ASA/DIN Selector on M4

[kentdunne]

Hello hello,

I got a Leica M4 and the 35mm ƒ/2.8 for Christmas and almost pee'd my pants. I've spent all morning learning the knobs and buttons and all that.

The thing that I can't figure out, and can't find anywhere on the internet is how the ASA dial works. I dont understand the numbers. I usually shoot Kodak TMAX 100 or 400TX, but the dial on the back has the ASA numbers 4, 10, 20.. etc.. The instructions say nothing, and neither does the internet.

Any help decifering what these mean?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Florian1234]

The dial for ASA/DIN on the M4 is, as far as I know, just for remembering which film you put inside and does not change anything inside the camera and how it puts light on the film. 🙂

 

[Glenn2]

It's only to remind you what film is loaded. It has no effect on how the camera operates.

Glenn

 

[Melvin]

The outer numbers are the film speed(ASA).

 

[kentdunne]

Oh, Okay!
I feel dumb asking that, but makes sense, after inspection, it doesn't really control anything. in the camera.

This only makes it simpler for me, thank you for the quick reply!

 

[Santafecino]

If the one on the M4 puzzles you, take a look at the one on the M4-2 and the M4-P. The dial doesn't rotate! I wondered for years how it worked at all. Then I read somwhere that you're supposed to mark it with a grease pencil! Pretty amazing, for a Leica.

Their idea of cost saving--an engineering low point.

 

[Ken Shipman]

ASA=ISO. DIN is an older German film speed scale no longer used. Until ISO was adopted globally the combined ASA/DIN scales were common. On the M4 it is just a reminder of the film speed being used. Note you can use the pointer for B&W film, outdoor color film, or indoor color (tungsten) film, depending on what type you're using. It has no effect on M4 camera operation. The M5, M6, and later have built-in meters, so the ASA/DIN/ISO settings do affect the metering in those cameras.