I have no interest in an M4 or M4-2 but what a marvelous write up! Thank you for sharing this.
madNbad wrote:
I own both. The M4 is from 1968 and was built with brass gears and the older philosophy of fitting each piece. The M4-2 is the camera that really saved Leica. By the mid 1970's Leica had invested heavily in the SL and couldn't compete with the SLR's coming out of Japan. The decision was made to move manufacturing to Canada, reducing labor cost and moving to a different manufacturing process. The M5 is a great camera but complicated and expensive to build. Leica decided to return to the M4 body design for the new camera. The first change was to move from brass to steel gears. Steel gears were stronger and able to take the stress of a motor winder. They were also easier to drop in place without a lot of hand fitting. The M4-2 was also the first M camera to incorporate a hot shoe. The rangefinder was simplified by removing a condenser that reduces flare in certain lighting situations. The self timer was removed to save cost.
The initial batch was less than a rousing success. The all new steel gears would jam and lock up the camera. Adjustments were made and the design is still used in the latest film cameras.
The biggest bugaboo with the M4-2 is the aging, brittle plastic used in the flash block for both the M and X syncs on the back of the camera and the hot shoe. It's recommended not to use flash plugs. They can catch on clothing and pull the socket out. I had mine replaced with a 3D printed nylon block from Midnight Camera based in Hong Kong. I don't know if he is still making them but it's worth a look.
I love my M4-2! I use it more than any other camera. The viewfinder is bright and not cluttered with a lot of frame lines. It has a nice solid feel and when I had it serviced, replaced the articulated advance lever with a solid MP style one.
I recently bought a Artizlab 35 1.4 Classic. It's a copy of the late 1960's Summilux 35 V2. I have been using it with the M4 and it's like stepping back in time.
I hope this helps....Show more →
Happy to report back that I ended up getting a Leica M-A. Camerawest had one in store, and after a few items trading in, I was able to bring one home. I like the fact that M-A has quick-load, and there are complete lack of battery doors, timer at where the right hand hold. I suppose the M-A's rangefinder patch and the finder itself is very bright. I don't like the rewind. I much wish it is a rewind crank. Lastly, I love the iconic shutter sounds.
mikegao wrote:
Happy to report back that I ended up getting a Leica M-A. Camerawest had one in store, and after a few items trading in, I was able to bring one home. I like the fact that M-A has quick-load, and there are complete lack of battery doors, timer at where the right hand hold. I suppose the M-A's rangefinder patch and the finder itself is very bright. I don't like the rewind. I much wish it is a rewind crank. Lastly, I love the iconic shutter sounds.
Congrats! Make sure it is not a film scratcher. The recent ones shared same pressure plates as the new M6.
Congrats! Make sure it is not a film scratcher. The recent ones shared same pressure plates as the new M6.
I had shot more than 10 rolls using the M-A since I got the camera. Happy to report no problem so far. I don't even know such problem exists until I read it on the other post.
mikegao wrote:
I had shot more than 10 rolls using the M-A since I got the camera. Happy to report no problem so far. I don't even know such problem exists until I read it on the other post.
