Leica M4 Trainer?

[chuckroast]

.traded it for another M4.

I am unquestionably a strange person, but the M4 never feels quite right to me. Maybe because mine is so clean and perfect I don't want to push it hard. I've love my M2 and IIIf for their utility and value and the M5 because it's such an innovative piece of machinery, but the M4 always seems kind of clinical in use. Maybe I need to get it out in the elements and scratch it up some ...

 

[agentlossing]

Thanks for the input. Just pulled the eBay trigger on a Canon 7 with the Canon 50mm f/1.4 from Japan. Touted as near mint and the seller has a 100% rating $300 shipped. Fingers crossed. Now gotta figure out what kind of film I want; probably black and white to start.

Good choice!

 

[38Deardorff]

I am unquestionably a strange person, but the M4 never feels quite right to me. Maybe because mine is so clean and perfect I don't want to push it hard. I've love my M2 and IIIf for their utility and value and the M5 because it's such an innovative piece of machinery, but the M4 always seems kind of clinical in use. Maybe I need to get it out in the elements and scratch it up some ...

To me, any new camera feels like a new pair of jeans... a little stiff & not fitting right. A little wear makes it all better. I think this one felt clinical in use back in 1968.....now not so much 😉

 

[chuckroast]

To me, any new camera feels like a new pair of jeans... a little stiff & not fitting right. A little wear makes it all better. I think this one felt clinical in use back in 1968.....now not so much 😉

I am an engineer by profession. It both pleases me that this machine has served so well and for so long, but it hurts my heart to look at this picture...

 

[38Deardorff]

I am an engineer by profession. It both pleases me that this machine has served so well and for so long, but it hurts my heart to look at this picture...

In my opinion, like musical instruments, favoured tools over time show the marks of being used..... Nothing makes me sadder than seeing photos of 60 year old Nikon Fs or Leicas that haven't seen a roll of film.

 

[Glenn2]

The chrome M4's didn't show wear quite as much as the black paint ones, only a little brass that's barely noticeable. Started with a pair of M3's, wanted the wider .72 finder, ended up with a pair of M4's which I still have. In late sixties bought the first one used followed shortly by the second bought new. Tried an M5 and it wasn't a fit, couldn't use my 21mm SA and the size didn't feel right, or the end strap arrangement. After using the pair of M4's on my first India trip in 1970, switched to inexpensive Barnacks that I could abuse and not worry about. Finally on last India trip in 2012 took a single M4 and an X-100. A good pair.

Here's the M4 twins posing with 21mm SA, 90mm TE, and rare 50mm "blue dot" Summicron as well as Ikophot meter.
Look closely at the flash shoe and you can see the spring thingy I made to prevent finder loss.

Glenn

 

[PRJ]

Thanks for the input. Just pulled the eBay trigger on a Canon 7 with the Canon 50mm f/1.4 from Japan. Touted as near mint and the seller has a 100% rating $300 shipped. Fingers crossed. Now gotta figure out what kind of film I want; probably black and white to start.

Canon 7's are way underrated. I use the two I own more than my M3. The Canon 50mm 1.4 is a pretty fantastic lens too. It isn't called the Japanese Summilux for nothing. $300 for the pair is a steal. I think you will really enjoy the camera and you can always move to a Leica if you find rangefinders are for you and you want to scratch that Leica itch.

 

[agentlossing]

To me, any new camera feels like a new pair of jeans... a little stiff & not fitting right. A little wear makes it all better. I think this one felt clinical in use back in 1968.....now not so much 😉View attachment 4870643

You have to stop posting these awesome M4 portraits... I'm having a hard time with them...

 

[chuckroast]

You have to stop posting these awesome M4 portraits... I'm having a hard time with them...

There, there. You can look at this - I did not include my M4 and I no longer have that collapsible 'cron - it's been replaced with a Color-Skopar. HTH ...

 

[38Deardorff]

You have to stop posting these awesome M4 portraits... I'm having a hard time with them...

I wish I still had my original black paint Leica M2....or even a photo of it.... that was GAS inducing camera!

 

[Darthfeeble]

I won't recommend a camera, that's up to you. Are your eyes good? Very good? I just sold my M10 that I intended to be buried with, my eyes while able to pass a driver's test are becoming difficult to get a really sharp focus.

 

[JeffS7444]

Thanks for the input. Just pulled the eBay trigger on a Canon 7 with the Canon 50mm f/1.4 from Japan. Touted as near mint and the seller has a 100% rating $300 shipped. Fingers crossed. Now gotta figure out what kind of film I want; probably black and white to start.

If it's been more than a few years since you've shot with film, that alone should be an adventure! As for the Leica M4: Good camera, but aside from rare variations and minty collector-grade items, prices have actually fallen somewhat since the 1990s, along with M2 and M3, so you needn't rush to purchase one.