Ronald M
Veteran
Early M4 P will have brass tops. Later ones the zinc top like the M6 Flush windows are zinc.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
I seem to remember that the switchover from brass to zinc was around #1600 000 - though I have seen later ones with brass top.
One interesting piece of trivia, The M4P and the M6 was in production at the same time (for about a year). Leica "pricing" of the M6 was initially based on what a M4P with a MR meter would cost + about $100 (around $16-1700) with the late M4P's and MR Meter coming in at about $1500.
There are some rarer version of the M4P - the very late chrome ones with a single flash connector (zinc top plate) and of course the usual "special" like the 70 year anniversary model - engraved 1913 -1973 (and a few that was done at the factory "by mistake" - engraved 1813 - 1973 - known as the Napoleonic M4P).
One interesting piece of trivia, The M4P and the M6 was in production at the same time (for about a year). Leica "pricing" of the M6 was initially based on what a M4P with a MR meter would cost + about $100 (around $16-1700) with the late M4P's and MR Meter coming in at about $1500.
There are some rarer version of the M4P - the very late chrome ones with a single flash connector (zinc top plate) and of course the usual "special" like the 70 year anniversary model - engraved 1913 -1973 (and a few that was done at the factory "by mistake" - engraved 1813 - 1973 - known as the Napoleonic M4P).
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
I have an M4-P and love it. The real difference IMO is the built in meter which can go wrong on the M6.
maggieo
More Deadly
I ADORE my M4-P and, improbably, it's smoother and quieter than my M2, which kind of amazes, but nonetheless delights.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Thank you, Roland and Robert.
Vince, I think I got it while rummaging through $1 box at the camera show. No idea who made it. You like it?
Ouch, sorry, Chris.
wrightbrain
Member
If you go with an M6 classic or an M4-P the shutter speed dial will be backward from your TTL. On the classic the shutter speed dial goes the opposit direction that the arrow in the viewfinder is pointing when your are searching for exposure. Also cost is a factor an M4-P is about half the price of an M6 for the same camera sans meter. I guess the collectors aren't interested in them. You can usually find an M4-P for less money than an M2.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
In which case you remove the batteries and are now holding an M4-P.
notraces
Bob Smith
A little more M4-P history:
http://www.cameraquest.com/m4pm6.htm
My M4-P is just over 1606Xxx - has the brass top plate. I sold my first one, but really missed having a meter-less M6, so I bought another in beautiful condition. Fun camera.
http://www.cameraquest.com/m4pm6.htm
My M4-P is just over 1606Xxx - has the brass top plate. I sold my first one, but really missed having a meter-less M6, so I bought another in beautiful condition. Fun camera.