Thank You for sharing your M2 experience. Strange enough you and I seem to share the same idea of what cameras to own; I got both M2 and Olympus Pen as well. Enjoy shooting both.
I've been debating for quite awhile now between the M2 or M4. The M4 has the improved film loading system but I can't get my head around the stupid plastic piece on the film advance lever. The M2 is all metal, I think you've convinced me to accept the M2 slightly slower film loading system. I also know what you mean about a serviced (CLA'd) vs non CLA'd M2. I've tested both in the shop and there is nothing like the buttery smooth film advance and the shutter feel from a freshly CLA'd M2. Pure bliss!
@@BillyHopscotch I've heard that some people get the plastic lever exchanged for a proper metal one. Some day if I ever get an M4, when I send it in for a CLA, I will look into getting the plasticky lever exchanged at the same time. It may cost a bit, but solves the problem moving forward...
A while back I Googled it... And switching over the leaver on an M4 is really easy. You need a specific Leica style spanner to do it. Which I got myself off eBay for about £10. So should I ever own an M4 I have the tool to do it. Just search for Leica spanners. Anyway the main thing is to actually find the spare part from an M2 or M3 .... They are harder to find and expensive. One I found here is almost $50 rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F173866617611 So I'd get an M2. The film loading is fine. You get used to it.
@@BillyHopscotch this seller has one for sale in metal. The spanners to switch it over are about 10 quid and it's fairly easy to do. Maybe worth doing ..... rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F173866617611
I've been using a Canon P for about 18 months, it's a great budget alternative to an M2. Excellent camera. My advice is to just make sure the titanium shutter curtain is not too wrinkled, check this before you buy. If it's badly wrinkled, look for another one, they're easy to find.
I've been seriously considering a Canon P or a Canon VT as well. Partly because they are great cameras in there own right. And also because if you buy one with a lens then... Your getting in most cases a really stellar bit of glass. The canon LTM lenses are fantastic and then one day if you get a Leica you keep the canon the glass for it.
@@john_murch have you tried any russian lens on the canon p?i have read on forums that the camera needs to be calibrated and some claim they dont need to be. i am going to buy a canon P next month that is fully CLA!
@@xxGravyBabyxx I haven't tried any Soviet lenses, I've only used Canon LTM. Canon 35 F2 LTM, 50 F1.4 LTM and 50 F1.8 LTM. These are really excellent lenses by the way...
👍👍👍 Great video I love my M3 Early in 2020 I sent my 2nd hand apo summicron asph 90mm to Camera works and they did an amazing job really quickly and the price was such good value.
Fomapan did not want to load well into my M4 or M4-P as well as an M4-2 I tried and they have a quick load system. Would not stay on the spool and advance without much difficulty starting it.
I have an M2 , now I have a Zeiss biogon and a summicron , have you looked at old canon LTM lenses they are really nice and relatively cheap . The cannon 50 1.4 is very nice.
Expensive rabbit holes, Leica and Contax. I have a Zorki 4K with the awesome Jupiter 8 50mm f2 lens. £50 well spent. Excellent with any film. Easy to load. Eyepiece correction lever.
With the Meter MR, in the bright daylight, are you using it on the red mark, or do you turn the knob top left to the black? That is the selector between High and Low modes for reading the light, and if you are not moving it when you are in the brighter lighting situation, may cause that inaccuracy you mentioned.
Thank you, the red discs on the lugs are peak design camera strap attachments. You can click on the strap when needed . It's a great system...check it out 👍🏻
A good consideration for people that want a Leica but don’t want to pay $1,000 is the Leica MD. Based off the M2 but doesn’t have a viewfinder so you have to zone focus. About to get mine soon, less than $300.
The OM1 and OM2 are fantastic and as you say smaller. It boils down to if you prefer an SLR or rangefinder.... The beauty of the OM1 is it's fully mechanical just like the Leica M2. But the OM1 has a meter. Where as the M2 doesn't. Otherwise it depends on if you prefer rangefinder focusing and framing VS through the lens SLR focusing and framing
@@moonsvc it was a bit cheaper... They often sell for around £750 ...but I did then spend a fair amount getting it serviced .. I used eBay ... eBay is fine but factor in around £200 for a service
eBay, setup a saved followed search for "Leica M2". ... Any time one is listed you will be notified on your phone usually ...but the cheaper ones will always need a service usually. I spent over £300 on the service . So...then it's not actually that cheap. Factor in around £150 to £200 for a normal service
I prefer the Olympus OM above a Leica M camera. Leuca is overrated by the starters in film photography. Any SLR is a no problem camera at all focus lengths. It is BS to say the Leica lenses are small or big. What to say when mountibg a 600 mm on the Leica M/ A grip for a Olympus Pen F ............? You must be joking ! A grip for a Minox? A grip for a Linhof Technika. A Russian lens on a Leica is like mounting a LADA engine in a Rolls Royce. Why putting a 100 ASA film in a Leica? Leicas are made for Tri-X, HP3, HP4, HP% and 1600 and 3200 ISO films Forget Sunny Sixteen ! It is nonsense. The sun at what time, in which month, where on earth? The lens thread is making a sound; it needs a drip of oil. Leica 5 CM ? Leica lens 5 centimeter. 50 mm. Hasselblad 500 C/M.
When you first buy a Leica ...unless your wealthy, it takes time to buy the Leica glass. I now own two Leica lenses and many others by topcor, Nikon and canon... In ltm / M mount. Part of the joy of owning an old M body is all the different lenses you can use with it.
M2 is one of the best cameras out there, nothing to add in 2020.
Too right
Great stuff again. Im waiting for an M2 to come my way in the near future. Excellent insight into this camera. Thanks
Cheers John 👍🏻😀
Thank You for sharing your M2 experience. Strange enough you and I seem to share the same idea of what cameras to own; I got both M2 and Olympus Pen as well. Enjoy shooting both.
I've been debating for quite awhile now between the M2 or M4. The M4 has the improved film loading system but I can't get my head around the stupid plastic piece on the film advance lever. The M2 is all metal, I think you've convinced me to accept the M2 slightly slower film loading system. I also know what you mean about a serviced (CLA'd) vs non CLA'd M2. I've tested both in the shop and there is nothing like the buttery smooth film advance and the shutter feel from a freshly CLA'd M2. Pure bliss!
I just got an M4 and the plastic bit on the film advance has boggled me since day one. I love the camera, but that bit is awful.
@@BillyHopscotch I've heard that some people get the plastic lever exchanged for a proper metal one. Some day if I ever get an M4, when I send it in for a CLA, I will look into getting the plasticky lever exchanged at the same time. It may cost a bit, but solves the problem moving forward...
A while back I Googled it... And switching over the leaver on an M4 is really easy. You need a specific Leica style spanner to do it. Which I got myself off eBay for about £10. So should I ever own an M4 I have the tool to do it. Just search for Leica spanners. Anyway the main thing is to actually find the spare part from an M2 or M3 .... They are harder to find and expensive. One I found here is almost $50
rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F173866617611
So I'd get an M2. The film loading is fine. You get used to it.
@@BillyHopscotch this seller has one for sale in metal. The spanners to switch it over are about 10 quid and it's fairly easy to do. Maybe worth doing .....
rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F173866617611
William Hopkins - Quite often Don at DAG Camera has a used M2/M3 wind on lever for sale. Worth checking his site out if you do want to change.
I just got my M3 back from Camarworks. It took more than half a year but they did a great job on my M3 + DR Summicron.
Alan and James are great. Super busy because they are in high demand at camera works...but worth the wait.
I am thinking about getting a canon p since a leica is out of my price range for now. Amazing video and I am really excited in getting a rangefinder!
I've been using a Canon P for about 18 months, it's a great budget alternative to an M2. Excellent camera. My advice is to just make sure the titanium shutter curtain is not too wrinkled, check this before you buy. If it's badly wrinkled, look for another one, they're easy to find.
I've been seriously considering a Canon P or a Canon VT as well. Partly because they are great cameras in there own right. And also because if you buy one with a lens then... Your getting in most cases a really stellar bit of glass. The canon LTM lenses are fantastic and then one day if you get a Leica you keep the canon the glass for it.
@@dangerpowers123 Absolutely!
@@john_murch have you tried any russian lens on the canon p?i have read on forums that the camera needs to be calibrated and some claim they dont need to be. i am going to buy a canon P next month that is fully CLA!
@@xxGravyBabyxx I haven't tried any Soviet lenses, I've only used Canon LTM. Canon 35 F2 LTM, 50 F1.4 LTM and 50 F1.8 LTM. These are really excellent lenses by the way...
My M2 is with Cameraworks at the moment. How long did you have to wait?
Greetings, does your R Button protection rotates ? I just notice that mine spins around the axel.
I've used the black Jupiter 8 loads and it's very good. I've heard not so good things about the older silver ones though.
I've got one of the black versions. I need to test it really
👍👍👍
Great video I love my M3
Early in 2020 I sent my 2nd hand apo summicron asph 90mm to Camera works and they did an amazing job really quickly and the price was such good value.
Fomapan did not want to load well into my M4 or M4-P as well as an M4-2 I tried and they have a quick load system. Would not stay on the spool and advance without much difficulty starting it.
I have the same style M2 and my first lens I used with it was a Jupiter 12 as well I upgraded to a Canon 35 1.8 which is a fantastic lens!
If you adept the screwmount lenses, can you still calibrate them to the rangefinder or will they work no matter what?
I have an M2 , now I have a Zeiss biogon and a summicron , have you looked at old canon LTM lenses they are really nice and relatively cheap . The cannon 50 1.4 is very nice.
Yes... Absolutely. The old canon 50mm f1.4 ltm is supposed to be excellent. On my wish list ..along with some of the old Nikon ltm glass.
Expensive rabbit holes, Leica and Contax.
I have a Zorki 4K with the awesome Jupiter 8 50mm f2 lens. £50 well spent. Excellent with any film. Easy to load. Eyepiece correction lever.
REALLY LOL !!!
Hi, just wondering where you ordered the sync caps from... I'm looking for a set for my M3. Thanks
eBay 👍🏻
With the Meter MR, in the bright daylight, are you using it on the red mark, or do you turn the knob top left to the black? That is the selector between High and Low modes for reading the light, and if you are not moving it when you are in the brighter lighting situation, may cause that inaccuracy you mentioned.
Yep I'm using black dot In normal light and red dot in low light 👍🏻. It's just I think a voltage thing ... I probably need it to be calibrated.
I have the MR9 voltage battery adapter, works great
@@highlander200107 oh great, I'll look into getting one
great review, thanks for sharing. What are the red disks you have on the lugs?
Thank you, the red discs on the lugs are peak design camera strap attachments. You can click on the strap when needed . It's a great system...check it out 👍🏻
A good consideration for people that want a Leica but don’t want to pay $1,000 is the Leica MD. Based off the M2 but doesn’t have a viewfinder so you have to zone focus. About to get mine soon, less than $300.
Good suggestion. I think also the Leica CL , a mint one with case etc.. is on eBay buy it now for £345 at the moment
How would you say that this compares to the smaller OM1/2?
The OM1 and OM2 are fantastic and as you say smaller. It boils down to if you prefer an SLR or rangefinder.... The beauty of the OM1 is it's fully mechanical just like the Leica M2. But the OM1 has a meter. Where as the M2 doesn't. Otherwise it depends on if you prefer rangefinder focusing and framing VS through the lens SLR focusing and framing
🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈what are you doing? I own a M2, M6 and a IIIf.... how are you loading film?
how much did you got it?
Under £600
@@dangerpowers123 was it a great bargain? or it's standard price?, Plus can you give tips on how to buy one
@@moonsvc it was a bit cheaper... They often sell for around £750 ...but I did then spend a fair amount getting it serviced .. I used eBay ... eBay is fine but factor in around £200 for a service
How do you find a M2 so cheap?
eBay, setup a saved followed search for "Leica M2". ... Any time one is listed you will be notified on your phone usually ...but the cheaper ones will always need a service usually.
I spent over £300 on the service . So...then it's not actually that cheap.
Factor in around £150 to £200 for a normal service
Film Camera Reviews thanks you！
Can’t see why people don’t like the m2 spol. I prefer it over the m6 loading.
if you have an extra spool already preloaded there is not a faster way to load an M
Very very true
Where's my Zorki ?
Ok I'm confused .. elaborate?
Too bad they dont have central shutter.
I prefer the Olympus OM above a Leica M camera.
Leuca is overrated by the starters in film photography.
Any SLR is a no problem camera at all focus lengths.
It is BS to say the Leica lenses are small or big.
What to say when mountibg a 600 mm on the Leica M/
A grip for a Olympus Pen F ............? You must be joking !
A grip for a Minox?
A grip for a Linhof Technika.
A Russian lens on a Leica is like mounting a LADA engine in a Rolls Royce.
Why putting a 100 ASA film in a Leica?
Leicas are made for Tri-X, HP3, HP4, HP% and 1600 and 3200 ISO films
Forget Sunny Sixteen ! It is nonsense.
The sun at what time, in which month, where on earth?
The lens thread is making a sound; it needs a drip of oil.
Leica 5 CM ? Leica lens 5 centimeter. 50 mm. Hasselblad 500 C/M.
Buys Leica to shoot cheap lenses and cheap film
When you first buy a Leica ...unless your wealthy, it takes time to buy the Leica glass.
I now own two Leica lenses and many others by topcor, Nikon and canon... In ltm / M mount.
Part of the joy of owning an old M body is all the different lenses you can use with it.
There is NO 'Y' in Nikon, I know americans mispronounce the name Nikon so what's your excuse ? If you don't believe me ask NIKON its their company !
“Nike,” “Nikon”
Englishmen say i not I regarding Nikon, The I is for yanks, typically they do not know any better !!!.
I say both.... Can't manage to keep to one way of saying it... Depends which way the weather is blowing 😜