M4 current prices

[Tom R]

I bought an M4P a few months ago for a lot less than an M4 would have cost. I sent it off to YYE for a refresh. The M4P can do everything an M4 can do, after all (and a little more).

Especially if you use speed lights

 

[Rob-F]

Especially if you use speed lights

I'm not sure I understand. M2, M3, M4, M5 all have electronic flash synch.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

I'm not sure I understand. M2, M3, M4, M5 all have electronic flash synch.

I took it to mean the hot shoe the M4-P provides.

 

[dourbalistar]

I'm not sure I understand. M2, M3, M4, M5 all have electronic flash synch.

The M2/M3/M4 all have flash synch, but if I'm not mistaken, they are all via sync port. The M4-2, M4-P, and M5 have hot shoes.

 

[valdas]

My M4 has finally arrived. In fact, I was wrong about the lens - it was 50mm DR. I guess 1650 EUR for the combo is quite ok price. M4 looks good, I cannot see any issues just by inspecting it. HP5 is loaded and will test now both camera and DR Summicron against my V4 tabbed Summicron...

 

[Tom R]

I'm not sure I understand. M2, M3, M4, M5 all have electronic flash synch.

Yes, they certainly do. I used them for thirty plus years. Having a hot shoe makes working with more "modern" units easier ... perhaps I should have stated that outright. Specifically, I am thinking of how much easier it is to mount a transmitter, such as a Photix unit, on a hot shoe and not mess with cables, etc.

On that subject, IIRC I had to acquire some kind of adapters for the plugs on the rear of my M2 (or was it M3?) to use even the older Vivitar 283/285 units back in the day ... ?

 

[logan2z]

FWIW, I bought my M4 two years ago from Ken Hansen for $1175. It was in terrific shape, although I had it CLA'd by YYE since the service history was unknown. Prices have definitely gone up since, but the M6 has skyrocketed. I haven't seen a decent one for less than $3000 in a long while.

Re: Camera West, that was mentioned in this thread. They are definitely legit (the owner also owns the Leica Store in San Francisco), but I've had mixed experiences when dealing with their internet sales person who is in the Rancho Mirage location. Not very responsive either before or after sales. They do often have some decent stuff, though. I've visited the Walnut Creek location in person and the people there are friendly and knowledgeable.