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I love my M4-2


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I´m missing a thread about the not always be loved M4-2 so here´s the beginning:

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  • 3 weeks later...

I have been waiting for this thread for soooo long. Bought this in Jan 07, my first Leica, it is still my main camera.

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You were correct, not many fans for the M4-2. I am on my second version of this model and can honestly say I can find nothing to gripe about. It came from the evilbay all the way from France, it was as described in need of some TLC, an early model which had been somewhat neglected. It cleaned up fine and with a new rewind knob and a few internal tweaks now supplies all I need. The hype that besets this model keeps the price lower than an M2/4, personaly this suites me as I would rather have a newer model, and this is the last model to have the more accurate frame lines that were replaced in the M4P.

 

Best,

 

normclarke.

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... the not always be loved M4-2...

 

M4-2 was the actual build M when I startet to be a Leicanian so many yrs. ago. My first Leica became a R3 safari, but M4-2 is still the "which would You take to a far away island" camera.

First variant with the bigger M4 knob for lens unlock is the most attractive for me.

 

Even Gold model M4-2 With Lux 50 became that cheap, I'm thinking to get me one....

 

 

 

& paint 'em black:D

Thomas

 

Thanks for starting this treat!

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With a 5cm NKJ Nikkor-H-C (S-mount) ... and dust not removed :o

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Here is my "new" M4-2 with a Summicron 50mm III. Isn`t she a beauty?

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  • 3 weeks later...

Might not be the most popular, but I think it's the best value in the M line. Found a clean one on eBay.

 

-Thomas

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The Film Family.....

 

Ciao

 

Giacomo

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I like this thread, too. I bought an M4-2 new in 1984 and it has served me without even one problem. I treated it to a CLA some years ago and nothing unusual was found. I tried to sell it some years ago when I was thinking of upgrading to an M6ttl but interest was zero. Now, I'm glad that was the case!

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  • 1 month later...

New picture of my "new" camera

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  • 1 month later...

Some markings, recovered with Griptac, freshly filled engravings, VC 35/1.4 Nokton and an Abrahamsson Rapidwinder. Usually filled with TriX.

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  • 9 months later...

Ok all you M4-2 owners, here's your chance to express your affection for the camera that really saved the Leica M series before the M4-P. One only needs to read the story of Mr. Walter Kluck, president of Ernst Leitz, Canada here.

 

He convinced Leitz Wetzlar management to start M4 production in Midland Canada because of disappointing sales of the M5, the decrease in overall sales of rangefinder cameras, and rising labor costs in Germany that led Leitz to decide to discontinue the M line. While CEO at Leitz's Canadian subsidiary where most M lenses were made, he knew that Leitz Canada would be adversely affected by the loss of M business. He advocated for continuing the production of the M body and had the machines used in producing M4 parts in Wetzlar moved to the Midland factory years earlier along with supervisory experts and other specialists. So the original tooling, machinery, drawings and key personnel were in place. All that remained was "know-how" for the production staff. That would come in time.

 

The M4-2 production run has become unfairly stigmatized by a reputation from the first production run of 2000 bodies, where new production methods were being ironed out. Supposedly if one avoids these serial numbers, 1468001 to 1482000, it isn't logical judge the entire M4-2 production run the same way. In a relative sense, the M4-2 set the standard for all subsequent Leica Ms to the M7 in overall configuration (no self-timer, steel gears for the winder, hot shoe, etc.) with the exception of added frame lines and other small refinements. See this article. Keep in mind also that these serial numbered bodies, if still in circulation should have had their issues solved by now. So unless it's in never-used mint condition still in its box, it should be fine! I guess a positive consequence of that stigma is it keep M4-2 prices relatively low!

 

My M4-2, (SN 1503311, April 1978, from the second batch to be made), after that first run of 2000, works perfectly, almost imperceptibly smoother than my classic M6. After that first 2000, Leitz Canada went on to produce another 14,000 until the introduction of the M4-P.

 

9890882004_451eb269be_o.jpg

 

So let's show our pride (and gratitude) for the real M series unsung hero, the M4-2!

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this one really looks a sensational camera to me, i just liked it a lot, how much did it cost?

I purchased it (body only) through the big online auction site for $550, on average at least $250 less than what they usually go for. Exterior finish-wise, it's definitely a "user," but its internal workings are great.

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