Bingley
Veteran
I'll chime in. I have an M2 and an M3, and had an M4-2 which I sold to another member here. I've never felt the need to have a Leica M with a meter. The M2 had a CLA a few years ago; the M3 (a more recent purchase) hasn't had a CLA but then it doesn't need one -- it works just fine. I got the M3 b/c it was an itch that needed to be scratched, and one came along for a good price. I like the larger RF patch. I wear glasses and the 50 framelines are a little hard to see.
About 90% of my photography is done with either a 50 or a 35 lens. So, for me, the M2 is a perfect camera, and if I could only have one M that would be the one. I took the M2 with me on a two week trip to France this past summer, along with two Canon lenses, a 50/1.5 and a 35/2.0. Shot only black and white with that camera and left the color photos to a digital camera I also brought along. I would not underestimate the beauty of the M2 and a 50mm lens: you can clearly see around the framelines, even if you wear glasses, which can be helpful in composing. The M2 and the two Canon lenses turned out to be a perfect kit for me.
Frankly, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these older M cameras, but if you shoot a lot with a 35mm lens the M2 is a logical choice.
About 90% of my photography is done with either a 50 or a 35 lens. So, for me, the M2 is a perfect camera, and if I could only have one M that would be the one. I took the M2 with me on a two week trip to France this past summer, along with two Canon lenses, a 50/1.5 and a 35/2.0. Shot only black and white with that camera and left the color photos to a digital camera I also brought along. I would not underestimate the beauty of the M2 and a 50mm lens: you can clearly see around the framelines, even if you wear glasses, which can be helpful in composing. The M2 and the two Canon lenses turned out to be a perfect kit for me.
Frankly, I don't think you can go wrong with either of these older M cameras, but if you shoot a lot with a 35mm lens the M2 is a logical choice.
