please advice me on M4 acquisition

[FrankS]

Thanks again, and here's the news - better sit down for this one: the guy told me it's not a summicron, but a summilux, and that he has all the original packaging for camera and lenses, as well as the manuals and lens bubbles. It belonged to his father, and was kept away in the Leica ERC always.

Happiness exists, really.

wouter

Material happiness is transitory. Desire causes suffering.

WAY TO GO! 🙂

 

[Wouter]

I've bought it on the basis of random information. The guy lives in Rio de Janeiro, some 2000 km from here. He's described the camera, guided by the questions I asked. The pics show a real good clean M4. See this link:
http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-38187922-leica-m4-_JM
I expect to receive it next wednesday or thursday. I'll keep you informed !
wouter

 

[summilux]

yes, M4 is smoother than MP, but MP's viewfinder is brighter and easier to focus in the dim situation, and Leicavit is fun to use.

If I were you, I will possibly sell the M4, and if you are lucky, you will recoup enough the buy a new MP.

 

[Ben Z]

Not me! I had an MP, the same time as an M4 which I still have. Sold the MP for a couple M6s and a 28/1.9 Voitlander, will never sell the M4. Overhauled by DAG, it was smoother than the MP, the viewfinder/rangefinder just as clear and free of the extremely occasional white-out present with the M6. Plus, the M4 has the better rewind crank, which I had to spring $180 for with the MP after a very frustrating go at a wedding trying to get film changed quickly. The M4 was really the last M body made when they were still in widespread use by press photogs and photojournalists and Leica listened to their wants and needs. The M5 sent them packing, and it was the hobbyists and fans who were the major impetus for the reissue of the M4 in the guise of the M4-2 and from then on.

yes, M4 is smoother than MP, but MP's viewfinder is brighter and easier to focus in the dim situation, and Leicavit is fun to use.

If I were you, I will possibly sell the M4, and if you are lucky, you will recoup enough the buy a new MP.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I'd stick with the M4. It's a real bargain, it's a find, and it's a collectible.

Now, wouter, it's time to post some camera pics! 🙂

 

[FrankS]

No new cameras are built to the same build excellence as the top tier cameras of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. You can't buy a new camera that is as well built as your M4. IMO I wouldn't sell it.

 

[Wouter]

I probably won't sell it, I'm very fond of high quality mechanical gear. This sounds like it's a once in a lifetime find. I've had more luck on the brazilian ebay: an M3 + summicron for 70 (!) bucks, a canon 7sz + 50/0.95 for 200 ... Some people don't know what they're selling. I now own and use a Rollei TLR, Yashica 14, olympus sp35, fujica gs645.
I'll put pics on as soon as I receive the camera. Very good return you guys (any girls here?) gave me.
Wouter

 

[Wouter]

news on M4 acquisition

news on M4 acquisition

So, my M4 came in yesterday. In beautiful shape, just a few scuffs on the top plate, caused by the mr meter. The L seal is still in place. However, the shutter is stuck, no movement. I didn´t force it of course. Range-viewfinder system is mint, beautifully clear.
The summilux offers something of the same story. Beautiful, mint condition. Fungus inside, but not the acid leaving kind. The summaron as well, but in beautiful condition too, as far as I can assess.
My dilemma is, where to have the service done ? Although I confess that I´m a bit disappointed because the guy omitted these setbacks - allegedly because of not knowing anything about cameras - I still think it´s a good deal and the camera worth bringing back to an excellent plus condition over all, not to mention the lenses.
There is an excellent technician here in Brazil, referred to even by Leica Brazil. But I wonder if I shouldn´t have it serviced in Solms. Any of you know what kind of expense to expect (for lens service and camera) ?

What a camera. What a lens, the summilux. Does such craftmanship still exist ?

wouter

 

[ray_g]

Wow, those were certainly major omissions.

Don't know about Solms. The usual suspects here in the US would charge $75-100 to service the lens, maybe more if some repair is required. How do you distinguish the "acid-leaving" kind of fungus?

CLA here would run about $300 for labor and parts (lube, gaskets etc). If the shutter needs to be replaced, that can cost you quite a bit more.

IMO, such craftsmanship still exists. Perhaps even more so. The question is if enough buyers will pay the price to make it worth the manufacturing.

 

[egpj]

Is the fungus in the center of the element or off to the side? Still fungus is fungus ehh? Even with the omissions about the shutter and the fungus you probably got a good deal. Now to get it serviced. Hope the surface of the glass has not been too scoured by the fungus.

Welcome to the dark side!

 

[Wouter]

How do you distinguish the "acid-leaving" kind of fungus?

What I understand is that there are two kinds of fungus. The first one consist of threads that spread through the inner space in the lens. This one should not be too dangerous. The second one nestles on the glas and radiates out on it. It has an acid secretion that etches into the glas, and damages the optics permanently.

Here in Brazil we worry about the second type only. The first type is considered common in used lenses - which doesn't mean that every technician knows how to service every lens, obviously.

I might be wrong, but that's the story that goes around here.

wouter