Sentimental M

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jwicaksana

Jakarta, Indonesia
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Apr 17, 2012
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Hi all,

I am very pleased to say that I have received my very first M body. That is, an M4-P 70th Anniversary Edition.


​

Beautiful, isn't she? 😀

This camera will be (and probably already is) a very special camera for me, as it embodies many things I am looking for in a Leica rangefinder. Its cosmetic has beautiful patina, I cannot say 'used but not abused' since the previous owner explained extensive internal mods also done to bring it back to its current condition. It has smooth shutter release, finder is bright, patch is well aligned, speeds sound correct, mechanically it is sound.

I wanted to buy a Leica for a few years, building a specific list of things I want in the camera. I knew I don't want a shelf queen, I want to shoot 35mm, I want quick loading and rewind, and I don't need in camera meter. So I came down to the M4 series of cameras. Initially I want an M4-2 for its simple finder, but then I found this one on RFF classified and I fell in love immediately.

Getting in touch with the seller, andersju was a breeze. Prompt responses, very fair and honest in describing the camera. He had to travel for a few weeks so in total I have to wait a month for him to send the camera, but it was all worth it. Anders definitely has my recommendation as a seller and overall cool guy! 😎

I have had a series of bad luck this past month, but this camera was like THE silver lining behind all those. Took only a week to arrive in Jakarta from Sweden, was somewhat miraculous as well. 😀

I am writing this especially to young fellers like me wanting to buy an M, I just wanna say, stay focused on what you want, be specific, don't be afraid to live smart and frugal, and you will embrace the sweetness of Leica in no time.

Thanks for listening to me, photos will soon follow!!

Some formal portraits of the camera:


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Thank you all for your warm welcome and wishes. Looks like the M4-P has got itself a following around here! 🙂

Cosmetically, the removal of the red dot and the absence of self timer makes it look really clean, and wait until you see the M2/M3 style advance lever and back door. It truly is a thing of beauty.

P.S. She is not at all that pretty. Lots of scratches and some dings, but that's why I love her, because she is imperfect, like me! ;P
 
jwicaksana said:
Thank you all for your warm welcome and wishes. Looks like the M4-P has got itself a following around here! 🙂

Cosmetically, the removal of the red dot and the absence of self timer makes it look really clean, and wait until you see the M2/M3 style advance lever and back door. It truly is a thing of beauty.

P.S. She is not at all that pretty. Lots of scratches and some dings, but that's why I love her, because she is imperfect, like me! ;P
Click to expand...

I think that especially the silver-chrome M4-P looks better without that red-dot. What kind of leatherette had been applied ?
 
maddoc said:
I think that especially the silver-chrome M4-P looks better without that red-dot. What kind of leatherette had been applied ?
Click to expand...

Agreed. Black chrome suits the red dot fine but silver is best without. As for leatherette, I haven't found out, most likely it is #4008 but I'll post some more pictures to be sure. Maybe you'll be able to help me identify, I remember that GripCanite M4-P of yours LOL.
 
jwicaksana said:
Agreed. Black chrome suits the red dot fine but silver is best without. As for leatherette, I haven't found out, most likely it is #4008 but I'll post some more pictures to be sure. Maybe you'll be able to help me identify, I remember that GripCanite M4-P of yours LOL.
Click to expand...

#4008 looks better actually, my M4-2 has that leatherette (AkiAsahi was faster than cameraleather ....) but griptack is really nice under tropical conditions.
 
I remember this camera in the classifieds. It was very difficult to not send a PM on such a unique camera. My finger was on the trigger! It seems it has found a happy and deserving home!

Congratulations and welcome aboard from another M4-P'er as well ...black in my case.
 
A camera is so much sweeter when you have to save and be wise when you buy it. Some folks toss out "yeah, I got one of those (insert name of kilo $ camera) but it didn't have a comfortable pinky rest, so I sold it. Think I try one of the new (insert multi kilo $ camera) next."

Too much disposable income.
 
Yep, I was on the trigger for this one too - but I already had one M4-P and I was more looking for a lens ... so tempting as it was, I let it go. I think Anders wrote somewhere that it was #4008 on the camera.
 
The M4-P is a wonderful camera. I've been using one for many years. Re lenses: unless you're a Leitz purist, the CV lenses with M adapter are excellent. Besides a 35/2 Summicron and 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit I have a 21/4 CV Color Skopar with viewfinder. Fine results, and a reasonable price.
 
I've been an M4 shooter since 1974. I remember buying a used M4-2 in 1982 at a camera store in La Jolla, Ca and picking up the M4-P brochure. I wanted one, but I couldn't really even afford the M4-2 I bought. Well, I still have that brochure, and about six months ago I finally got my M4-P to go with the brochure. I only had to wait about 30 years. 🙂

Yours looks like a really nice body. I must have missed it when it was for sale, but you really have a keeper there.

Happy shooting!
 
2035114153_1de369008b_z.jpg
I have used M4P's since they came out in 1980/81. Still have two left of the 12-15 that I used over the decades. This is the earliest of them with the ur-Rapidwinder on it. The prototype under was machined out of a solid block of brass - took almost 30 hours on a Bridgeport Mill! This camera was also enlisted as a test bench for 1000's of Rapidwinders. One day the entire drive mechanism fell out. I had it refurbished as the black chrome was worn down to nickel/brass and now it sports a crackle finish black paint. Still works perfectly, mainly used for 28mm and 75mm lenses. Great camera - about as tough as it gets. I once calculated that this camera has had the equivalent 12-15000 rolls of film through it, as each Rapidwinder was tested with at least 2-3 rolls before being shipped out.
 
Congrats!
jwicaksana said:
Initially I want an M4-2 for its simple finder, but then I found this one on RFF classified and I fell in love immediately.

Getting in touch with the seller, andersju was a breeze. Prompt responses, very fair and honest in describing the camera. He had to travel for a few weeks so in total I have to wait a month for him to send the camera, but it was all worth it. Anders definitely has my recommendation as a seller and overall cool guy! 😎
Click to expand...
And I can only agree: a couple of years ago I bought a very nice DAG-serviced M2 from andersju. Makes my day everytime I pick it up. Gotta love the RFF-connections crisscrossing the world 🙂

Greetings, Ljós
 
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