Leica M camera serial numbers

[Chuck A]

I bought an M4-P recently as a user camera. I noticed something strange though. The serial number on it actually corresponds to one of the last M4-2 cameras not an M4-P. It lands in the last 87 M4-2s made.

Is this an anomoly or has anyone seen this kind of thing before? It really doesn't mean much to me as I am going to use the camera, but I just bought an M6TTL and might sell the M4-P if I like the M6 better.

 

[peter_n]

What is your source for the camera type/serial nr. data?

 

[Chuck A]

What is your source for the camera type/serial nr. data?

I am using the Leica pocket book. I also checked on Cameraquest and the numbers seem the same.

 

[peter_n]

OK. I have the Hove book too and if your source was something else I would have cross-checked in there for you. Leica have always been a bit dodgy with the serial numbers, I wouldn't be too worried about it especially since you're going to be using it.

The latest thing with serial numbers is trying to figure out if an M7 has the improved MP VF. The assumption is that the manufacturing assignment of serial nrs. is just that; serial. In fact Leice uses sets of number in batches and on occasion have used a supposedly "newer" set before an "older" set. Often you can't simply go by the serial nr...

Enjoy your new camera! 🙂

 

[dll927]

That's news to me - I have understood that the Cameraquest numberings were pretty reliable. But there are always anomalies in everything.

 

[Chuck A]

So I guess that this M4-P would be one of the first ones made. Cool.

 

[Avotius]

OK. I have the Hove book too and if your source was something else I would have cross-checked in there for you. Leica have always been a bit dodgy with the serial numbers, I wouldn't be too worried about it especially since you're going to be using it.

The latest thing with serial numbers is trying to figure out if an M7 has the improved MP VF. The assumption is that the manufacturing assignment of serial nrs. is just that; serial. In fact Leice uses sets of number in batches and on occasion have used a supposedly "newer" set before an "older" set. Often you can't simply go by the serial nr...

Enjoy your new camera! 🙂

speaking of which, is there any way to actually tell now? If serial numbers dont do it then there must be something else out there. I saw a m7 in a store window that had a big old hair in the viewfinder and crud all around and thought to myself.....holy hell....I dont want that happening to me

 

[peter_n]

Not that I know of. I think that's why the documentation of serial nrs. and year of manufacture has tailed off in recent years, as it is a recent phenomemon. I have an M7 serial nr. 2786xxx bought new last November and I had read reports that M7s with that serial nr. had the new MP VF even though the number was "old". I had it checked by my local Leica dealer (I bought it out-of-state) and sure enough it had the flare-free VF. The story was that Leica had fitted the MP finder to the last 500 of the 2786 run as a test. I think mine had been sitting for quite a while on the dealer's shelf too.