Would you buy a M2 with M6 framelines?

[richard_l]

Its well known that the M2 was issued as an economy model of the m3. Then having it changed over is really pushing it. Kind of buying an old Pinto auto, then upgrading w/ BMW stuff. Doesn't add up.

Methinks you've never used a good M2. "Economy model" M3 conveys the wrong impression. Dollars were shaved off the M3 price by stripping a few minor features, such as the auto-reset frame counter and (on some M2 models) the self-timer. It has the same quality construction and "feel" as the M3. If the M3 is like a BMW, the M2 is like the BMW without a radio and CD player.

 

[Doug]

"Economy model" M3 conveys the wrong impression. Dollars were shaved off the M3 price by stripping a few minor features, such as the auto-reset frame counter and (on some M2 models) the self-timer. It has the same quality construction and "feel" as the M3. If the M3 is like a BMW, the M2 is like the BMW without a radio and CD player.

Richard, I agree, good analogy. Coincidentally my BMW M3 has no sunroof and the admittedly-present CD player has never been used. 😀 My M2 is a Leica, and has no auto-reset frame counter or self-timer. But it was more popular in the market than the Leica M3 and its viewfinder is the basis for subsequent models. Too, Leica M6 and later have no self-timer either...

(I have to be clear in referencing these models, as while BMW never offered an M2 or M4, there are BMW M3, M5, and M6. Edit: Oops how could I forget the M1? 🙂 )

 

[richard_l]

Richard, I agree, good analogy.

Thanks, Doug.

To elaborate further.....

Nowadays economy models are usually produced by reducing quality (structural integrity, etc.) as well as quantity (features). In the M3-M2 era, Leica still adhered to the Barnack philosophy of reducing cost/price by restricting only quantity, not quality. For example, the IIc was a cheaper version of the IIIc. However, the two cameras were basically identical except that the IIc lacked the slowest (< 1/30) and highest (1/1000) shutter speeds of the IIIc.

For better or worse, it is a design philosophy with which we are not very familiar these days.