So I bought an M2....

[Bosk]

And I love it.

I felt like my R2A had something missing and the noisy shutter was annoying me whenever I tried grabbing candid shots of strangers. So I traded up to 'the real thing'.😎

What I like best about the Leica vs the Bessa is there's no 'junk' in the viewfinder. No multiple frames either, just the 35mm frameline, rangefinder patch and NOTHING ELSE. The rangefinder patch is also quite a bit more contrasty than the Bessa's which makes focusing that much easier.

So all in all I'm happy, at least for now. (which is a good thing since my budget is blown)


Now I just need to invest in a good scanner, inkjet printer and I'll be set. 🙂

 

[hth]

Congratulations!

I bought my M2 some years ago and it is still my most used camera and I doubt that I will ever sell it. I rather sell my much better looking M4 in that case.. 😉

Inkjet... 😱 Be prepared to use it a lot, otherwise do not bother.

For color, scan and take/send the files to the local lab. For B&W, consider inkjet, but be prepared to have some significant volume, otherwise skip it.

The cartridges are expensive and the printers clog. I have switched to CFS, seems to work a lot better and it is much cheaper, but you need to really use it..

/Håkan

 

[Bosk]

Thanks for the congrats. 🙂


Good point you make about taking files to a lab and getting them printed digitally, I hadn't thought of that. It certainly would be a cheap option given the constant price wars between labs for digital prints.

Thanks again.


Oh, and yep you're right about the M2 being a great camera.
There's an old-world durability, style and charm about it which is simply a world away from the current Nikon & Canon offerings. Even the humble Bessa struggles in comparison, and I personally think the Bessas are quite underrated in terms of durability and aesthetics.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[lubitel]

I am an M2 newbie as well. Love using this camera. Just too bad my FSU gear is not getting that much use 🙁 What kind of lens do you have with it?

 

[like2fiddle]

Congratulations on your M2. I, too, recently acquired an M2. It's a long story, but I moved to exchangeable lens rangefinders from SLR's and fixed lens rangefinders this past August. Because of my budget, I opted for the new R3M over a used Leica M. I had problems with the R3M from the beginning and ended up sending it back. In its defense, it looks and handles pretty nice, but.... I have not for one second regretted replacing it with a very well used M2.

 

[Bosk]

I am an M2 newbie as well. Love using this camera. Just too bad my FSU gear is not getting that much use 🙁 What kind of lens do you have with it?

I'm mainly using my 35 Summicron with it, they're a brilliant match actually. 🙂

 

[richard_l]

I have an M3, M2, and M6, and I love the M2 the most. It just feels exactly right in my hands; the viewfinder is uncluttered; the controls are deliciously smooth; and it is beautiful. It is the perfect picture-taking machine, IMO.

Richard

 

[payasam]

I bought an M3 in 1985 because I got it (and a Canon VT Deluxe and five lenses, enough M adaptors, accessory finders) dirt cheap. Had it 17 years. The close to life size finder image was a delight, and the 35mm SBLOO with the Summaron became second nature. However, I much prefer the "purity" of the M2. Two friends who lent me theirs found it difficult to get them back.

 

[richard_l]

I bought an M3 in 1985 because I got it (and a Canon VT Deluxe and five lenses, enough M adaptors, accessory finders) dirt cheap. Had it 17 years. The close to life size finder image was a delight, and the 35mm SBLOO with the Summaron became second nature. However, I much prefer the "purity" of the M2. Two friends who lent me theirs found it difficult to get them back.

If the M3 serves one's needs, it may be impossible to find a better camera, IMO, but, as you imply, there is a purity about the M2 which is very seductive. Of all the cameras I own, if poverty ever forces me to sell them, the M2 definitely will be the last to go, and that will be a sad day indeed.

Richard

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[jim0266]

Now I just need to invest in a good scanner, inkjet printer and I'll be set. 🙂

Look into black only printing. perfect look for B&W images out of a Leica. See http://www.jimarnold.org/black_only_printing/ for more info.

Enjoy the M2.