Limited lens-range.
(In der Begrenzung zeigt sich der Meister) Limitations shows whether you are a real master or just fake)

Silent (but not as silent as my Lubitel II ;-)

Focusing spot on (compared to digital camera's, except an Leica M8 or M9)

Not intrusive. (Using an 90mm Elmarit for portraits is not taken as serious as an reflex-camera or an Zenza Bronica ETRS with an 150mm)

Full view of the place of action all the time. You will not miss if the action happens outside the view of your lens.

Reliable most of the time. No batteries needed.

Film loading with an quickload spool is slower than the standard 'N' spool.
No TTL (on the M2) Awkward use for macro (using an Visoflex 1 or Visoflex 2)
(Step down metering)
Expensive accessories, although the question arises how much do you need. Henri Cartier-Bresson used hardly ever an light meter and the most used lens was an Summitar lens. (He didn't crop much either)

This is about the M2. I brought this M2 a few months ago as I could afford to buy one again. My first and previous M2 I had to sell after 23 years of use. I like the M2 more than any other M model, since it does fulfill my needs. I used it with an 35mm Jupiter and Summilux (1st gen). I had an NC Summicron and 50mm Elmar. And an Summicron 90mm (1st gen) which was to heavy to use, although the pictures at 2.0 and 2.8 were great. I replaced it with an Elmarit 90mm which was also used with an Visoflex 2. A fine combination for almost everything. Metering was done with an Gossen Lunasix 3 and later the Leicameter MR and MC.
I took the camera everywhere and it was my biggest companion for all those 23 years. Quality of the Leitz lenses might be disputable, but it is the combination with the camera that does the magic. Simple, reliable and small. What else do you want?

I missed this camera so much, that I decided to buy one again, even against all digital developments.

And yes, I paid 500 guilders (around 220 euros) in 1978 and now I had to pay 400 euro's and oh man, how I felt lucky! My Summicron 50mm was in 1978 also 500 guilders and now I was lucky to get an collapsible Summicron for 225 euros.
I still do not own a decent 35mm and it might become an VC, since the Summilux is far to expense for my use.

Using a Leica M means that you have to look different at picture opportunities than with an reflex. You might tend to think, that you need a motor drive, but that is not true. At the supreme moment you know you can rely on your camera and that what you see is what you get on your negative! No delays, no time lag.

It is a pity that I cannot afford an Leica M9 (No interest for an M8)
But the M2 shows the strength of an Leica M and why it still does exist.
If you make a successful picture with an digital camera, you know it is about 80% electronics and perhaps 20% you. With an Leica M you know it is 80% you and 20% magic.

Customer Service

Used once in 1980 for complete overhaul. (They changed the flash-connections at the same time) Slow, expensive but perfect.
(I used it as an excuse to pick up the camera in Wetzlar myself.)

Similar Products Used:

Leica IIIc/f. Zorki 4K. No others that are comparable.

A rangefinder is a somewhat specialized tool. I am a street photographer. As such, the quietness of the M4 is not of tremendous importance to me because the streets themselves are quite noisy. The shutter is nearly silent though, but the film advance is not significantly quieter than any other manually advanced film camera that I've used. In my opinion the quietness thing is much ado about relatively little. The viewing system with regard to being able to see what will be recorded on the film inside the framelines and what won't be outside the framelines is nearly unique to the Leica M system. This viewing system makes it easier for me to edit my compositions. I get more information from which to make a decision than I would by using an SLR. The camera is relatively compact.

somewhat limited application framing not as accurate as with an SLR limited range of useful focal lengths

This review is for the Leica M4. This is an excellent basic camera. The quality is immediately noticable upon taking hold of the camera. The solid feel inspires confidnece that this will be a tool for life. Functionality is amazing. If properly aligned and calibrated this camera will rival any modern professional level camera. The viewing system is vastly different from that of an SLR. You will like it either much better or much less than the SLR viewing system. Leica lenses and accessories retain the superlative quality of the camera.

Customer Service

not yet needed

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Hi-Matic 7s

solid feel and useability From 1966, but still works great High class optics to match

flash only at 1/50 and down. Very slow

This is for the Leica M4. Bought it used from a photo.net forum member. Product is great. Fine finish and great useability. All the controls are exactly where they should be. I'm having a lot of fun taking pictures with this solid piece of equipment. Rangefinder patch is contrasty and framelines are very bright.

Customer Service

never used it.

Solid build quality Excellent viewfinder & rangefinder Universal benefits of Leica M cameras - quiet, compact & high quality

Getting old & thus may require servicing Fiddly film loading No built-in light metering

This is a review of the Leica M2. This camera gives up little to a modern Leica M - in fact, it is almost the same as a new MP, minus the light meter & power drive options. Compact, quiet, and solidly built. The viewfinder is practical & the focusing patch is flare resistant, with depth-of-field markers. For some reason they are priced much less than M3s, M4s and M4-Ps and thus make excellent vintage user Leicas. Thoroughly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Leica M6 Leica M4-2

Build quality Feel Ease of focusing Quality of viewfinder

Lack of meter. Viewfinder can scratch glasses - I bought an eyeglass protector for $10 - search for them on the web.

I finally bought an M7 about a year ago, loved it, and decided to buy a second body, for black and white. Went for the M2 from Ffordes. (I recommend them - the camera is almost as new.) I'm glad I didn't get another M7 - the M2 is the nicest-feeling camera I own. Winding on is like silk, and when I put the M7 lenses on the quality is as good. If the M2 had a built-in meter (the add-on apparently isn't very good) I'd sell the M7 and buy another M2, although the M7 is also a great camera. As it is, I bought a Gossen Digisix for less than a Leica add-on, and it weighs almost nothing, and does the job.

Customer Service

None needed yet!

Similar Products Used:

Leica M7

Excellent build-quality, great viewfinder, accurate rangefinder.

Film loading. But it's not a big deal to get used to.

I guess I've been lucky. 550 Euro for an M2 in excellent working condition, including a 2,8/50 Elmar lens. I knew old Leicas are quite as useful and well-working than actual M7s or MPs, but I was not prepared to fall in love. What a great camera! The thing I like best about it is the viewfinder. Now I know what people mean when they talk about unrivalled brightness. It's so crisp an clear, and it helps me to develop a new kind of composition. The M2 is so smooth to handle. It's not the quietest shutter I have ever heard (as I have a Rolleiflex TLR and a digital camera), but it is quiet. The best thing is, that people don't take you serious when they see you handling such an old tool. I used to have Canon EOS cameras, and people immediately take notice, when you lift the camera with a huge lens. I have always wondered how Cartier-Bresson obviously managed to be invisible. It's easy: he used Leicas.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Leidolf Lordomat, Canon EOS 30, 50, 300

Totally reliable Excellent choice of lenses all world class for their era. Small light and unobtrusive.

Not a universal camera Close up and long telephoto's are difficult although the system will provide all the equipment if you are a masochist.

M2/M3/M4 Superbly reliable quiet and dependable cameras with full system backup. Ideal for wide angle unobtrusive photography in the Urban envirionment.

Customer Service

Not needed as they dont go wrong very often. Can still get a 40 year old M2 updated with 28 mm and 75 mm frame lines !!! Thats old fashioned service.

Similar Products Used:

M2/M3/M4-p/M6/Hexar RF, Retina, Contax,Prominent etc

Focus, quality of workmanship, dependability, "feel"

PRICE (unless you luck out like me) Vulcanite chip-prone. Metal viewfinder ring can scratch glasses.

Back in the 1960s I owned two M3s and have never been able to figure out why I sold them. Recently, I picked up a 1955 model in trade for a 2 1/4 outfit. There is no camera any smoother to operate that the M3. The DS advance makes me wonder why it didn't become standard on all cameras. The viewfinder is usable by people who wear glasses but you have to be careful not to scratch them on the metal collar. The split-image focus on my camera SNAPS in and out making it easy to focus even in low light. Loading an M3 has never been a prolem for me and is a heck of a lot easier than loading a true "bottom loader". And when I have nothing better to do I can entertain myself listening to the shutter and 1/25 sec. and slower -- it's like listening to classical music. Even the M4, which I used extensively in the military, doesn't have the same quality feel of the M3. It's a shame the M3 prices have been driven up by collectors who keep them in glass cases. The M3 is a camera that should be used.

Similar Products Used:

Canon rangefinders, Leica M4, Soviet rangefinders, Olympus rangefinders.

Build quality is justifiably legendary Quiet , unobtrusive , quality lens , minimum kit needed.

Not too good if you want to do close ups or telephoto over 135 mm. Best for Wide angle to 90 mm

A classic rangefinder camera and a design icon Reliable quality product perfect for travel and reportage style of Photography

Customer Service

Never goes wrong so no need. Still silky smooth 40 years on

Similar Products Used:

M3 , M2 M6 Hexar RF ,plus other older RF classic RF models

You cannot appreciate the robustness until you handle one. The lenses are superb. Great with normal to wide angle, and in dim light. Quiet +++.

I don't like it with telephoto lenses, SLR's are better for this. Slow to reload, and buy a spare reel for safety!

I totally disagree with Mr. Platter. I find my M3 compares very favorably with my Hasselblad cameras and lenses. I can routinely enlarge Leica negatives to 11x14, handheld! I have L series Canon Eos lenses which can't do that. No camera or tool is perfect for every job. But as the last reviewer noted, once you handle a Leica, you find it is uniques, and does things others can't. That is why it has survived, despite the high cost. Is it 20x better that a used Spotmatic for $100?I can't say; you can always find cheaper things that do some sort of a job. But when the BEST picture of you life is unfolding in front of you, you want the best. For me, in many situations, that would be the M3. I especially like it for urban photos in bad neighborhoods, where the Hasselblad or 4x5 is much slower, requires a tripod, etc. To each their own. Larry

Customer Service

Sherry Krauter-Golden Touch. She is great.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblads, Nikon F, Leica SLRs, Canon EOS (1 and 3), 4x5, on and on.