M4 black paint

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viboons

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I decided to come back to M film and bought a M3 last week. I prefer 2 cameras complement and also back up for each other, M3 for 50 and 90 and M4 for 35. I got offers today 2 M4 black paint, one with ware and brassing and some missing leatherlette for USD. 4,500 and another almost mint L seal with very little brassing for USD. 5,700. Both work well with contrasty accurate rangefinder.

Which one would you guy think a better buy? Are the prices too high?
 
The intact L seal isn't a big selling point, since it really should have had a CLA by now! I would not worry about the brassing. It just adds character! It's going to get brassed anyway; you are going to use it, right? So if the cheaper one has had a CLA within the past few years, and it isn't dented and merely has some vulcanite missing, I would take that one and spend the difference on film.
 
I'd get the more beatup M4 as well, especially given the price difference. As long as it's not too badly beaten up and you can live with it, then I'd go that route. But, it's your $ and your camera. I will say that my own black paint M4 gets used plenty and I like the little dings and dents it has and with the brassing it just makes the whole camera look gorgeous.


With the spike in M6 prices,most, if not all M bodies have only gone up and up, so that's a tougher debate on a good deal. All of the black paint editions have skyrocketed as well, and will likely stay high, so if you've got the money, I'd go for it. Likely you won't find a whole lot better deals.
 
ktm, You got one heck of a deal on your anniversary M4. You won't find a nice one on line for $3k. As Jordan said prices on scarce items are skyrocketing and there are fewer black paint models out there. Even the specialty shops like The Leica Shop Vienna, Setadel Studios & Tamarkin have none in stock of either M4 BP or 50yr Anniversary.
 
ktmrider said:
Get the mint. Then all the brassing is from your use. I just paid $3000 for a mint black chrome 50th anniversary edition M4 so $5700 seems a bit high.
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Thanks ktmrider

I have got offered 50 Jahre mint with box and paper for the similar price of the heavy used M4 black paint, USD. 4,600. It seem like my local price is higher than yours. The 50 Jarhe may be a better buy. However; I had M8 and still have M9 and I like the look of my brassing M9 than my wared out M8.
 
Rob-F said:
The intact L seal isn't a big selling point, since it really should have had a CLA by now! I would not worry about the brassing. It just adds character! It's going to get brassed anyway; you are going to use it, right? So if the cheaper one has had a CLA within the past few years, and it isn't dented and merely has some vulcanite missing, I would take that one and spend the difference on film.
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Thanks Rob-F

I am going to use it. It's USD. 1,200 saving. I heard that this M4 was once owned by a local journalist but not a very famous one with Pulitzer Prize. It must had some hard years. I will get it checked whether it can serve me for years with out big trouble.
 
slantface said:
I'd get the more beatup M4 as well, especially given the price difference. As long as it's not too badly beaten up and you can live with it, then I'd go that route. But, it's your $ and your camera. I will say that my own black paint M4 gets used plenty and I like the little dings and dents it has and with the brassing it just makes the whole camera look gorgeous.


With the spike in M6 prices,most, if not all M bodies have only gone up and up, so that's a tougher debate on a good deal. All of the black paint editions have skyrocketed as well, and will likely stay high, so if you've got the money, I'd go for it. Likely you won't find a whole lot better deals.
Click to expand...

Thanks slantface

I like the look of black paint and another reason is the less number of M4 black paint were manufactured may hold the value better.
 
Purchased the mint 50th anniversary M4 from Sam Shohan at Classic Connection last October. I go back and forth between the M2 and the M4 being my favorite film M. The M2 viewfinder is killer if you can live with 35/50/90. But I like the modern film loading and rewind of the M4. I have a MP240 with the black paint and it is starting to brass nicely as well. I doubt if any of us who were doing photography back in the 1960's-1970's would ever have guessed brassing might actually add to the price of a camera.

Now, I have too many film cameras as I also bought a 1952 (birth year) 3f with collapsible 50 Summicron just a month before the M4. And I have been leaving the M cameras at home and just carrying the 3f since it is so unique. Have had more comments on it than any of the film M's. I would probably keep the M4 and sell the M2.

And all Leica film camera prices have gone nuts. I guess we old dudes know a thing or two. Leica's are probably a better investment than the stock market. Usually I buy stuff and it depreciates except a Rolex purchased in 1980 for $320 and since it is a rare edition, I have been told it is worth over $10000 today.
 
ktmrider said:
Purchased the mint 50th anniversary M4 from Sam Shohan at Classic Connection last October. I go back and forth between the M2 and the M4 being my favorite film M. The M2 viewfinder is killer if you can live with 35/50/90. But I like the modern film loading and rewind of the M4. I have a MP240 with the black paint and it is starting to brass nicely as well. I doubt if any of us who were doing photography back in the 1960's-1970's would ever have guessed brassing might actually add to the price of a camera.

Now, I have too many film cameras as I also bought a 1952 (birth year) 3f with collapsible 50 Summicron just a month before the M4. And I have been leaving the M cameras at home and just carrying the 3f since it is so unique. Have had more comments on it than any of the film M's. I would probably keep the M4 and sell the M2.

And all Leica film camera prices have gone nuts. I guess we old dudes know a thing or two. Leica's are probably a better investment than the stock market. Usually I buy stuff and it depreciates except a Rolex purchased in 1980 for $320 and since it is a rare edition, I have been told it is worth over $10000 today.
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ktmrider, my past purchases were similar to yours.

M2 is also in my list if a good one pass by but will spend the money only for the chrome one.
 
Thanks for you all. Your comments help me decide on this purchase. I have just bought M4 black paint this afternoon. Will start enjoy shooting from this weekend.
 
viboons said:
Thanks for you all. Your comments help me decide on this purchase. I have just bought M4 black paint this afternoon. Will start enjoy shooting from this weekend.
Click to expand...

Congratulations viboons! Now go wear that thing out. They weren't meant to be shelf queens.
 
Rob-F said:
Wear it out? I have had my M2 for 60 years, and haven't worn it out yet!
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Rob, I was referring to the paint job! Everyone knows film Leicas don't wear out. 😎

51272614488_0eacabe1b0.jpg
 
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