- 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 andelectronic flash connectors
frame-rate =
dimensions = 138 x 77 x 33.5mm, 580gThe Leica M2 is a35 mm rangefinder camera by Ernst Leitz GmbH of Weztlar, Germany, introduced in1957 . Leica is a portmanteau formed from the words Leitz andCamera . 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 theLeica 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 theLeica 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 ofChe 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
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