M2 vs M4

[bwcolor]

I have an M4 and M3. I like the rewind better on the M3. The loading system is pretty easy in either camera. I'm thinking of another .72 camera and wondering what the M2 has going for itself that might make it attractive in contrast to the M4. I don't have and don't plan on buying a 135mm lens, so either viewfinder will do. Less cluttered the better.

 

[stupid leica]

well, the M2 has a wonderful 3 frame finder... i think the 50 lines in it are perfect, like the best ever lol.
Additionally, it is essentially the same layout as your M3, so they would go together very well. M2's are great, and can be had pretty cheap.

 

[coelacanth]

Ah! Looks like the path I went through. I had M4 and M3 (both were fantastic cameras). I put them both for sell to afford an MP. Loved it. Wanted to get another body as backup/different lens carrier. M2 was my choice and and M2 now gets even more use than MP.

I tell you, M2 really grows in you. I wasn't a big fan of that frame counter before I got it. Now I actually wish my MP could have the same dial style counter. 😀 And M2 has the cleanest, more accurate (for medium distance) framelines compared to modern Ms as well. I love that thick and clean framelines even more than the MP's (which is also modified to show simplified lines).

I'd say go for an M2. 😀

 

[amateriat]

I think it often comes down to whichever of the two winds up in your hands the soonest/easiest. In my case it was the M2 ('58, button rewind). I will say I like the individual framelines (as opposed to the doubled-up framelines in subsequent Ms, and, for that matter, both my Hexar RFs), and the 35mm framelines absent from the M3 (it helped that the camera came with a clean, 1st-gen 35 f/2 Summi). I used to think I wouldn't like the "outboard", manual-reset frame counter, but in fact it's a lot easier to deal with than believed.

So, there's one example.


- Barrett

 

[cidereye]

....... Less cluttered the better.

You've answered your own question really - M2. 😀

 

[Mister E]

M2!

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[Roger Hicks]

I think it often comes down to whichever of the two winds up in your hands the soonest/easiest. In my case it was the M2 ('58, button rewind). I will say I like the individual framelines (as opposed to the doubled-up framelines in subsequent Ms, and, for that matter, both my Hexar RFs), and the 35mm framelines absent from the M3 (it helped that the camera came with a clean, 1st-gen 35 f/2 Summi). I used to think I wouldn't like the "outboard", manual-reset frame counter, but in fact it's a lot easier to deal with than believed.

So, there's one example.

- Barrett

Dear Barrett,

Absolutely! But that removes the excuse for public agonizing, and for worrying about whether a 1961 camera is better or worse than a 1962 model. The answer, of course, is that after the best part of half a century, wear and tear matter more than what the camera was like to begin with.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Luna]

M2

ten characters

 

[shadowfox]

Just curious, to those who suggested M2, without the quick loading, what advantage does it have over M4?

 

[filmfan]

Many consider the M4 to be the best M. I however think the M2 is the best one (well, it's the only one I have owned personally).

 

[Mister E]

Many consider the M1 to be the best M.


As for Leica's quick loading system, it's a joke. A big fat joke. If I'm going to shoot such an archaic system I am going to take the time and pleasure to enjoy it. It is actually faster for me to load an M2 than anything with the quick loading system. It certainly feels better too.

 

[Nokton48]

M2 has more reliable loading, in my experience. Faster too, if you have an extra preloaded takeup spool/film cartidge. The M4 is cool, I've used it quite a bit, but I prefer the M2. Guess I'm Old School. 🙂

 

[coelacanth]

I don't mind M2's "slow" take-up spool. I know there is no mistakes. Love M2 framelines to death. I like M2/MP style rewinder because it won't get in the way when I pull the camera from bag/pocket (and probably less breakable). I am no photo journalist. I don't need that much of loading speed, and I can load quick enough.

 

[dacookieman]

Gotta say go with the M2, simple and clean frame lines, no frills, just you. I don't think loading is an issue, in fact I find the simple pleasure of slowly loading up my camera, tighten the bottom plate and heading out for a nice day of shooting.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

The M2 also has those oft' forgotten depth of field notches in the RF patch for a 50mm lens. The only camera to have such a focusing aid. I miss my M2, but I have my M4 so I'm content.

Phil Forrest

 

[Artorius]

The M2 also has those oft' forgotten depth of field notches in the RF patch for a 50mm lens. The only camera to have such a focusing aid. I miss my M2, but I have my M4 so I'm content.

Phil Forrest

Don't forget the M3 has these also. My M3 SS does, whose number is <1000000. Either the M2 or M3 is a great camera over the M4 InMyOpinion. Comes down to personal preference , especially if you have more than one M.

 

[thomasw_]

No question, the M2.....didn't you say something about uncluttered??? yYea, the M2 is that and more; more, because it has less, it is the most simple M. Nothing in the vf to distract, nothing in the functioning to confuse or disorient your shooting rhythm.

 

[Richard G]

Love my button rewind no self-timer M2. I soon wanted an M4 for the 135mm framelines, the quick load, the self-timer and the cranked rewind. That was stolen instead of the M2. Next I wanted the M6 for the meter. Now I have a 135 external finder, a great hand-held meter and I like holding the M2 in the hand more than the M6 where the battery compartment is a distraction, along with the LEDs and cluttered viewfinder, and favour the M2 rewind over the M6 now anyway. If I had an M2 with self timer I would be very happy too. Isn't it great that after 50 years the current top of the range Leica M mechanical 35mm camera is really just an M2 with an internal meter?

 

[raydm6]

The M2 also has those oft' forgotten depth of field notches in the RF patch for a 50mm lens. The only camera to have such a focusing aid. I miss my M2, but I have my M4 so I'm content.

Phil Forrest

Yes, I became aware of this this week while reading an M2 manual on-line. Strange feature. It took a bit of brain-cell wrestling to figure out how to apply this. Found a thread here where folks basically admitted they didn't use it all that much.

I have a M2 and a M4. Sadly, I'm going to be selling them because I don't shoot film any more.

I may be interested in the M2.

Thanks.

 

[kiemchacsu]

Well, again reviving an old thread,
Simply because I just added a M4 to my cabinet.
Still not sure if I prefer the M4 or current workhorse M2
If you were me, which one suits your taste? And why? Thanks.