Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/02/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]1&2: Actually both the M2 and M3 were discontinued when the M4 came on stream. There was very little production overlap but, as with all things Leica, there were quite a few in the system so it took a few years before the M3/2 were finally dropped from the catalogues. Check here for serial number allocation dates: http://www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm The M2-R was production overrun from a cancelled military contract. It is not a good idea to search for logic in military contracts. 4,5,6&7: You may want to review your Leica history (LFI has published some interesting interviews and Laney has a good account). Here it is in brief. The Leica M4 was discontinued..Kaput! Leica Canada was busy making lenses for M cameras and realised that without a body demand would soon fall off. They argued that lower Canadian wages, rationalised production methods and reduced shipping costs to the principle Leica market (USA) would make a relaunched M body profitable. The M4-2 could hardly be considered a success (16k over three years) except only in hindsight. Otherwise we would not be eagerly anticipating a M7 on Sunday. John Collier > From: Photo Phreak <leicam4pro@yahoo.com> > ============================================================ > > FYI: > 1. The M3 was discontinued to make room for M4 production. > 2. The M2 and / or the M2R were still available in US in 1971/72. > 3. The M4 was continued in production for 1 year after the > introduction of the M5. > 4. Because of demand M4 production was resumed in Canada > for a brief period. As I understand it all of the > tooling was moved from Germany to Canada for this. > 5. Although it may only be speculation, the American > military order for the KE-7 modified M4 may have been > a big part of this. > 6. The demand for the "overun" of KE-7 cameras led to the > production of the M4-2. > 7. The success of the M4-2 led to the M4-P.........M6. > - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html