I've done it now...

[itf]

After seeing a few Leica M4-P's and M4-2's go off on that auction site for more than I expected (I posted something about it not long ago), I pretty much set about convincing myself I really didn't want one anyway. I was doing pretty well too, which was probably helped by the fact I'd never held one and only once seen one 'in the flesh.'

Then, yesterday, wandering around here in Bangkok, I stumbled across an area dominated by second-hand camera shops. I noticed some Leicas in one of them and thought "here we go, time to prove to myself that I don't want one, with something to base that on." I walked in to the shop and looked through the cameras there and asked if I could look at the Leicas (M3, M4, M4-P) without asking the price (if I didn't want one it mattered not how much they were).

Well... the guy was great. He looked curiously at my heavily worn Bessa R with its 25/4 and accessory Viewfinder while I fiddled around with each of the cameras. So... the focus is fast and clear (more than I remeber the Bessa being back when it had a rangefinder), the shutter amazingly quiet (I didn't expect it be so much different), the weight wasn't a problem (quite nice actually), and it didn't give my hand instant hyperhydrosis (read: unbelievable sweatiness) as soon as I held it in the humid Bangkok air.

Obviously my convincing myself did not go so well. I really would like an M4-P now, but his asking price of ~ $US1200 was far beyond what I have any hope of affording right now. Hopefully I can find one soon!

One question; I've read that an M6 can have parts in the RF/VF changed to make it the same as M2-M4 and MP, can the same be done with the M4-P? I didn't notice any difference but I didn't take so long comparing.

 

[xayraa33]

yes, it was an optical condenser that was taken out thru the M4-2 production run and can be put back in.
it is funny that people dis the early M4-2's, but they still had M4 RF optics.

 

[itf]

itf, there is no doubt that the Leicas are beautiful to hold and quiet to shoot. I own an M2 and M3, and they are wonderful cameras. But when I grab a rangefinder to go out and shoot, it's the Bessa R I grab. It, and the CV lenses, are lightweight and functional, and inexpensive. I don't worry about damaging them (or the cost to repair them). I just take photos.

Having said that, every RF shooter should have a Leica M of some kind. Otherwise you will spend far too much time lusting after one and reading about them 🙂

I didn't find the weight of the Leicas so bad; maybe just because I was expecting worse. Maybe after a day of holding it though... especially as I'm in the habit of not using a strap. I have a pretty good pinch grip now!

Oh, the other thing is that I got used to carrying a Pentax K1000, and carried that for a long time before I knew what a RF was.

As for lenses, I'd still be using CV; I can't see myself being able to afford otherwise anytime soon.

I'd just prefer one to come to me than heve to go looking.

 

[northpole]

Having said that, every RF shooter should have a Leica M of some kind. Otherwise you will spend far too much time lusting after one and reading about them

I quite agree - that's what helped prompt me to bid on a Hexar kit which is headed my way with 3 lenses en tow!

Peter

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... it is funny that people dis the early M4-2's, but they still had M4 RF optics.

Not to be technical, but actually they did not.

The RF beginning with the M4-2 was constructed with a "fix-or-replace" mentality/philosophy with fewer adjustments possible. Finders built since have the same optics plus or minus the optical condenser - put back with the introduction of the MP (taken out during the M4-2 run). This optical condenser can be put back into any RF from the M4-2 through the M7/MP.

One could argue it is "just as good" as the original M2/4 finder, but it is not the same.

 

[xayraa33]

Not to be technical, but actually they did not.

The RF beginning with the M4-2 was constructed with a "fix-or-replace" mentality/philosophy with fewer adjustments possible. Finders built since have the same optics plus or minus the optical condenser - put back with the introduction of the MP (taken out during the M4-2 run). This optical condenser can be put back into any RF from the M4-2 through the M7/MP.

One could argue it is "just as good" as the original M2/4 finder, but it is not the same.

the M4-2 started the Leica fix or replace method that is still with us on the newer models, maybe Leica adopted what Nippon Kogaku did on the S series of RF cameras.
other than cost savings, the Nikon product needed less adjustments on a CLA, and longer periods between CLAs.
not a bad thing.