M4-2 misconceptions

[Bill Clark]

I have a M4-2 and it works like a charm.

Took it on a trip to Hawaii and made some nice photographs, M4-2 and one lens, a 50 Summarit.

 

[micromoogman]

Myth or not, my first M4-2 had shutter bounce straight out of the box.
And like I said in 2011, it was fixed under warranty by Leitz, as a brand new camera should.

If it's not properly adjusted it will bounce, that goes for any M camera.

 

[xayraa33]

If it's not properly adjusted it will bounce, that goes for any M camera.

Yes I know that, It should have been properly adjusted before it left the factory, like all the other adjustments that need to be checked before the body is shipped.

Mine was from a batch that were not properly adjusted, as shutter bounce was a problem on many M4-2s in that serial number range.

 

[Erik van Straten]

all M's are great apart from M5's

I beg your pardon?

Erik.

 

[Lauffray]

Wow, old thread indeed. I should mention, as the OP, that I ended up buying and using that M4-2 as a backup for over a year and it worked just fine. Stupid Leica version myths be damned

 

[Richard G]

M4-2 thought process 1: It's a black chrome overly labeled non-German Canadian-made cheap version of an M4-2 inferiorly specced and manufactured in desperation to rescue Leitz: just not a real Leica if you really want the authentic German Leica experience.

M4-2 thought process 2: It's a Leica. Made in Canada in a golden era of lens design in that country under Walter Mandler; a wonderful and reliable and discrete and versatile tool, perfectly balanced with the legendary v4 black tabbed Canadian 50 Summicron.

Be proud of your all-Canadian genius rig that will last as many decades as the cameras of those saps who can't go past the boring M3 with its perifenestral bumps, quaint 50mm frame line corners and ancient rewind mechanism. Leitz v Ernst Leitz GmbH.

 

[nobbylon]

I beg your pardon?

Erik.

the ugly duckling,
the camera that nearly finished it all,
as big as a house,
need I go on
hahahaha
j

 

[splitimageview]

what these camera were like when they left the factory pales in comparison to how well they have been used/maintained or abused over the last 35-40 years.

 

[xayraa33]

what these camera were like when they left the factory pales in comparison to how well they have been used/maintained or abused over the last 35-40 years.

They still are great cameras even now after all these years once their teething problems were sorted out so many decades ago when new.

I still used them and will never get rid of them because they still serve me well.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Few years ago I was reading this thread while on searching for my first affordable film M.
And many other forums and articles.

My M4-2 doesn't need backup and when it will go for CLA, I'll have couple of non-Leica RF cameras to use anyway.
Sure, I want to buy another Canadian Leica, not for backup, but just because they are beautiful and true workhorses.

 

[nobbylon]

my TWO Fav M's
are the Two Misrepresented Black Sheeps...

The M4-2 & M5 win my Heart ❤️
M4-2 sleek & sexy, no Red dot, BIG framelines just 35,50, 90
M5 BIG Shutter Speed Dial, Shutter speed reading in VF, retro sexy needle meter ... no stinking red blinking lights, Solid to keep your hands Steady, Big Framelines as well

love this about the M5. Some like the fact it's as big as a house obviously.
I suppose it's ok as long as your pockets are really BIG

 

[Huss]

love this about the M5. Some like the fact it's as big as a house obviously.
I suppose it's ok as long as your pockets are really BIG

Hard to take pics when a camera is in your pocket


Keep it out and keep it ready. The size of the M5 gives u more to grab to capture that once in a life time Pulitzer prize winning shot...

No fiddling around with a smaller body, trying to adjust a tiny shutter speed dial, wondering whether you have exposed that back lit scene correctly..

 

[nobbylon]

And here's me constantly listening to everyone rave about how compact and unobtrusive rangefinders are!

 

[BLKRCAT]

Have you even used an M5 for more than 30 seconds or have you done too much internet reading?

Do you complain that the digital leicas are too fat? Do you think any DSLRs are "as big as a house" too?

sigh...

 

[nobbylon]

Me thinks some of you are taking my comments a little too seriously.
Don't take it personally.
Never used one, no wish to and hence my comments are restricted to the looks and size!
I'd prefer my M9P to be as thin as my M4 but it's only a fraction bigger.
Oh and yes my D3 and F5 were as big as houses hence the reason I kept the D700 and acquired an F6

 

[Erik van Straten]

the ugly duckling,
the camera that nearly finished it all,

The camera that finished the M5 was the CL. The CL was their biggest mistake.

The quality of the M5 is a class above the other M's.

Because of its quality and low production quantity Leitz suffered a loss of DM 1.000 on each sold M5.

Erik.

 

[David Hughes]

The camera that finished the M5 was the CL. The CL was their biggest mistake.

The quality of the M5 is a class above the other M's.

Because of its quality and low production quantity Leitz suffered a loss of DM 1.000 on each sold M5.

Erik.

Can't agree about the CL but I'm thinking about the minilux...

The CL introduced a lot of us to the Leica and the lenses, even though it only had the two available (40 and 90mm) it started something with me.

Regards, David

 

[Erik van Straten]

The CL introduced a lot of us to the Leica

Maybe it did, but it also kept a lot of people from buying an M5. Leitz did not profit from the CL. It was Minolta who did.

Regards,

Erik.

 

[Robert Lai]

For what it's worth, I too just bought an M4-2 from a fellow RFF member here. I sent it to DAG for an overhaul, not because it seems to need it, but I do this routinely with any purchase. I've had too many of these old cameras (M2, M3, M5, even M7) need some adjustment. So now I send it to Don, so I don't have to worry if there will be a problem with the camera.

The framelines are indeed bigger than the view through my M7's finder. Only the inclusion of the 135mm frame causes a doubling up of framelines.

The winding seems as smooth as my M7, and my other M cameras.

If people keep wanting to believe that the M4-2 is "bad" in some way, then it'll keep the prices down for those of us who want to use them for picture taking.

I do like the M5 also. It handles very well. I'm speaking as one who owns one, not just reading about it on the internet.

Also, from what I've read, it was the failure of the Leicaflex line to catch fire in terms of sales that nearly killed Leica. Leica was about to go "all in" on the SLR line and cease rangefinder production. They bet the house on the SLR and lost. It was only the urging of the Canadians that kept the RF alive. The M4-2 is the rangefinder that kept the company alive as a camera manufacturer. It surely deserves some respect for that.

 

[Erik van Straten]

They bet the house on the SLR and lost.

That was a stupid move too. There were great Japanese SLR's, but there was no Japanese M5. The Japanese killed the M5 effectively with the CL. They've beaten the competition with it's own means.

Erik.