Viewfinder, M4-2 vs M4

[ulrich.von.lich]

All M4-2s have 35/50/90/135 framelines like the M4, with same details such as the bigger frame sizes (no need to host 28mm) and the better refined 90mm framelines (M4-P, M6 and later have only 4 simple lines).

The condenser was removed in later production.

So does an early M4-2 have exactly the same viewfinder as an M4? Or has it still be cheapened in some way?

Thanks and cheers

[normclarke]

Yes.

Best,

normclarke

[Godfrey]

The M4-2 viewfinder optics on the first M4-2 production batch are the same, the change happened somewhere in the second batch IIRC. Other elements of the camera's construction are different from the M4, including the viewfinder.

"Cheapened" is a, perhaps, inelegant way to express the differences. The M4-2 was built using more modern assembly techniques, which ensured Leica's survival by keeping prices lower and profits higher. Some bits were made less expensive (steel gears vs brass gears, plastic frame counter rather than machined metal, etc), but having owned both, I cannot see the M4-2 as being "cheapened" in feel or quality, just different from the M4.

[normclarke]

I'm sorry the viewfinder is the same as an M4, I have had both apart and they are identical.

Best,

normclarke.