Tuesday 24 April 2018

Leica M2 consideration


Leica M2 consideration.

I have been contemplating on a Leica M2 black paint for a while.  The M2 was considered to be a more affordable, simplified version of the 1954 Leica M3. Notably, the frame counter of the M2 was composed of a disk plate beneath the film advance lever that had to be manually reset to zero after reloading. This system was close to that of the Leica III series, and unlike that of the M3, which is an independent frame counter, visible through a window in the top plate, that automatically resets to zero when the film take-up spool is removed.

The rangefinder system was also simplified from that of the M3 and this made it potentially more prone to rangefinder flare. 

The M2 has a rangefinder with a 0.72 magnification and framelines for 35, 50 and 90mm The M3 has a rangefinder with a 0.91 magnification and framlines for 50, 90 and 135mm 
The M4 has a rangefinder with a 0.72 magnification and framlines for 35, 50, 90 and 135mm

Current set up:
1. Leica M3 Olive Body with chrome Leica 50mm  Collapsible radioactive
2. Leica M3 Black paint Body with Black paint Leica 50mm Summiron rigid
3. Leica M4 Black paint Body with Black chrome Elmar - M
4. Leica III Black paint body with chrome Elmar len

As such, the M4 has the best of both M2 and M3. with the M4 being able to accommodate the 35mm lens, what is the reason for getting the M2? perhaps the only reason is for collection? Given the above, perhaps it makes more sense to get the Leica 35mm lens instead??

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