Refresh My Memory: M4 - why was it "THE" Leica?

[dcsang]

I'm not talking the M4-P.
I'm talking strictly M4.

What was it, about this particular Leica, that made it so coveted or "special" in the eyes of the Leicaphiles?

Enquiring Mind Wants To Know,
Dave 😀

 

[Rafael]

I'm not entirely sure, but I certainly love mine. The M4 has the build quality of the classic Leica M bodies (including the brass top and the engraving). But it also has some of the more "modern" features such as the angled rewind, the newer advance lever, and the easier film loading. Thinking of getting one????

 

[raid]

The M3 is THE Leica.
Some would say that the M5 is THE Leica.
Now, some would say that the M8 is THE Leica.

It never ends.
Just enjoy what you have and pretend it is THE Leica.

 

[dcsang]

The M3 is THE Leica.
Some would say that the M5 is THE Leica.
Now, some would say that the M8 is THE Leica.

It never ends.
Just enjoy what you have and pretend it is THE Leica.

Oh.. I am..
My M7 and M2 are both "THE" Leicas 🙂

I was more curious why the M4 was held in such high regard.

Dave

 

[xayraa33]

It just seems to be the last of the great Wetzlar beauties Dave.
there is a superbness in fit and finish and feel of the Leitz products from about 1960 to 1971.
the M4 represents this supreme excellence at its apex.
but mind you the Midland Canada black chromes ones are equally nice, but not too common.

 

[HuubL]

Last hand built
brass gears
neutral color VF
non flare VF
angled rewind
modern glue'd RF
ST

Ok, no meter
ugly plastic in/on the levers

 

[shadowfox]

What's wrong with no meter? 😀

 

[HuubL]

oh, and the last Leica with the classic etched script on top instead of the ugly red dot... 🙂

The levers can easily be exchanged, see the link in my signature photo...

 

[vrgard]

Looks like others have already said what came to my mind first. I have an M3, and M4 and an M6. The M3 has the advantage of larger magnification viewfinder which is great for 50 or 90 work. The M6 has the advantage of a built in meter and 28mm framelines. But in overall feel the M4 is my favorite and, for the reasons stated above, consider it the best of all worlds.

-Randy

 

[principe azul]

Roy Moss wrote an article for the LHSA - 'Last of the Truly Great Leicas.' Not online any more, but PM me if you'd like a copy.

[edit: please PM me with your email address, as (pdf) attachments can't be sent to you by PM]

For me, I found one that was cheaper than the cheapest used M6s, and it has more accurate framelines than the M6 (same finder mag, but no 28mm framelines).

Aethetically, I prefer the plastic infills on the levers to the metal levers on the M3 and M2. Not important, but you have to be completely satisfied when you're handing over the better part of a month's salary...

 

[rxmd]

oh, and the last Leica with the classic etched script on top instead of the ugly red dot... 🙂

Wouldn't that be the M5? And didn't you want to get one of those, too? 😉

Philipp

 

[Tuolumne]

Wouldn't that be the M5? And didn't you want to get one of those, too? 😉

Philipp

Ah yes, the M5, the despised ugly duckling of the Leica family of M cameras. Certainly the ultimate picture making machine, but not by common consensus. It's my favorite M body by far, but will never be considered "THE" Leica.

/T

 

[HuubL]

Wouldn't that be the M5? And didn't you want to get one of those, too? 😉

Philipp

You're right. I do want an M5 too! It's just so ... ehh ... un-M-ish ... 🙂

I'm sure going to like it when I have one.

It's like with the M2 that I always considered a downgraded M4. Now that I have one, I love it! And I agree it's a wonderful camera in a class of its own, like the M4 is. Only minor thing is the blueish viewfinder. The rewind and the counter doesn't bother me the least.

Problem with the M5 is they seem to be quite costly recently. I have the impression prices are rising.

 

[Rob-F]

At the time, the M4 seemed to have it all. It did everything an M2 could do, plus having a 135mm finder frame, plus repid loading and rapid rewind.

The hinged plastic tip on the winding lever was viewed with great suspicion "Whaddaya need that for?"; as were the plastic inserts on the front levers "They don't make 'em like they used to!"

 

[vrgard]

Agreed, Rob-F. And I like the fact that the 135 framelines are merely tiny little corners that can easily be ignored thus keeping the M4 framelines cleaner than, for example, the M6 framelines.

-Randy

 

[HuubL]

Right, framelines! How could I forget it.

 

[pvdhaar]

No one has mentioned the self timer.. My M4 has got one, and I think it's a great addition for when you're without cable release..

 

[HuubL]

No one has mentioned the self timer.. My M4 has got one, and I think it's a great addition for when you're without cable release..

I did mention it: "ST" 🙂
Indeed a useful addon. Makes for a nice delayed action "cable release" for night photography and family portraits! Not that I use it often, perhaps twice a year. Some people find it interferes with the "grip". I don't mind. It's not in the way.

 

[pvdhaar]

I did mention it: "ST" 🙂 ..

Ah.. yes, didn't figure that out.. 😱


Come to think of it, the frame counter also auto resets when the bottom is removed..

 

[Rico]

To my eye, the M4 is prettiest. Do I have a chrome addiction? 🙂

​