Leica M4 or Leica M4-2?

Leica M4 or Leica M4-2?

  • Leica M4

    Votes: 271 76.3%

  • Leica M4-2

    Votes: 84 23.7%
  • Total voters
    355
punkromance said:
... Though a chrome M4 would be very nice...
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OK, since you asked so nicely. 🙂

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Yeah, they feel nice too. I shot the M4 and M6 together yesterday, testing and comparing shutter speeds. The M4 shutter is dragging at 1/1000, and inconsistent at other other speeds (reciprocity test), but I still prefer the feel of the M4, esp. the shutter release. Time to save for the service.
 
DAG
is the only person on earth I would trust my Leica with, he does an excellent job and stands behind his work. The key to getting your camera back in a timely manner is getting him on the phone, and putting a date that you want the camera back in your letter with the camera. He is overwhelmingly busy for good reason. He overhauled my grandmother's M3 that hadnt been used in 30 years and returned a buttery smooth like new camera. He also upgraded my M6ttl finder and advance lever to the m3 style, he adjusted the speeds for no extra cost while it was with him(what others would call a CLA). In my opinion he undercharges for the quality of work that he does.
Nik
 
Either one. I have both. Both have performed flawlessly for 30+ years. Which is smoother? Any camera used continuously for this long should feel like "butta".
 
punkromance said:
The M4-P for example is very highly thought of...
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Not by everyone.

It's one of the worst Ms ever made, especially in black chrome (finder, finish, vulnerability of rewind when banged around).

But the differences between M2, M3, M4-P, MP are still pretty trivial (I own/have owned all of them), and a 'bad' Leica is still better than many manufacturers' 'best' cameras.

Cheers,

R.
 
SOmebody have an idea of the cost for a CLA in CRR Luton, I have to send a M4 for shutter repair.

Thanks
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I just got my M2 back from Peter at CRR - full service about £175 it obviously depends a bit on what needs repairing in the shutter

Chris
 
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My M3 was £219 but he had to fix the wind mechanism and repair some vulcanite. He also fettled my old Summaron as a freebie. 2 week turnaround.
 
I too ended up with an M4-2 as my first ever Leica, off a gentleman here on RFF. I've had it for 4 days and not yet taken as much as a picture with it. Apprehensive is the word. I have however fondled it quite a bit. Not having handled many M's in the past I rather think it both looks and feels good. The main gripe as to fit and finish is the rear swing out panel being less than substantial. Viewfinder is beautifully bright and uncluttered, its got a nice heft, nice advance lever, nice shutter actuation (though not silent). Should prove fun when I muster the guts to try it out in earnest. 😉
 
I want an M4 but would be interested in "deleting" the self timer. Is this easy to do? Anyone who is picky about silly little things willing to say that it isn't as annoying as it seems like it would be?
 
Ezzie, the door sometimes has a bit of play in it if you press it in against the casing - my M5 has this. I loved the M4-2 fitted with a black tabbed Summicron. I bought one on my travels in the '80s and never babied it and took it everywhere, without a case or half case, and never put a mark on it. It's tougher than you are! Go outside and stop worrying about. Great camera.
 
Ezzie said:
I too ended up with an M4-2 as my first ever Leica, off a gentleman here on RFF. I've had it for 4 days and not yet taken as much as a picture with it. Apprehensive is the word. I have however fondled it quite a bit. Not having handled many M's in the past I rather think it both looks and feels good. The main gripe as to fit and finish is the rear swing out panel being less than substantial. Viewfinder is beautifully bright and uncluttered, its got a nice heft, nice advance lever, nice shutter actuation (though not silent). Should prove fun when I muster the guts to try it out in earnest. 😉
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A fine camera like this is meant to be used.
Go out and shoot a roll already!

Btw, there is no play on my M4-P. But as long as it doesn't actually shift around exposing the film on the back, who cares?
 
Thanks. The downside of 135 is of course the number of frames before you can empty the camera, develop the film and evaluate the results. Being used to 12 on 120 for the last year is a bit of a pain. 😉
 
Assuming you are looking to take pictures then I'd suggest you get a good user M4. I've owned both an M4-2 and an M4. My M4-2 was always a shooter and although it worked well enough for this it always left the impression of being a little bit on the crude side compared to the M2 and M3 that I'd previously had - kind of unsatifactory if you know what I mean. If I had to put it down to anything it would be that the mechanics felt a bit coarse, particulary the film transport - and this was on a camera CLA'd by Leica. My M4 on the other hand is nice and smooth - a pleasure to use. My only gripe? The M4 is such a pretty thing that I'm loathe to take it out as much as I could.
 
I've actually seen a M4, but I've never touched one. I was assured it was a perfect specimen.

I have owned a M2 since 1980 and I've used it extensively. It only had a CLA last year and it is still a great little camera. It has been around. I like to take cameras like the Leicas when I hike in the mountains. They are light weight and not battery dependent.

I bought my (brass) M4-P new, about 1986 and have beat the hell out of it. Yes, the fit and finish is not up to the standards of the M2. Big deal.

If you want a camera to look at then I'm afraid I can't help, but if you want a camera to use I'd look for a M2, M4-2, or a M4-P.
 
Just purchased a lovely M4-2 from a member here (thanks, Bob!). For all the bad press about this being a "cheapened" M, this particular camera is as smooth as my M2, and the VF is bright and clear. Here's to Canadian Leicas!
 
YOu got Bob's M4-2, Steve? Lucky man... It looked pretty and clean.

BTW, I'm now another satisfied M4-2 owner. Funny to see a post of mine admitting that back then I was looking for either an M4-2 or an M4-P.

BTW, mine was revived by Don Goldberg. It's still one of my favs, despite the presence of my two M5 bodies.
 
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