35 summicron v4) the focus ring got stuck to infinity. The M6 functions flawlessly, but the lens won't move. I didn't knock it anywhere. Anyway, just stating my experience. I've shot in the rain quite alot (living in the UK) and never had a problem before that. I always thought the body would give up first but I was wrong. It's the lens now. Looking for a repairman at the moment. I guess I was too cocky.
 
Shooting in the rain makes for unique shots and shooting a Leica M2 is awesome. People are running about on the street looking for cover, looking to get to their destination and they are less defensive/observant about anything around them. Get shots are are special while being unobserved.

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I have to admit those two rain shots are most inspirational. Now that I have a M6 TTL, I'm starting to think that if I can get an M2 at the right price, it would make a good second body, especially for conditions such as this.
 
I'd be happy to take a fully manual M out in the rain, or even an M6/TTL. I might start becoming reluctant with an M7 - there's a lot more electronics on one of them than there is in an M6 or TTL - and I can't help thinking that Roger was pretty brave taking the digital Ms out in the wet.

Interesting comment from Stelios about the lens failing after it got wet. Like him I'd have assumed that the lenses were bullet-proof. Obviously not. (When I said 'interesting' I meant 'interesting for me'. Obviously it's pretty bad news for Stelios!)
 
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