Classic fully mechanical Leica rangefinder from 1957, the best value vintage M body with 35mm framelines.
The Leica M2 is a classic 35mm rangefinder camera released approximately 1957 — the simplified companion to the M3. The M2 added the 35mm frameline absent from the M3, making it the preferred M for 35mm lens work. Leica M mount.
35mm film rangefinder. All-mechanical shutter (1/1000s maximum). 0.72× viewfinder with 35mm, 50mm, 90mm framelines. No built-in light meter. Trigger shutter release. At approximately 560g. Leica M mount.
The M2 expanded on the M3 by adding the 35mm frameline while maintaining the M3's excellent viewfinder quality. No internal meter means exposure is manual (external meter required). A popular user camera for street and documentary photography on M-mount.
On the used market the Leica M2 is a classic manual-exposure film rangefinder. Condition checks: rangefinder patch and viewfinder condition, shutter at all speeds, advance lever. Leica M mount. No meter — bring external meter. Verify production era via serial number.