My fisrt Leica, the M4. What to look at?

[re_visible]

Hej all!



I have to share a moment of true GAS happines with the RFF crowd:

I just "won" an auction at a local auction site, for a Leica M4 set, with the 50mm Summicron (4. gen according to seller), and Leica MR meter, boxed, mint - condition.
For 1020.- Swiss Francs.
That's like 950$ or 710€, for EVERYTHING!?

There is still some risk involved, having only seen pics of the whole set, and not knowing the seller bugs me a bit too, but I can't stop smiling.
It is my first Leica, after spending money of many classic RF, SLR and scale focusing cameras.
I've been looking for a cheap M2, with a colapsable lens, but wasn't ready to spend that much yet.
But this looked too nice to be real, so I had to grab it…


Even with a CLA, I think it is a good deal, right?
(But I will still have to get rid of a bigger part of my existing collection to compensate for this one.)

Now, I need to pick it up later, is there anything special to Leica M cameras I should take an exact look at?

I had an Canon P before (with some shutter issues that where to expensive to repair here in CH), but is the Leica so much different?

Thanks!

[dogberryjr]

That's an astounding deal. Hope it works out okay.

[Phantomas]

Congrats! Just two days ago I got a good condition M4 with 35mm Summaron and 50mm Sumicron with three hoods for each and a meter. I won't even mention the price not to mislead you coz it was ridiculously low.
M4 is a very simple and straightforward camera. Just check that all shutter speeds sound correct, look through the curtain in strong light to make sure it's not too worn, check the film transport, check that frame-counter works and check that framelines change correctly according to the lens you mount. These are the main things to check I guess. If they work you've got a working camera - go out and shoot.

[jamato8]

Great deal, even if you need to have the CLA. No, not a great deal, an outstanding deal. wow.

I shoot professionally and have for many years and have all the Canon stuff I need for my work but nothing, nothing is like using a Leica. This for me, goes back to my first IIIC in 1969 but still, there is just something different. Hard to explain to someone who hasn't used Leica, really used it.

to look at? Well check out the shutter and slow speeds but again a CLA will take care of sticky slow speeds. The focus at infinity but that isn't hard to adjust. The split finder being clear and bright and the different lines for lenses coming right. That will all come together though, again if needed, with a CLA.

[maggieo]

Damn, I can't read the first post. The font color is almost the same as the background. FYI. Not everyone has a black background.

(looks at page source)

Wow! Great deal!! Congrats and enjoy!

[Chris101]

If you just type, and don't add font color formatting, it will come out in the proper contrasting color, no matter what color the reader has set for the background.

I can't read your post either, but in general, you should look at the range finder, make sure the images are aligned properly and check infinity focus. Listen to the shutter speeds - don't be surprised if the slow speeds sound ... weird, but you should be able to tell the speed difference between them all, except perhaps the 2 or 3 fastest ones.

Then check the shutter curtain. It should not hang up, and reset smoothly when you cock the camera. Hold it up to a light and look for pinholes in both the cocked state and after firing it.

[re_visible]

Sorry for the color in the first post, I have some problems with the Opera browser, so I'm back on Safri now...

I will pick it up tomorrow morning, and will post an update about how it worked out.

Probably there will be some issues, the seller told me that the camera has not ben used for some 2 years now, and he didn't dare to touch, as he "is not so good with technology".
That's what he said...


Thanks for all your comments!

[re_visible]

So, I got up early, had to drive 100km to pick up the camera, but hey, it was worth it.

This guy actually had 2 Leica M4 to sell, one with the 50mm f2 Summicron and the other one with a 35mm f2 Summicron (Canada, pre-ASPH), both in black.


And he allowed me to choose one!



I picked the better looking one, with the 35mm lens, meter, hood and UV filter, leather bag (not original).
The cam has some bright marks on the bottom plate, and some very light ones on the top.
Only very little on the sides.
The lens is perfect, looks new.

The other M4 had some scratches in the chrome surface, and the 50mm had some dust inside…


And he also told me the story behind the "sales":
His parents where both photographers and always used to buy the same cameras twice, one for him and one for her. Over 50 years, they collected plenty of gear, always buying double sets. Some cameras where used a lot. But most of the late Leicas not that much, and the best looking ones are for sale now.
Getting the 35mm will allow me to keep the Retina IIIC for a while, untill I can afford a nice 50mm, probably a fast CV.

I will make some pics of the cam tonight and post it, and hopefully some pics from the cam soon.

[Mr G]

cool story, who's this guy?
might be interested in the other m4... but then I'll have to get a matching one for my wife =)

[jamato8]

That is a nice story. It would be interesting to see some of their photography.

[cidereye]

Sounds like you got a fantastic bargain there, enjoy it!

[matt335]

Congrats on the M4, I have one too and I share your joy and excitement. Have a great time together and the fruit will flow !

[alifil]

Congratulations, I bet you'll love it. I don't know the M4, so tell us about it and post pics. I love my M2 (and M8 and iii).

Cheers, Dirk

[winoto]

amazing deal! i love these kinds of sales with a story behind them. hope you will put the m4 through its destined paces. i too started with an m4...can't wait for the pics