M4-2 - A sad legend?

[eric rose]

It's an urban legend created by "made in Germany" snobs.

 

[George S.]

It's an urban legend created by "made in Germany" snobs.

Exactly. I've had 3 M4-Ps through the years (many thanks to Bill for my present one) and all have been smooth as butter, all made in Canada. Even my IIIG of 1957 vintage - I recently discovered was made in Canada, so Leica has been doing that longer than some of us realize. The IIIG operates sooo smoothly and accurately that it should be illegal to enjoy a camera so much.

 

[Jbig]

M4-2 Gets Lotsa Use

M4-2 Gets Lotsa Use

My M4-2 gets steady use and is works beautifully. It has one of the early viewfinders with the extra prism doohickie that supposedly was removed in later production and through M6s. I never get flare with this camera's viewfinder and actually do sometimes get it with an M6. Seems M4-2 no matter how much people remark about construction continues to perform beautifully and smoothly. Based on prices, they're holding onto their value but that's not a reason to buy. Good Luck.

 

[xayraa33]

So really the OP title is very wrong, there is nothing sad about the M4-2.
I would say it is the RFFers legend of a camera.
but we will keep that amongst ourselves.

 

[HenningW]

I suspect that natural selection has by now got rid of the dogs and the surviving M4-2's will be excellent users. I have a very battered M4-P with a light leak from what someone has done to the rear door. But it still works very well indeed with a good clear viewfinder and quiet accurate shutter. M4's have this reputation for being the last "proper" Leica. As a result M2's and M4-2's/M4-P's are relative bargains. Long may it continue. You won't regret buying one.

I got an M4-2 to go along with the M4's I had at the time to replace the M5 that I never got along with (and that couldn't take Fuji film).

The first one had a shutter that jammed and was replaced. The second one got smashed on rocks, along with a 35 Summicron after a strap eyelet that hadn't been riveted properly let go. The third one lasted for a year or so, but I never really trusted it as the rangefinder tended to go out of alignment very easily and I never felt comfortable carrying it on a strap. So I sold it and got another M4.

So #1 and #3 might still be out there after some CLA, but #2 won't surface again. Good riddance.

Henning

 

[rolopix]

When I decided to get back into shooting with rangefinders, the first Leica I got was a clean, used M4-2 and a Canadian (Ver. 3) Summicron. The viewfinder window was fogged (fairly common), so I sent it off for a CLA. Although the person who repaired it said the M4-2 was the worst RF camera Leica ever made, it came back working fine and continued to do so for the next couple of years until I sold it for an M6.

Why? Because I wanted the built-in meter.

The M4-2 was the first Leica RF with the cheapened rangefinder that will flare out in bright and backlit situations. This fault was finally rectified with the MP. DAG will drop an MP finder in your M4-2, M4-P, or M6 for a little less than $200. It may actually be a tad cheaper if you have it done with a CLA, I don't know.

Considering the prices for M6 bodies these days, an M4-P, unless really cheap, doesn't make sense to me. An M4-P is essentially a meterless M6. If you're thinking M4-P 'cause you don't want/need a meter, get a good user M6 and take the battery out.

🙂

Otherwise, you're on the right track: get an M4-2, make sure it works properly, and go burn through a mountain of film. You'll love it.

 

[Wetzlarfan]

I bought a practically new M4-2 in 1982. When I called Leica in 1983 to see if I should have it modifed or checked in any way in order to carry it on Mt McKinley where the temperature could drop to -20F, they said nothing was necessary. It performed beautifully and still does today. I used it with a clip-on Leica meter and Kodachrome 25. Every shot came out spot on (It only got down to -10F). I used it regularly until I got an M6 in the middle ninties. (I took the M6 to MN in the winter and it froze up when the temperature reached -5F, but that's another story.)