Olive green M4-2

Pickett Wilson said:
Yes, there were M4-2 Olive cameras supplied with the 50 Summicron to the Israeli Army. Whether this is one, I don't know.
Click to expand...

That is the claim of people selling olive M4-2's.

I have not heard of any confirmation of it from Leica.
Until Leica confirms it with the camera serial numbers, I won't believe that story.

Stephen
 
The Leica M Compendium from 1994 says there were an unspecified number of Olive Green M4-2's shipped to the Tank Division of the Israeli Army. Is the Compendium incorrect on this one?
 
Pickett Wilson said:
The Leica M Compendium from 1994 says there were an unspecified number of Olive Green M4-2's shipped to the Tank Division of the Israeli Army. Is the Compendium incorrect on this one?
Click to expand...

That is not the same as confirmation from Leica.
Think about it. Why would the Israeli tanks need Leica rangefinders?
Not too many picture ops inside a tank, and outside you get shot.

Stephen
 
They have an M4-2 in chrome finish too, this is another extrange item...
Is the any confirmation of this cameras?
 
No IDF engravings?

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WTB: 35mm f3.5 W Komura, W Acall Kyoei, Telesar or Accura ltm lens.
Please send PM with details🙂.
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What military branch used the Ke7a?

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WTB: 35mm f3.5 W Komura, W Acall Kyoei, Telesar or Accura ltm lens.
Please send PM with details🙂.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The person selling this camera is known throughout the Leica Collectable world as a maker of many things. She was in cahoots with the manager of E Leitz Canada and bought a tractor trailer load of parts from "them" plus the Pantograph to make engravings. Any thing posted by Her is suspect. Look at the post and it states no supporting paper work and no return.... What do you think.
 
Why would the IDF Tank command have Leicas? Could it be extra armour for the tanks, everyone knows Leicas are a bullet proof design.

Bob
 
The "Israeli Tank Command Cameras" have some strange provenance. In the late 70's and early 80's Leica Midland would make anything you wanted, including 30 chrome M4-2's, olive green M4-2's, 1/2 frame M2's and lenses in matching colors and finishes. There was nothing strange with that. You paid for it and you got what you wanted - in whatever finish you wanted.
However, legends have been attached to these cameras over the years, including the Tank Command cameras. I have never heard of any surfacing in Israel - or even being seen there.
As for it being collectible - unless there are documentation to prove that it was an officially sanctioned camera from ELCAN or Leitz - it is worth as much as any M4-2 with a green paint job in my opinion. Whatever the body cost + $3-400 for the paint. As for the # number - the m4-2 and later cameras had the # on the shoe - undo 4 screws and it can be switched. As for the red dot - only the first 100 M4-2's had a red dot (and only one slot in the winder take up drive) - If the camera was made in 1980 - why would it have a 1978 covering on it?
This is a case of buyer beware. If you want an olive green M4-2 - just have a black one repainted and save $5000!!!!
 
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