M4-2 arrived!

[laptoprob]

Very quickly after the auction the camera arrived.
Relatively early number, shortly before 154000. I could not see any difference in brightness of finder or frames, compared to the M2. The flare because of the condensor removal must be in later models, lucky me!
The camera is well used. Superficial dents here and there, nothing serious. Vulcanite is repaired everywhere. The black chrome is to say it politely, aged. The edges of the bottom plate are chromed, not brassed.
The black chrome is the same as on the CLE.
Rangefinder looks OK, checked with a SLR focussing screen. Only the vertical has to be aligned, easy.
In the picture the lettering looks completely white but it isn't. All lettering is faded, polluted or partly missing.
A black wax seal without 'L' is in place. Use and service must have been professional.

So what colour should the leather be?

 

[-vin-]

mmmh, you probably should let that ugly M2 go! it would feel offended near that m4-2. 🙂

 

[xayraa33]

nice camera Rob, M4-2's are under valued in the Leica world, a good thing for shooters. they are a real work horse.
new black leather from Aki will make it even more sharp looking.

 

[Mohan]

I love my M4-2, Mines a really early one (1460000) marked with both Leitz Wetzlar and "made in Canada", could anyone in the know tell me how many M4-2's where marked like this? I presume its pretty rare but not valuable because of the bad reputation of early M4-2's.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... could anyone in the know tell me how many M4-2's where marked like this?

2000 M4-2 cameras are stamped "Leitz Wetzlar." It is interesting to note there are three variations of this version.

1. "Made in Canada" engraved on the top cover above the hot shoe (this one is the most common);
2. "Made by Leitz Canada" engraved on the back of the top cover (near the "X" flash sync; and
3. "Canada" engraved on the back of the top cover (under the advance lever).

In spite of its reputation, I have found these do get a premium (but no more than about 15%) over the most common M4-2 stamped "Leitz" and engraved "Canada" on the back of the top cover.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Correction: the M4-2 cameras starting with sr. #146xxxx are pre-production models and only numbers (1468001-1468100) are recorded - I have seen a number of others in the 146xxxx range.

The 2000 cameras referenced above stamped "Leitz Wetzlar" are numbered 1480001-1482000.

 

[laptoprob]

Well, mine is the more common 'Leitz' on top and 'CANADA' on the back beneath the wind lever.
I don't think the camera will get a black dress because the metal might be less black than the leather.

 

[laptoprob]

Another Lady in Red

Another Lady in Red

Aki was kind enough to send me a backpiece without hole. Wine Snake Red it's called. Perfect for a black body.
The pics are made in the sun. A little better than the digicam flash. The skin is a little darker in reality.

I'm happy!

 

[Mohan]

2000 M4-2 cameras are stamped "Leitz Wetzlar." It is interesting to note there are three variations of this version.

1. "Made in Canada" engraved on the top cover above the hot shoe (this one is the most common);
2. "Made by Leitz Canada" engraved on the back of the top cover (near the "X" flash sync; and
3. "Canada" engraved on the back of the top cover (under the advance lever).

In spite of its reputation, I have found these do get a premium (but no more than about 15%) over the most common M4-2 stamped "Leitz" and engraved "Canada" on the back of the top cover.

Hi, Thanks for the Help! Mine must be one of the unrecorded ones (1468394) marked with "made in Canada" above the hotshoe, I think I read somewhere that it's from the first week of M4-2 production. Despite the bad reputation mine works beautifully, and apart from the lack of the pretty engravings of old, the fit and finish seems on par with the M2 I used to have!