Black "user" M4

[echorec]

Hello,

Found this one today and I have a few questions:

1. Where should I look for a new ASA dial?

2. Has anyone tried the self-adhesive vulcanite piece for the back door that is offered on varoius places on the internet? Does it look like the original vulcanite?

3. Is it easy to remove/replace the back viewfinder window? This one has a scratch on it.

Thanks in advance.

[doubice]

Hello Gunnar,

This looks like a Wetzlar Black Chrome version - rather rare. Most Black Chrome M4’s were made in Canada, not too many in Wetzlar.

Your questions:

1) Your guess is probably as good as mine - eBay, Solms etc. Often the whole back door shows up on eBay. Any M door up to the M3 will be identical. M4-2, M4-P and M5 doors were different but, will fit.

2) I have, they look pretty close. Since your M4 is not in the best condition, 100% exact match is probably not that important. The two suppliers are Aki-Asahi Camera Coverings and CameraLeather.com Custom camera leather and leatherette .
I have dealt with both and can recommend either highly.

3) The viewfinder ocular can be removed using a ‘flexiclamp’ wrench. There are of course more barbaric ways to do this but, I won’t go there….The Flexiclamps used to be available on eBay from a seller in China. He sells a whole set of the wrenches, for the various parts that need to be removed when dismantling an M camera. Or, you can try Micro Tools: https://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=LF-KIT-C

Good luck - I enjoy resurrecting battered Leicas myself; the final joy comes from a perfectly functioning camera!

All the best,

Jan

[echorec]

Jan,

Many thanks for sharing your expertise.

Best regards,

[bill]

Gunnar, try DAG for spare parts. Also, my viewfinder ocular on my M2 unscrews with gentle, even pressure - try wearing a leather glove or something to give yourself some grip. Rather than just replace the back door covering, why not go to Cameraleather.com and replace the whole skin?

Regards.

Bill

[echorec]

Thanks for the reply Bill.

The rest of the covering looks quite nice so I´d rather keep that. I´ll try the glove tip.

Best,

[pgk]

If, as doubice says, an M4-2 or 4-P back door will fit then the following link is to one for sale by a reputable UK dealer which is described as near mint:

http://www.peterwalnes.com/component...mart/Itemid,1/

Back in the early 80s I owned a black M4 similar to the one you have and I always regret selling it. A lovely camera which I still have transparencies from.

[Fernmelder]

Just a quick question aside, I'm using a chrome M4: Does the ISO/ASA dial really "make" anything? Or is it just for reminding which film speed one put in?

[doubice]

Originally Posted by Fernmelder

Just a quick question aside, I'm using a chrome M4: Does the ISO/ASA dial really "make" anything? Or is it just for reminding which film speed one put in?

The ASA/DIN dial on all non-metered M bodies is just a reminder - has no other function.

I actually wanted to mention to the OP - Gunnar: Why not do away with the dial alltogether and just install a solid leatherette piece on the back door? Those can be obtained from both suppliers I mentioned in my original post.

Best,

Jan

[echorec]

pgk - thanks for the link.

Jan - Hm... that is a good suggestion. It would make a very "clean" M4.

[doubice]

Originally Posted by echorec

..... It would make a very "clean" M4.....

Well - at least as clean as that particular M4 can get....

Best,

Jan

[dennersten]

Originally Posted by pgk

If, as doubice says, an M4-2 or 4-P back door will fit then the following link is to one for sale by a reputable UK dealer which is described as near mint:

used photographic equipment used leica used cameras used nikon

Back in the early 80s I owned a black M4 similar to the one you have and I always regret selling it. A lovely camera which I still have transparencies from.

Don't do that.

The ASA dial have a total other look than on the

M4
check this picture:

http://www.leicashop.com/bilder/shop.../13926_1_a.jpg


If you don't care i have a backdoor for you which i bought to my M4 ..

[echorec]

Jan - actually it does look quite nice from the front.

Håkan - I will try to find the older version of the dial. I might go with a chrome version though. The blacks are probably much more difficult to find.