M2 versions

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Joshua_G

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What are the different versions of M2 and what is the significance of the various versions?​
​
Well, self-timer is obvious.​
Is there any difference in build quality and focusing ease between the versions with button rewind versus lever rewind?​
Do all M2 versions have depth of field marks?​
Is there any particular version recommended as for build quality and focusing ease?​
 
There's no difference in quality. Some people prefer the lever rewind. I believe they all have the DOF marks in the rangefinder patch, but I'm not 100%certain.

Richard
 
The problem with the button rewind is that it is too easy (for some people) to press accidently. Depends how long your fingers are.

Another variation is the addition of the rapid loading system to the M2-R, a late model.
 
laptoprob said:
afaik all are the same, with the obvious difference of rewind knob or lever and presence or absence of the self timer.
Click to expand...

The M2R has the M4 film loading take-up..
 
Sorry to highjack, but:
When I look through my viewfinder, (M2) the rangefinder patch has to pieces coming off the top and bottom of it. Any input on this?
Its looks like this:

m2framelinesla6.jpg


Is that normal?
 
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Ah thats what I was pulling from the above post.
And thanks for the help, I shoot an M3, with an M2 viewfinder.
Its a Frankenstein. But I dig it. 🙂
 
The notches are for debth of field at 5.6 and 16. If the two rf images are separated by the indicated amount, you will be in focus.
 
there are basically 4 versions of the M2. The early "Press" button version (and there are of course two variations of that! One requires that you hold the button in while rewinding, the other one the button stays in rewind mode as you rewind -most of the time!). I avoid these as it is too easy to rip film if you are rewinding film and you either release the pressure on the button, or it decides to pop out by itself. These bodies are in the 926 000-950 000 range. Occasionally you find early ones that have been converted to lever.
The "run of the mill" M2's run from 950 000 up to 1164 000 and there was approx. 80 000 made. These have lever rewinds and come with or without self timers. These are also the numbers in which you find black paint ones and if you are really lucky, one of the 20 Air Force bluegray.
The pressure from Nikon's SP forced Leica to make a motorized version of the M2. Initially the motor was made by Goldberg in N.Y, and later Leica put their name on it. The Nikon S-36 was famous for cheerfully exposing the whole roll when you triggered the relase. The M2-M usually would stop half way through a roll.
You can find non M2-M marked M2 with the motor connection as Leica would convert exisiting cameras for the motor.
The US Army ordered a series of M2's in the mid sixties with a package consisting of of a 35/2,8, a DR summicron and the 135/4. These cameras had an M4 type take up spool and the couple of them that I have had, also had a 135 frame in the finder. Leica produced about 2500 more of these than the Army ordered and later sold them to the public as M2R's with a 50dr Summicron (with a # in 2.300 000 range, although some lenses carry a #2 400 000 range. The latter is thought to be an over-run and these are quite rare).
From a functional point of view, all the M2's work the same. Only difference is that the military version and the M2 R cannot take the Leicavit MP.
The M2 was initially made as a lower cost version of the M3 as well as a response to the "pro's" demand for a camera that could use a 35mm lens without either the goggles or an auxillary finder on top. By cutting out the auto reset of the film counter and the very complex finder on the M3, it could be sold for about 20% less.
I have used M2's for 40 years + and I consider it the apex of camera design. It is the most comfortable of the M's to use and as it has no fancy finder or film counter to go 'bump in the night" - they tend to last almost indefinitely. The finder is a 0.72 magnification and the parts are common with even the newer leica's and can thus be fixed today.
A couple of M2's, a 21/35/50/90 combination of lenses and the proverbial grocery bag filled with Tri X should be enough for anyone to cover most anything photographically.
 
Tom A said:
By cutting out the auto reset of the film counter and the very complex finder on the M3, it could be sold for about 20% less.
Click to expand...

Tom, maybe you can be the one to answer something I consider unanswerable:

What is it about the M3 viewfinder that is so complicated?

It is always mentioned that the M2's finder is less technical or complex, though it is never stated exactly what about the M3 finder was complicated.
 
erikhaugsby said:
What is it about the M3 viewfinder that is so complicated?

The M3 finder has several fancy prisms, including one that is a"laminated" large block that contains the permanent 50mm lines. Most of the problems you encounter with the M3 is cracked and fading lines in this prism and delaminating of the prisms, or "fungus' - which can look like a tropical growth! Most of the parts in the M3 finder are unique to this finder and as they are old now, parts are getting difficult to get, if at all possible. It is also a very costly finder to replace, around $700.
Leica can replace the 0,91 finder of the M3 with the 0.85, although I dont know how much it costs. Considering the age of the M2/M3 it is amazing how sturdy they are. There are a lot of these cameras out there with very good finders, so unless you have access to a "mintish" finder, stay away from the faded, blacked out ones, unless they are really cheap and calculate with at least $7-800 for fixing it.
The outlook for Leica's is better than the Nikon Rf's. It is virtually impossible to get parts for those finders. I have a mintish S2 black Dial with a defunct 2nd rangefinder mirror (it has the patch clearly defined, but the "swinging" mirror is dead). So far no luck in finding someone who can re-manufacture one of these.
At the moment it serves as a body for non-coupled lenses, 12/15 and a pre-war Tessar 28f8, but it would be nice to get it in working shape.
Click to expand...
 
Tom A

CRR Luton rework M3 finders so you still have the origional finder, and it is cheaper than a 0.85 transplant.
I'd ask about your Nikon on the off chance.

Noel
 
Xmas said:
Tom A

I'd ask about your Nikon on the off chance.

Noel
Click to expand...
thanks, I would appreciate that. I have the S2 with the dead focus on it and a SP with a weak image (this is my sunny f16 camera as it needs bright light for focussing). The SP finder is extremely complex so I might have to live with it as is and hope that Global Warming will ensure more sunlight in Western Canada.
 
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