Which M ???

Depends on your needs.
Both are very capable camera's.
The M4-2 has the extra benefit of 135 framelines.
The M2 seems to have the best "feel". I do agree that the M2 is vey nice build but I never handled a M4-2.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
 
Both Good

Both Good

The M2 is a classic Leica built during the time many consider to be the high point of craftsmanship. It has a simple and elegant viewfinder, slower loading and rewinding. It was actually considered as a cheaper version of the M3 but became more popular due to the 35mm frameline in the viewfinder.

M4-2 was Leica's attempt to starve off bankruptcy after the disaster of the M5. Some will say it was more cheaply made in Canada and lacks the craftsmanship of earlier cameras. It looses the self timer from the original M4 but gains a motor winder option. As with the M4 over the M2, the viewfinder has a 135 frameline, faster loading and the tilted rewind knob.

Personally, it comes down to feel. Both cameras would serve equally well and if the price is the same, get the one which you like the best. I use an M4 and would add either as a second body (would lean toward the M2 because I love its viewfinder).
 
ktmrider said it all well. I’ll just add that I’ve got both and am very happy with each of them. The M4-2 is underrated in my opinion, but if I were to go with just one, it’d be the M2. That’s how I started with Leica, but I like having both in order to have different films on the go at the same time, and I have a 135 Nikkor I use occasionally.
 
If you can do without the 135 frame, the rewind crank and the marginally faster loading, the M2 is for you. Any defects in this particular M4-2 should long ago have been ironed out.
 
M3 for 50, 90
M2 for 35, 50
M6 for 28, 35
MD for 21 and beyond (actually wider)
IIIf for Sadomasochism and Finder Obssesions (no cure found yet)
 
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