Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/01/10

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Leica M2 question
From: Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu>
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1999 08:47:19 -0600 (CST)

Hi, Alexander

Well!  You have inherited a very late M2 that should be 
one of the finest Leicas ever built.  There are those of 
us who consider the late M2-M3 to be the peak of Leica's 
"bell curve" of quality.

It is FULLY compatible with every Leica M lens ever produced, 
and can use LTM (screw Mt.) lenses via an inexpensive adaptor, 
with FULL function of the rangefinder. Bear in mind, however, 
that it only has framelines for 35, 50, and 90mm lenses, and 
the whole finder is close to the view of a 28mm.  It can 
be updated for about $250 US to include all the newer framelines, 
but if it is in mint condition this would reduce its future 
value to collectors (if you care).

I'd have it cleaned and checked and enjoy using it.  I'd say 
that 50% or more of Leica users consider the rangefinders 
to be the only "real" leicas, and I agree.

As for use of the camera, I don't have an instruction manual
to share, but the Leica manuals are very fine introductions 
to the cameras.  Find any owner's manual from any M camera--
they're all the same basic camera, anyway.  BTW, the lenses are 
not any better than R, mostly, and not necessarily better than 
other companies' lenses, but the M camera body WILL allow you 
to produce FAR superior results in low light or with W.A. 
lenses....I'll leave it for someone more eloquent to detail the 
reasons.  Hand holding below 1/60 is virtually impossible with 
any SLR, but many report reliable results as slow as 1/8 sec.
with an Mcamera and practice.  

Enjoy your "new-old" camera, 
Walt