hi all

I've used Leica M3, M2, M4P and M6 before. I'm very familar with all the differences of M2 and M3. I love both of them.

Due to some twists, I'm getting back to leica after working with Nikon F100 and FM3a.

I can only acquire one body, either a M2 or a M3.

M2 - this version is an early model with button rewind button. All works well, comes with modified flash PC-cord sync post.

M3 - this model is an early model with glass plate and triangular lugs. It is a double-stroke model and sports a very soft shutter feeling. It works well with a nice Viewfinder.

I shoot mostly with a 50. I intend to use it with a screwmount colliapsible 50/3.5 red dial. I also have a screwmount 90/4. When I saved enought money, I will get a 35/2 non-asph (for group and scenery) and 50/1.4 (current version) eventually.

This post may sound silly to u. Anyway... I'm posting here to see what kind of response I'll get. I'm at my wits end... I would love to own both of them but it's impossible.

Any opinions and insights?

Thanks in advance. :)

-- luxman (ericssan@yahoo.com), March 07, 2002

Answers

My advice: get the M2.

Send me the M3.

:)=

-- Rick Oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com), March 07, 2002.

I suspect you know the answer to your question! If both are working well ALL it really comes down to is the viiwfinder...IF you love the 50mm and 90mm there is no question - it must be the M3 (for those who have never looked through an M3 and own a modern M6...DON'T! You will be sick as a pig).

If however, you are likely to use a 35mm anything other than very infrequently I would get the M2.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 07, 2002.

Hello...I think you'd be best off with an M3 if you like the 50 and 90, but I'd recommend you search a little harder for a single stroke (or a DS converted to a SS). With any heavy use, the DS clutch will wear out and will need to be converted eventually. I know they're wonderful feeling, but get a good deal or you'll be paying for it later.

On the other hand, the M2 has the button rewind that's also not the easiest to live with, but has the single advance already. I think the M2 might be the better user (and you can convert the button rewind for less than the M3 SS conversion) but let us know what you end up with...

-- Carlin (carlinm@abac.com), March 07, 2002.

I went through the same thing - bought the M2 for the 35mm framing.

Ref the comment on button rewind...Button rewind not easy to live with? How so? I have an M2 and the button rewind is easier to use the the subsequently added lever. Push the button, it locks down; that's it. What could be easier? My M6's lever release is much more difficult to use than the M2's button.

-- MikeP (mike996@optonline.net), March 07, 2002.

Lux, get the M2 if you intend 35 mm lens use.

Mike, some very early M2 button rewinds did not have the lock down feature you have on yours (obviously yours is the later version with that feature). So earlier ones req'd one to hold down continously until rewind was complete.

-- sparkie (sparkie@mailcity.com), March 07, 2002.

Price seems to an issue and the current LHSA (Leica Historical Society) equipment catalog has several reasonably priced M2/M3s.If you are a member then you already know if not you can probably buy a catalog or PDF file at www.lhsa.org.

-- Steve LeHuray (steve@icommag.com), March 07, 2002.

luxman:

I second Giles' reply! I currently have a M2 and an M3 Double stroke. I use 35 and 50 "Crons with the 35 on the M2 and the 50 NF on the M3 for obvious reasons. I love 'em both and wouldn't want to choose between them. I know this is a tough decision, but it's also a big part of the fun. I'm a self-confessed equipment junkie and need a 12-step program. Any good self-help web sites out there?

Ben

-- Ben Hughes (ben@hughesbros.com), March 07, 2002.

Since you state that your prime usage is 50mm, I would go with the M3.

Should you wish to add a 35mm lenses you will have two routes. To purchase a 35mm with the RF attachment, or a 35mm w/o the attachment but add a external 35mm VF.

It will be much cheaper to go the first path. Lens for lens, those with the RF attachment are 10-20% cheaper, not counting the external finder. While the lens with the RF attached is a little more hassle, and dims the VF somewhat, you'll be money ahead.

As to the clutch breakdown with a DS, chances are on that old a camera, you'll want a CLA fairly soon. When they have the top cover off, have them make the SS conversion. Should be cheaper than CLA now, and SS conversion later.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), March 07, 2002.

One issue not previously mentioned is eye relief. I started out with a DS glass plate M3 and now use an SS M3. There is a marked improvement in eye relief in the later camera. As a glasses wearer, this is important to me, might not be to you. Another thing to consider is the availability of the 1.25x eyepiece, which would lead me towards the M2 if I were choosing today: You could turn it into an M3 as needed........

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), March 07, 2002.

hi David

u mentioned about the 1.25x mag, I wonder how convenient it is to use on the field. Can u elaborate? M2 sounds like a gd choice now... *wink*

-- luxman (ericssan@yahoo.com), March 07, 2002.

Nope, I've no experience with the eyepiece, and don't even know for sure that it can be installed in the M2 body as easily as in the M6 Help, somebody?........................

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), March 08, 2002.

The answer to the last question is that Leica says the magnifier is "useable with all M camera." David's suggestion is a brilliant one, if you like the idea of using the magnifier. Here's a link for more info:

a href="http://www.leica- camera.com/produkte/msystem/m6ttl/zubehoer/lupe/index_e.html">LINK

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 09, 2002.

OOPS. Hope this works better:

CLICK HERE

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 09, 2002.

hi all

thanks for all your valuable replies. After fondling the two cameras for a final time and most importantly.. after looking thro' their VFs, I opted for M2.

I have to blame my friend who lend me his 1.25x mag eyepiece... I've to agree that a M2 VF with this extra makes M3 less attractive. A M2 can be a M3 too. :P

thanks again, folks!

-- luxman (ericssan@yahoo.com), March 10, 2002.