Leica M4 or Leica M4-2?

[MCTuomey]

Originally Posted by Pikapig

Is the Viewfinder the same as a M2?

No, the M2 has individual 35/50/90 FLs. The M4/M4-2 has 35/135/50/90 FLs where the 35 and 135 lines are combined.

[porktaco]

four years later, and the debate continues like it had started yesterday. lol.

[MCTuomey]

can't believe i didn't notice ... sheesh

[Efra1]

SOmebody have an idea of the cost for a CLA in CRR Luton, I have to send a M4 for shutter repair.

Thanks

[blw]

Haha...porktaco took the words out of my mouth.

All I can add to this thread is my M4-2 is all the camera I ever wanted- black, no red dot, and a hotshoe to make flash a little easier to use. But it's the only M I've ever known.

[maddoc]

Originally Posted by blw

Haha...porktaco took the words out of my mouth.

All I can add to this thread is my M4-2 is all the camera I ever wanted- black, no red dot, and a hotshoe to make flash a little easier to use. But it's the only M I've ever known.

M4-2 was the only M series camera I had never used until recently and slowly it is becoming my favorite camera on par with the M4-P.

[Moriturii]

I want to try M4/M4-2 before I completely give up on Leica cameras since I see not a single point in using one now days with things like Hexar RF around, except they are the best looking cameras that exist.

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by Moriturii

I want to try M4/M4-2 before I completely give up on Leica cameras since I see not a single point in using one now days with things like Hexar RF around, except they are the best looking cameras that exist.

Hexar RF is a lovely camera to use, but the question remains about servicability and whether spare parts are available. I found the lens release button on my Hexar was very exposed and very light to touch, which lead me to accidentally unlock the lens several times. And the Hexar viewfinder lacks the slight negative diopter setting that the Leica viewfinder has built in, which can effect some people (like me!). It's a shame that the Hexar didn't have another ten years in the market, to develop and refine the design.

[punkromance]

Love my M4-2.
They get a lot of flack because people associate them with deviation from the classic Ms, but then they forget about that for every later model and preach about how well built they are. The M4-P for example is very highly thought of, but for me it has a cluttered and flare-prone VF with personally superfluous 28mm frame lines (you said you don't use 28mm too). Plus it doesn't have that god-awful red dot smacked in the most random place ever.
I'm not complaining though. Keeps the prices well down.
Though a chrome M4 would be very nice...

[MCTuomey]

punkromance, great flickr stream, btw

[helenhill]

Originally Posted by punkromance

Love my M4-2.
.

Congrats !!!

You did the right thing....She's a Beauty and a Fab M
To hell with others Opinions...
Best-H

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by punkromance

... Though a chrome M4 would be very nice...

OK, since you asked so nicely.

[punkromance]

Originally Posted by MCTuomey

punkromance, great flickr stream, btw

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ChrisN

OK, since you asked so nicely.

Bah, they look so nice.

[ChrisN]

Yeah, they feel nice too. I shot the M4 and M6 together yesterday, testing and comparing shutter speeds. The M4 shutter is dragging at 1/1000, and inconsistent at other other speeds (reciprocity test), but I still prefer the feel of the M4, esp. the shutter release. Time to save for the service.

[roboflick]

DAG
is the only person on earth I would trust my Leica with, he does an excellent job and stands behind his work. The key to getting your camera back in a timely manner is getting him on the phone, and putting a date that you want the camera back in your letter with the camera. He is overwhelmingly busy for good reason. He overhauled my grandmother's M3 that hadnt been used in 30 years and returned a buttery smooth like new camera. He also upgraded my M6ttl finder and advance lever to the m3 style, he adjusted the speeds for no extra cost while it was with him(what others would call a CLA). In my opinion he undercharges for the quality of work that he does.
Nik

[kbg32]

Either one. I have both. Both have performed flawlessly for 30+ years. Which is smoother? Any camera used continuously for this long should feel like "butta".

[Roger Hicks]

Originally Posted by punkromance

The M4-P for example is very highly thought of...

Not by everyone.

It's one of the worst Ms ever made, especially in black chrome (finder, finish, vulnerability of rewind when banged around).

But the differences between M2, M3, M4-P, MP are still pretty trivial (I own/have owned all of them), and a 'bad' Leica is still better than many manufacturers' 'best' cameras.

Cheers,

R.

[brainwood]

SOmebody have an idea of the cost for a CLA in CRR Luton, I have to send a M4 for shutter repair.

Thanks

I just got my M2 back from Peter at CRR - full service about £175 it obviously depends a bit on what needs repairing in the shutter

Chris

[rogerzilla]

My M3 was £219 but he had to fix the wind mechanism and repair some vulcanite. He also fettled my old Summaron as a freebie. 2 week turnaround.

[Ezzie]

I too ended up with an M4-2 as my first ever Leica, off a gentleman here on RFF. I've had it for 4 days and not yet taken as much as a picture with it. Apprehensive is the word. I have however fondled it quite a bit. Not having handled many M's in the past I rather think it both looks and feels good. The main gripe as to fit and finish is the rear swing out panel being less than substantial. Viewfinder is beautifully bright and uncluttered, its got a nice heft, nice advance lever, nice shutter actuation (though not silent). Should prove fun when I muster the guts to try it out in earnest.

[JayM]

I want an M4 but would be interested in "deleting" the self timer. Is this easy to do? Anyone who is picky about silly little things willing to say that it isn't as annoying as it seems like it would be?

[Richard G]

Ezzie, the door sometimes has a bit of play in it if you press it in against the casing - my M5 has this. I loved the M4-2 fitted with a black tabbed Summicron. I bought one on my travels in the '80s and never babied it and took it everywhere, without a case or half case, and never put a mark on it. It's tougher than you are! Go outside and stop worrying about. Great camera.

[shadowfox]

Originally Posted by Ezzie

I too ended up with an M4-2 as my first ever Leica, off a gentleman here on RFF. I've had it for 4 days and not yet taken as much as a picture with it. Apprehensive is the word. I have however fondled it quite a bit. Not having handled many M's in the past I rather think it both looks and feels good. The main gripe as to fit and finish is the rear swing out panel being less than substantial. Viewfinder is beautifully bright and uncluttered, its got a nice heft, nice advance lever, nice shutter actuation (though not silent). Should prove fun when I muster the guts to try it out in earnest.

A fine camera like this is meant to be used.
Go out and shoot a roll already!

Btw, there is no play on my M4-P. But as long as it doesn't actually shift around exposing the film on the back, who cares?

[Ezzie]

Thanks. The downside of 135 is of course the number of frames before you can empty the camera, develop the film and evaluate the results. Being used to 12 on 120 for the last year is a bit of a pain.

[d_c]

Assuming you are looking to take pictures then I'd suggest you get a good user M4. I've owned both an M4-2 and an M4. My M4-2 was always a shooter and although it worked well enough for this it always left the impression of being a little bit on the crude side compared to the M2 and M3 that I'd previously had - kind of unsatifactory if you know what I mean. If I had to put it down to anything it would be that the mechanics felt a bit coarse, particulary the film transport - and this was on a camera CLA'd by Leica. My M4 on the other hand is nice and smooth - a pleasure to use. My only gripe? The M4 is such a pretty thing that I'm loathe to take it out as much as I could.