Leica M2

Infobox camera
camera_name = Leica M2

---

type = 35 mm rangefinder camera
lens_mount = Leica M mount
focus = manual
exposure = manual
flash = standard accessory shoe with separate bulb and electronic flash connectors
frame-rate =
dimensions = 138 x 77 x 33.5mm, 580gThe Leica M2 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera by Ernst Leitz GmbH of Weztlar, Germany, introduced in 1957. Leica is a portmanteau formed from the words Leitz and Camera. The M2 has a rangefinder with a 0.72 magnification and frames for 35, 50 and 90mm lenses (instead of the 0.91 magnification and 50, 90 and 135mm frames of the M3). This made it better suited for photojournalists who favour shorter lenses. Unlike the M3, the widest framelines were not always visible so only one set of framelines were ever displayed at one time. All M2s are single stroke advance. Around 82,000 M2s were produced between 1957 and 1968. Around 1500 M2s were produced by Ernst Leitz Canada, but most of these are not marked as such on the top plate.

The M2 was considered to be a simplification of the Leica M3 of 1954 which made it more affordable than the M3 — thus the name "M2." Notably, the frame counter of the M2 was composed of a disk plate beneath the film advance lever that had to be manually reset to zero after reloading. This system was close to that of the Leica III series, and unlike that of the M3, which is an independent frame counter, visible through a window in the top plate, that automatically resets to zero. The rangefinder system was also simplified from that of the M3 and this made it potentially more prone to rangefinder flare. Finally, the ornate beveling around the various windows on the front of the M3 were flattened on the body of the M2.

The M2 was followed by the still simpler Leica M1 and then the Leica M4, which used a similar rangefinder design but re-introduced the M3 style frame counter and added a faster loading system and a canted rewind lever.

The Leica M2 is the camera that was used by Alberto Korda to take his famous photo of Che Guevara.

Variations

There are a number of variations of the Leica M2. Although most models have the self-timer lever, it is absent from some earlier models. Also, some early models have a film rewind push-button instead of the typical lever. About 2400 M2s were factory-painted black, but these are relatively rare and more valued by collectors. Near the end of production, Leica also produced a number of M2-R models, which had the faster loading system of the later Leica M4.

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?LeicaM2.html Leica M2] on photoethnography.com
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/mtype.htm Leica M Serial Numbers] on Cameraquest.com