Canada Made M-4

[bluelight]

Just wonder if it is true that only 100 Chrom M4 were made in Midland Canada?

In Cameraquest site, there were two blocks of 100 units produced in Canada in 1967. If the M$ was ELC, should it be engraved accordingly?

It's probably a collecter question but I am curious.

Thanks

 

[Tom A]

There are differences in "Made In Canada" or assembled in Canada. There were M2's and M3's made in Canada, mainly from parts imported from Germany. They usually had a slightly different typeface on the serial number, but a very small amount of them was engraved "Midland, Canada"
There was a black chrome version of the M4 made (2500 pieces), engraved "Midland, Canada" and a small series of chrome M4's with similar engraving. The fact that the numbers were assigned to a certain model, does not mean it was made. Numbers were usually assigned in blocks and if used up, there was a new block assigned.
The M4-2 was a take off on the M4, black chrome and though something like 17000 serial numbers were assigned, only about 8-10 000 were made.
A chrome M4 with the Made in Canada and Midland engraving would be rare. I have no idea what the price premium would be though.

 

[bluelight]

Thanks Tom,

I guess from a collector point of view, the ELC Chrome M4 is only valuable with "Midland, Canada" engraved.

My M4 seems to be in the 11830xx range but it has the "Leitz Gmbh" engraved and thus not qualified for the premium.

Just want to make and feel more comfortable in using the camera.

Cheers

 

[xayraa33]

the black chrome Midland M4's were very nice cameras.

 

[Glenn2]

I've got one of the chrome ELC M4's and just use it as my normal carry camera. Mine says Wetzlar not Midland so haven't been too worried that it's super rare and worth big $$$$ to some crazy collector.

With an old Midland 35mm Summilux mounted it becomes a true Canuck, Eh. ;-)

Glenn

 

[bluelight]

Thanks Glenn,

Is your M4 in the 1183xxx serial number range?

I can also pair that with a 90 TE too 🙂-)

 

[Glenn2]

Yes it's from the same serial range, they could be sisters.
Bought it used in Calgary during the late 60's. Found the M4 so much to my liking that I bought a second one new. It's a slightly later Wetzlar camera and the only difference seems to be the eye piece mask.

Also have a Canuck 90 TE, an excellent compact lens.

Glenn

Thanks Glenn,

Is your M4 in the 1183xxx serial number range?

I can also pair that with a 90 TE too 🙂-)