(Price) advice on buying a Leica M4-P

[Calvito]

Hi, I am new to this forum and I hope it's ok to bother you with the following. As I've been doing nearly only digital photography (a Canon EOS 50D) up to now, I need some advice from the Leica people here.

Last week I saw a beautiful Leica M4-P. My neighbour is selling it and neither of us know what a good price could be. I have looked on eBay and prices there range from 300 us dollars up to a couple of thousand.

It has a Voigtländer Nokton 50 mm F 1.5 lens fitted. Strangely enough, the shutter seems like it's open a bit, as seen in the fourth picture. Is that the way it's supposed to be? I have also been warned for fakes and I would like to know how to recognize these.

I shot some quick pictures with my iPhone while I was admiring the camera. Apart from the ones below, there are higher resolution ones here:
Leica M4-P pictures (in high res)

It would be great if anyone could say something about this marvelous camera. It was a joy just to hold the thing. Heavy in a very good way. I would love this camera to help me explore the world of analog photography.

Thanks!


Here are (small versions of) the pictures:

 

[Calvito]

Here are some more pictures as the maximum per post is three:

The first one is the one with the shutter partly open. Is that ok or is it broken?

 

[Calvito]

The last two pictures:


Thanks a lot for any help with this guys!

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I don't see the issue with the shutter in your photos.
It looks like a great camera as long as the viewfinder is bright, rangefinder is accurate and the shutter speeds are good.
With that Nokton lens $1000 would probably be fair, maybe a bit more, depends upon the condition of the lens too.

The M4-P is one of the best, you won't be dissatisfied.

Phil Forrest

 

[karlori]

The lens alone in EX+ condition could be around 400$ and it's a nice user body I'd say around 600$(you should factor in a CLA) + it has a nice leather case as it seems from the dropbox set. Dunno 800$-1000$ for the whole set ????

 

[Moriturii]

These two are dreaming. That camera is worth about $800 alone usually. Anything less, in that condition, and you'd be lucky.

Lens? I have no idea. I'd say about $1200 for both would be normal fleebay price. If you can get it cheaper from your buddie that would be sweet.

 

[Clancycoop]

Here are some more pictures as the maximum per post is three:

The first one is the one with the shutter partly open. Is that ok or is it broken?

You cannot see the shutter in the first picture. You can see the aperture, which opens or closes according to your need. Unlike an SLR, it does not stop down at the moment the shutter is fired, but rests at whatever you set it to.

I.e. There is nothing wrong with the shutter from that picture, as you are viewing the aperture.

 

[Calvito]

@ Karlori: What is a CLA please?

@ aperture64: Does this mean the camera could be a fake?
The leather was applied later on. I believe it was ordered in Canada. I actually quite like it.

 

[Calvito]

@ Clancycoop: Thanks for setting me straight on that one. And I now understand what should have been clear a while back already. As I said, new to the whole analog thing ;-)

 

[MCTuomey]

I purchased my "dream" M4-P last year from a member for around $850, if I recall correctly. Slight "chroming," excellent mechanicals and cosmetics, original vulcanite, with an M3 film advance lever. Hope this helps.

 

[karlori]

@ Karlori: What is a CLA please?

Hi,

Clean Lube Adjust - maintenance that in my opinion should be made on any mechanical camera that sat for a long time unused or is in unknown mechanical state... Starting costs should be around 150$-200$ depending who does the job... IMHO I'd give 1000$ max for the kit.

Guys, Isn't there one screw too many on the camera ???

 

[Calvito]

Ok, thanks for the price explanation and for the CLA-explication. Little did I know...

 

[Glass Addict]

I don't know if I buy into the no white paint, not original leather dropping the camera's value.
To some maybe, but not to others. As Calvito mentioned already, he/she likes the new leather.
I for one think it looks just a nice as the original. Assuming everything function ok and in good condition, there will be a buyer who will be willing to pay around $750-800 for it. It all depends on how urgent the seller is in selling it. As someone else already said, if the seller was to sell the whole package for $1000, I would be first in line.

 

[karlori]

Ok, thanks for the price explanation and for the CLA-explication. Little did I know...

No problem, check out http://sherrykrauter.com/ http://dagcamera.com/ and http://www.yyecamera.com/ for CLA estimates and cameraleather.com for a new leather covering for the camera if you don't like the covering the camera has now.

Mind you the Nokton is a great little lens I sold mine but am starting to miss it :bang: if you could get a workable/acceptable price for the kit you should go for it.

 

[rod64]

I got mine a year ago. Original leather and some braising. Paid $600. I would say that $800 for the body alone is a bit much especially between neighbours. Then add the price of the Nokton.

 

[Calvito]

OK guys, thanks a lot for the info. So around $ 1000 seems like a fair price for the package...

But the other main question I still have is about the authenticity of the camera. Is there any doubt amount anyone here that the camera might be a fake or does it look original and legit to you?

Thanks 🙂

 

[Daan]

it's definitely real. no question about it.
Also

the shutter seems like it's open a bit, as seen in the fourth picture

The fourth picture is a photo of the lens. The opening you see is the aperture to let more or less light in when the shutter opens.

The shutter in the camera looks fine to me.

 

[Chris101]

A thousand bucks is a good price. I paid $1200 for a similar one, but with everything original and a Voigtlander 35mm Ultron lens. I blacked out the white lettering myself, painted the R red and removed the frame line control lever. Then it got stolen - it's not your's Calvito - mine was a slightly earlier serial number. But the insurance adjuster valued it at $1400.

 

[Calvito]

Ok guys, once again thanks for the abundance of answers. A great help...

One thing I have heard very little about though: the authenticity of the camera. As I mentioned before, my photography teacher warned me to check if the camera is a real Leica or a cheaper knock off. Any ideas of what to look for to check this?

 

[Crazy Fedya]

It is only applicable with older, screwmount type Leica bodies. I don't think anyone made a M-mount knock-off.