M4-P: Any particular weaknesses/idiosyncracies?

[djnato10]

I had an M4-P as my first Leica. After picking up an M6 I sold it and immediately regret it. For some reason my M4-P felt more solid than either M6 I currently have. Not having to worry about the meter was nice though not a definitive buying point as you don't need batteries in the M6's anyways. The finder glass didn't seem as clear to me but the framelines did seem brighter on the M4-P that began my addiction.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The framelines may be brighter because Leica removed a condenser from that area in order to cut production costs for the M4-2 and the M4-P (both made in Canada).

BTW, I have both Canadian bodies and I like them both. The M4-P that I purchased does have a slightly fogged looking viewfinder when you look at it, but it is perfectly usable when you look through it. I've been thinking about sending it for a check up (NOT a CLA), but since I haven't had any issues and the VF is clean, I haven't.

I find this body lighter than the M4. And since it has additional framelines, I use it with a 28mm lens. Don't sweat problems that aren't there; the Canadian cameras were extraordinarily well made, so you can just load them and use them and enjoy every minute of them.

 

[robbeiflex]

Why CLA every camera? if it ain't broke, leave alone!
Leica M are built for the long haul.
Sure i serviced, when shutter fell apart, Rf totally screwed,
strap lugs pulled out.. Many services over many years use.
M3 is 50 years in service, mostly heavy pro work.😀

Right now, Light Leak when I change lenses,
Waste a frame, cheaper than Major service.

Use, use and ENJOY.
PS. My Pentaxes NEVER have needed service..😀

Fully agree. Cycle it through the speeds a couple of things to make sure lubricants are doing their job, then run a test film. Only spend money and risk further issues if the speeds or focusing are off. Done it twice on used Ms and I’m 50/50 on actually needing a CLA.

Cheers,
Rob


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Huss]

The first and worst is that the flash sync port tended to break. The metal external port was screwed into a plastic block inside the camera. Perhaps the plastic was to stop shorting from the current but in any event it could degrade over time. When the plastic block broke, the sync port could drop off. More of a cosmetic issue unless you use flash....
The second issue I think a few others also reported as being an issue is that there seemed to be some kind of outgassing inside the top cover of the rangefinder housing which fogged the viewfinder over time. Easily fixed by a repairer and again just a nuisance.

I had both these happen with my M4-2. I bought sync cover caps to make it look cleaner, and the first thing that happened was that they snagged on my sweater and snapped off! I glued them back in but now make sure not to use the cover caps, which provided the means of being snagged on something.
Also had the hazing, but that was easily cleaned.

That being said, this camera is a nice to use as any of my other Ms.
Personally my favourite viewfinders are on the M4 and M4-2, as they are not cluttered up by 28, 75 etc frame lines that I would not use.

 

[x-ray]

Impure zinc that bubbles under plating. Not every one has it , but if clean now probably ok now.

The top on my camera is brass. I think the only zinc tops were the cameras with the M6 VF window design.

As to a fresh CLA for every camera, I never had a cleaning done unless it needed it and never had a problem with my cameras.

My philosophy, I'll only have a CLA done if needed but let everyone else have one done so when they get bored and sell their camera at a loss it'll be in good shape for me.

 

[F456]

Thank you for your input on the M4-P

Thank you for your input on the M4-P

Thanks, everyone: as always very useful and knowledgeable replies and, yes, I am a fan of all the Canadian-made bodies - and a lot of the Midland lenses too.

All points taken and useful to know about the plastic block for the M and X ports. The viewfinder shows no sign of haze at all though I do remember seeing one on a similar M4-P years ago that had a brownish stain in one corner which I took for mould - probably I was wrong about that.

I have married the camera up to a post-1979 version Summicron 50mm - the one with the current glass, the focusing tab with the lens focusing ring attachment base that goes out each side beyond the prongs of the tab, and the detachable hood. I can see my similar era Summilux 35mm going on there as well.

I will not bother with servicing till it's needed. I only once NEEDED a service on an M camera and it was when the shutter brake failed, leaving me with incomplete frame exposures. The other time I had one was for an old M3 picked up unused after forty years that still worked fine, but when it came back it was a dream - so good that my M6 felt as crude by comparison as a WW2 Soviet sub-machine gun.

On the subject of the 28mm and 75mm frame lines I have a 28mm and generally use it with the detachable 28mm finder anyway, plastic one I'm afraid, and I did have a Summilux 75mm and as so often could kick myself for having sold it, as it did the business very nicely at low light concerts in the cathedral crypt and for make up shots before drama performances. I never found the minimalist 75mm frame lines a problem for that kind of photography. So I am happy to have the full three pairs of frame lines in case I have the chance and the cash to retrieve a 75mm later - after all it was Dr Mandler's reputed favourite M design!

When I work out how to upload images here as I am only an occasional visitor when I need information I will do so. Tom