Leica M4

nobbylon

nobbylon

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So I sell all my Leica bodies, the last one went a couple of weeks ago and I have to say I was having doubts about my big sell off!!!
I was casually looking on the net at ads for M2, M3, etc.......and I happened upon an M4 with Elmar 50 and leicameter. Apparently it hadn't been used for 20 years and the seller had bought it new in '70.
I couldn't help it!!! arghhhh, drove over and it really was in beautifull condition, slow speeds not working so I negotiated on the price and once again i'm back in leica land :bang:. I've cleaned it up and after sitting for an hour firing the shutter speeds, working progressively down from an eighth to 1 sec, all speeds now working fine. Popped a new battery in the meter and that's perfect too! 1st roll tomorrow and see how they look! sorry I just had to tell someone,
regards j
3096476178_ace20d598e_o.jpg
 
Very nice, indeed. The M4 is my all time favorite camera. If I could afford an a la carte MP, it would look like an M4.
How do you know the slow speeds are working fine? Did you test them other than by listening to them?
 
visiondr said:
Very nice, indeed. The M4 is my all time favorite camera. If I could afford an a la carte MP, it would look like an M4.
How do you know the slow speeds are working fine? Did you test them other than by listening to them?
Click to expand...

Ron,
Basically the slow speed mech had obviously gummed up a bit and at an eighth, quarter, half and 1 sec the first curtain opened and the second didn't close every time. I could hear the mech struggling to run. I just sat there and clicked away for an hour and eventually the mech started to run consistently. The speeds sound about right when compaired with my OM1's. I'm going to try it out tomorrow and see how the results look. I can't see that they will be that far off and with the latitude of print film I'm hoping it will be fine.
I'm going with the Roger Hicks school of thought on this one regarding 'none cla' !!!
regards j
 
Tuolumne said:
Does the Leica meter scratch your top plate? I've seen many older Leicas with meter scratches on the top plate and so have been reluctant to use one.

/T
Click to expand...

The Leicameter scratches the top plate only when put on and taken off clumsily or wrongly. This particular M4 has just a couple of meter marks on the top. I have seen some top plates actually dented by rough and wrong removal technique! I suppose that in a bag with pressure on top of the meter, as it moves around in the flash shoe it could cause the trademark light marks on the top. You could perhaps use some clear sticky back plastic to protect the top plate.
 
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Tuolumne said:
Does the Leica meter scratch your top plate? I've seen many older Leicas with meter scratches on the top plate and so have been reluctant to use one.

/T
Click to expand...

Years ago I found some thin felt with adhesive backing and cut a piece to fit the meter bottom. Since then haven't had a problem with marks on the top plate. Photo attached.....


Glenn
 

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That great M4

That great M4

Congratulations. I have an old and well used M4 ( all the shots of mine on Leica Boutique were made with it ) and it is battered but beautiful.

Yours is terrific. Use it and love it.

Gary Haigh

South Australia
 
Seems like you can leave if you want but you always come back. I have been gone and back a few times. It always costs more to come back than it does to leave. I have decided to stay even if the camera sits unused from time to time. Less guilt and more satisfaction if you don't worry about leaving the thing unused. After all, it is not sitting there shouting at you to come play with it like a new puppy. John
 
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