M2 VF DoF indicators?

R

RML

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I've been reading Cameraquest's entry on the M2 today and I'm confused about the following:

Quoted from Cameraquest.com
M2's have a Depth of Field indicators built into the RF cutout. Notice the little cutouts on the upper and lower edges of the RF image. The cutouts indicate Depth of Field for 50mm lenses at f/5.6(larger lower cutout) and f/16(larger upper cutout). If the double image is within the cutout, either in front of or behind the focused object, both objects will be sharp. Unfortunately, this feature was not continued with later M's.
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Cheking my M2's VF I fail to understandwhere those cutouts are supposed to be, or how I should recognise them. There are no cutouts in my VF as far as I know. The only thing I see are little extrusions on lower and upper side of the VF patch, and I don't see these to be of any use as DoF indicators.

Does anyone have an idea? Is my VF replaced some time during its 43 year lifespan?
 
Its the little extrusions: there is a big one and a little one. Look at a vertical line. If the vertical line separation is within the "extrusion" it will be in focus at F5.6 if within the small extrusion or at F16 if within the big extrusion.

Did that make sense?
 
Brian, that made sense. I'll try it tomorrow when it's light again.

Denis, I'll get that manual anyway. Maybe I can learn a thing or two from it. :)
 
OK, I read it, and I think I got it: you focus normally on an object A, and then want to know whether an object B behind (or in front of) A will also be in focus - so, with the RF set for focus on A, you move the RF patch over B, and since this is not in focus, will see a double image of B; now you check whether two corresponding lines/points/details in the two images of B will fit inside the 'extrusions' (the large one for f/16, the small one for f/5.6) - if they do, B is still within DOF, if they don't (= you can't fit both lines/points of the two images of B inside the extrusion at the same time), B is outside the DOF.

Roman
 
There's also a collapsible 90mm lens? I didn't know that! :)

And what is the difference between the regular take-up spool and the quick-loading spool? The seller told me my M2 is equiped with a quick-loading spool but what is the difference? Changing film is still not a very smooth, quick exercise. :)
 
Hi Remy, glad to see you got the DoF info so quickly! It is an odd but potentially useful feature omitted from later M cameras.

My M2 has the quickload kit installed too. Part of it is the film guide on the inside of the removable bottom at the tripod socket end.

I had to dig out one of my spare 14022H stock M2/M3 takeup spools to remind me what the difference is... The original spool has a spring-loaded knurled knob to help you remove it from the camera for loading. And you MUST remove the spool to load. The film is pushed (end-first) under a springy bit of metal to retain it, and the spool has a small flat area to help you get the film started under the spring.

The quickload spool need not be removed from the camera for loading. It also has a small retracting handle to help you grasp it for removal, but it's not knurled or spring-loaded. And the rim of the spool at that end is sort of funnel shaped with a slot to allow pushing the upper edge of the film leader straight in. So the film leader ends up projecting into the core of the spool, and is further retained by a little spring.

So the film leader and film cartridge are pushed into the bottom of the camera together, with the leader entering the slot in the quickload spool as you do so... With the hinged back open you can ensure the sprocket teeth engage the film as you wind a stroke before closing up.

This is faster loading than original, though having your fresh film already attached to spare original spools, without the quick load installed, is probably even faster.
 
Thanks, Roman, for a better explanation. I think I get it now.... :)

BTW, reading Doug's comment on loading - anyone have a Leica M2/M3 spool to spare? I'd like to have at least another one, spooled and ready to drop in the camera, for situations when I need to do it quickly.
I don't have any problems reloading my M2/M3, it's just that it would be more practical and faster to have a spare spool (as Doug said) in situations when I need to be quick changing film... Which is, admitedly, not very often :)

So, any spools you're willing to part with?

TIA,

Denis
 
Denis, I think I'd better hang onto my spare spool, as it may be my only original spool! It's in a Leica box... I thought I had two of these, but I only found one when I went looking. As to the spool that was originally in my M2, I suspect the repair shop kept it when they installed the quickload kit (35 years ago), as I don't recall ever seeing a loose spool among my stuff.

Spare spools are a smart idea for roll-film camera users too! Just as much chance of losing one in the process of reloading, putting the camera out of action. So I'm making sure to have at least one 120/220 spool in each bag that I might carry a compatible camera in...
 
Doug, thanks for the explanation. Not that I could follow it one bit without the M2 around, but I'll get to that later when the roll is finished. :)

Now, how about that collapsible 90? I've never even come across it on eBay....
 
I have the Quick-Load in the M3 that I got here, and normal spools in the M3 DS. I find the two-spool method faster. I am getting the hang of the Quick-Spool method, but Leica could have saved everyone money and time by just telling them to use a second spool.
 
Brian Sweeney said:
I I find the two-spool method faster.
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You know, I'm probably strange, but I have to agree with Brian........ I find my IIIf with the two spool system (and the "trim the leader" game) easier to load than my M6 with the quickload spool and the "juggle the film with your thumb to align it with the sprockets" trick....

It just seems to me that once you cut the extended leader the "drop both spools in" method is foolproof - whereas I've a couple of times ballsed up the loading of the quickload spool.

Call me wierd....... :rolleyes:

tim
 
Maybe Leica should have licensed the Canon QL feature for the M cameras. :) I too have bollixed up the film loading on my M2...
 
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