please advice me on M4 acquisition

[Wouter]

I need some advice from experienced Leica users. I have been offered an M4 (chrome) with summicron 50/2 and summarom 35/2.8, and MR meter, for $ 1100. I assume this is very good price, even in the digital era. What should I look for, when assessing the quality of the camera ? It seems to be in really good shape !
Thanks, Wouter

 

[Frank Granovski]

Make sure everything works and test it with a roll of film, if you can.

Check the lenses for scratches and internal dirt/fungus.

If everything is A-okay, then yes, it's an excellent deal.

 

[rover]

Even at that price if the lenses are clean, but the camera needs a service, you are getting a good deal. Actually, I wish I had this opportunity.

Search around this site for buying tips
http://www.nemeng.com/leica/index.shtml

And of course Steve Gandy's checklist.
http://www.cameraquest.com/leicamchecklist.htm

 

[Avotius]

if it works then I would say thats an excellent deal, I saw an M4 with the 50 lens alone (in good shape) for $1500 at a camera store near seattle a few months back.

 

[taffer]

Looks like an excellent deal if everything works OK, I was recently quoted 1100 euros for a M4 body alone, and 900 for a really beaten up one. Of course that was locally, in a store here.

 

[existrandom]

i would check the viewfinder and rangefinder, and see if there is any signs of seperation and de-silvering... the mechanical parts, if they are not damaged, should be easy to tune to specs

i enjoy using my M4 very much and i wish you will, too!

lee

 

[former member]

Great Price.

Check the viewfinder for separation. Shutter curtain for holes, wind for slippage, rewind for slippage. Anything else is standard fare for CLA.

It is a great price, grab it.

 

[Wouter]

thanks for returns thus far

thanks for returns thus far

Thank you all for these returns, I feel more secure. It sure seems like a good deal. I'll get back on it when I've actually received the camera.
Wouter

 

[summilux]

the biggest worry is hole in the shutter curtain, although Liquid Rubber Tape can cure it if the hole is not big. Finder separation or de-silvering is not that common as for early M3. Mint M4 on fleabay commonly fetches between 1700-2000 US$.

A good quality CLA is recommended, just remember the tech to install a new film sprocket which does not scratch film, and also install an updated eye exist pupil piece if yours still use the M2 type. If you like retro style, or want to do your own a la carte M4, you can ask the tech to install the M2/3 style timer and preview levels. As for film advance level, the M4 style actually prevent accidental hit by it onto either the speed dial or the back door.

Yes, the new MP has a brighter viewfinder, but in terms of sheer mechanical smoothness, the vintage wetzlar ones are still the ones to turn to, they are the truely MP (mechancial perfection).

Use it carefully, and pass it on to your children.

 

[MCTuomey]

Nothing I can add to what's been said other than to hope the deal works for you. Wonderful price - best of luck. And welcome to the forum, by the way.

 

[brightsky]

It sounds like a great deal!

Expect it to need a CLA unless one has been performed recently.

The smoothness of a properly CLA'd M4 is superior to the MP, hands down.

You will not regret the purchase. Good luck!

 

[FrankS]

Great deal. Buy it. Welcome to RFF!

 

[Ben Z]

Unless the camera has a separated rangefinder prism or needs new shutter curtains or a winding head or has been in salt water or suffered some other severe damage; and unless the lenses have severe cleaning marks or fungus that has etched the coatings or into the glass or have been in salt water or sufferec some other severe damage; and even if the MR meter will be in all likelyhood inoperable but not totally corroded beyond repair, then $1100 is a great price.

I need some advice from experienced Leica users. I have been offered an M4 (chrome) with summicron 50/2 and summarom 35/2.8, and MR meter, for $ 1100. I assume this is very good price, even in the digital era. What should I look for, when assessing the quality of the camera ? It seems to be in really good shape !
Thanks, Wouter

 

[Nikon Bob]

Nothing to add as to what to check and it seems like a really good price especially if everthing is in order. I use an M4, recently CLA'd, and it is the smoothest operating camera that I have by far. I love my Nikon SLRs but they can't hold a candle to the M4 for slick operating ability. If you go through with the deal I am sure you will enjoy it.

Bob

 

[SolaresLarrave]

You mean you'd be getting a fully operational camera for less than what I paid for one M6TTL body?

Go for it, because as long as the shutter curtains are clean, and the film advance works without slipping, and the shutterspeeds sound (emphasis on "sound") fine, it's a steal at that price.

Don't forget to look through the glass in search of something... dust would be normal, so I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Wouter]

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

 

[former member]

Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it? Did you buy it?

And then you better have a cup of coffee. With the camera. In the thread.

Congratulations. I'll just assume you bought it.

 

[ray_g]

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

The two lenses alone, assuming they are in good condition, are worth the asking price. He is giving you the M4 for free.

 

[Trius]

As Frank Barone would say, "Holy crap!"

Earl

 

[Buttons]

Then again anybody selling this configuration for that price must make a potential buyer at least a bit nervous. Good deals are hard to find !