M4-P what are your thoughts?

Got my M4-P about 15 years ago to replace a worn-out M2 someone offered me far too much money for. No regrets. Having six framelines is nice and don't miss the meter.
 
First Leica I ever had new; roughest Leica I've ever used; 75mm 'frames' are almost totally inadequate corners.
Click to expand...

Ditto here, silver chrome first non-commemorative version w/ brass top plate. Worked wonderfully. Was the first Leica I had with the modified finder before there was a world wide web for everyone to complain about finder "flare" so I just kept my eye aligned and it wasn't a problem. ;)

A good camera - would buy it again.
 
I just bought one (last week) brand new in the box. It has been sitting in its box since 1979. I put a roll of 12 through it at its 12 shutter speeds and all exposures were prefect. I bought it to resell since I got it at a ridiculous price but now have decided I will keep it. A nice compliment to my 84 vintage Wetzlar M6.

I had a well used (but not abused) M4-P about 9 years ago and sold it for some stupid reason that I soon after regretted. Now I have a new M4-P for a lower price than I paid for a well used M4-P 9 years ago.
 
I recently swapped a d200 + 18-200vr for a cosmetically poor m4p yet mechanically perfect M4P. Just got my first roll of tmax 400 back and am very happy with the results (though I might have to start home developing as it cost an arm an' leg for development + prints). Quick question, at what distance are the framelines optimized for ? By that, I mean at what point are they most accurate. Any general Leica tips for achieving more accurate framing?? Would love to hear about them !

PS: To all you people going on about ugly black chrome finish on the M4P, Leica's are a tool not a fashion statement!

edit: just noticed someone else mentioned that they are most accurate at approx. 3 metres

PPS: Don't hesitate, go get yourself an M4-P !!1!
 
Bought mine brand new in 1984 with 50 summmicron. I`ve just had it CLA`d & what a revelation, the viewfinder is so clear & contrasty, leaves my poor old Yashicas for dead. If you have the chance to buy a clean one, get it, you wont regret it.
 
tekst said:
... Don't hesitate, go get yourself an M4-P !!1!
Click to expand...
I'll second that! Especially if you think it's a bargain.

I have an M4-P, you see it in my avatar. It's the only Leica I own, or have ever owned, so I have little to compare it to. The mechanics are smooth, the finder is clear, the RF rectangle is easy to see, the frame lines are accurate, it's sturdy, easy to load, and looks good. And there is no need for, indeed no place for a battery.

I don't know why people say the black finish is ugly. Mine is a nice matte finish, with some very slight, shiny metal spots at a few of the corners and edges. The back door seems to be made of zinc, and the paint there is chipped and ... unattractive.

So if you like an external meter, or are good at guessing exposure (B&W is no problem - and it's good mental exercise) then the M4-P is perfect.
 
In my eyes, the perfect Leica. All frame lines, steal gears, motor/winder capable, hot shoe, battery-free.

"P" stands for professional, BTW ... :)
 
tekst said:
PS: To all you people going on about ugly black chrome finish on the M4P, Leica's are a tool not a fashion statement!
Click to expand...
Yes, I know. They've been one of the essential tools for earning my living for the last 30 years or so.

And the black chrome was rubbish, even so, especially if the camera was used hard (clue: earning a living...).

Put it this way: I wouldn't buy another M4-P: I'd find the money for an MP, or stick with an M2.

Cheers,

R
 
Last edited:
I love my M4-P. I have the early version with recessed viewfinder. It feels solid works flawlessly - just like every film Leica I've owned.
 
sanmich said:
Be aware though that it need to be an early one/ recessed finder window, to have the "accurate frames".
Click to expand...


You are correct, sir. :)

Late production M4-P cameras have the dreaded M6 frameline mask...

I really wish Leica would make the old M2/M4/M5/M4-2 and M4-P masks available again... (exactly as they were).
 
Roger Hicks said:
And the black chrome was rubbish, even so, especially if the camera was used hard (clue: earning a living...). R
Click to expand...

Slightly off topic, but...

Did anyone else notice a change to the character of the black chrome, when the M7 came out? My M6ttl is about 10-11 years old and new out of the box the black finish on that camera always looked mediocre at best. It's even mismatched on some of the parts. The rewind crank has a slightly different finish than the body. Now it's bald from use in many spots and overall the camera is more a shade of gun metal gray, than black...

Then about 3 years ago I added an M7 to my arsenal and one of the first things I noticed when I pulled it out of the box, was how much denser the black finish was. It wasn't just that this was a new camera. The new anodizing actually looked substantially thicker than on any M6 body I remember handling...

Anyone else notice this?
 
Tried to post and it didn't appear... hope it doesn't turn up with this one....

Had a couple M4-Ps, they are as well built as anything Leica ever made. They are an M6 without a meter, and have "all" the framelines- 28,35,50,75,90,135- very useful.

If you do need a meter either the Leicameter MR or the Cosina Voigtlander VC Meter II are the great choices.
 
I, too, regretted selling my M4-P but I scratched that itch with a late M4, which (as much as I liked the M4-P) I have to say I like better in every respect.
 
I handled one once, and if I remember correctly it had 28mm frame lines which looked very convenient. My repair tech though tells me that in his opinion there are too many internal plastic gears in the camera compared to the Wetzlar M4. I'm sure the M4-P is a decent camera in the larger picture (the Wetzlar M4 is almost in a class almost of it's own mechanically - the price reflects that too). It seems to be reasonably priced by Leica M standards - maybe a bargain even.
 
David Murphy said:
I handled one once, and if I remember correctly it had 28mm frame lines which looked very convenient. My repair tech though tells me that in his opinion there are too many internal plastic gears in the camera compared to the Wetzlar M4. I'm sure the M4-P is a decent camera in the larger picture (the Wetzlar M4 is almost in a class almost of it's own mechanically - the price reflects that too). It seems to be reasonably priced by Leica M standards - maybe a bargain even.
Click to expand...

"My repair tech though tells me that in his opinion there are too many internal plastic gears in the camera compared to the Wetzlar M4"

There are no internal 'plastic gears' to find in the M4-P...:)

Tom Abrahamsson said:

"One of my M4P's was a testbench in my workshop for almost 10 years. Every Rapidwinder would go on it and a couple of rolls shot with it. I estimated once that it had had at least 10 000 rolls through it."

"It is a workhorse camera and they are incredibly rugged."
 
Last edited:
Yes, the gears are actually steel rather than brass, so the M4-P (and the -2) feel less smooth than the M4 and earlier.
 
It is true!
"There are no internal 'plastic gears' to find in the M4-P.." In fact I don't think there are any internal plastic parts on my M4-P, perhaps the insulators on the flash circuit.

Knowing what I know now after owning, and beating the hell out of my M4-P for the last 24 years I'd have no concerns over getting another if I were to lose this one.

I covet the M4 and the M6, they are great cameras but I don't own either. The M4 is a collectors piece and the M6 is a tad pricey(for me at least). There is just something about a Leica that is not made in Wetzlar that turns people away from a really good workhorse of a camera.
 
Roger Hicks said:
And my newest Leica until I got an MP. Even bad Leicas are good...
Click to expand...

Heh! If I didn't love my current .sig, that would replace it. It's how I feel about Zeiss - a dog CZJ lens is what most companies aspire to :)

OP: If I ever own another Leica (used to own a CL, sold it on the way to a Contax II), it will probably be either a M5 or a M4P depending on if the 28 frameline or meter is more important at the time. Knowning me, it'll be the M4P as I do love the 28 FOV :D

Good luck & good light!

William
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom