m4-2/p

[frko]

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Leica M4-2 or M4-P for a second body?

Please help me out.

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[kemal_mumcu]

What's your first body?

 

Knowing this will help decide your second body.

 

Others who own these cameras will chime in but basically the differences between these cameras are slight.

 

M4-2: Only 35/50/90/135 frame lines - Brass top plate - worse mechanical reputation

 

M4-p: 28/35/50/75/90/135 frame lines - Zinc top plate - better mechanical reputation

 

Most would argue the M4-p is better, but I tend to like to support the underdogs.

[Guest maddoc2003jp]

M4-2: A Midland-made cheapened copy of the Wetzlar M4, has steel gears and allows to use a motor / Rapidwinder. Added hot-shoe contact. Some reported problems with early models.

 

M4-P: Initial problems during the production of the M4-2 were more or less eliminated and frame lines for 28mm and 75mm were added (the latter being only for corners).

 

M4-2 and M4-P both have brass top-plates and recessed windows, only the latest M4-P (in silver-chrome) have the later M6 zinc dyecasting top-plate with flushed windows and only one sync-port.

 

I think the M4-P is the better buy regarding age and reliability. It is my favorite M Leica.

[frko]

Thanks guys.

 

My first body is M7.

[Guest maddoc2003jp]

Thanks guys.

 

My first body is M7.

 

Same here, M7 + M4-P.

[Xmas]

Thanks guys.

 

My first body is M7.

 

Hi

 

Part way through the M4-2 run they removed a condenser from the finder, the rangefinder will flare more, this was not fixed until part way through the M7 run. The early M4-2 also had teething problem but it they have been used they will be ok now.

 

Part way through the M4-P ( I think) they replaced the screw to adjust the rangefinder by a special, which needs a special tool to adjust...

 

But if you want a smoother camera and don't need a winder a M2 is smoooooooooth, need to get a quick load kit as well, if you have been spoilt by the M7s fixed tulip take up spool. If you pick up an M2 fire a frame and wind on, it may super glue itself to your hand.

 

Noel

[kemal_mumcu]

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M4-2 and M4-P both have brass top-plates and recessed windows, only the latest M4-P (in silver-chrome) have the later M6 zinc dyecasting top-plate with flushed windows and only one sync-port.

 

I stand corrected. I've always seen the M4-P as the Modern Leica without metering as it still gives you all the framelines of the M7/M6. If you want a meterless M7 it might be what you are looking for.

 

The M4-2 tends to be found cheaper and if you don't need 28/75 frame lines it could be a better choice/bargain.

[frko]

Same here, M7 + M4-P.

 

Cool

 

Oh and by the way in a second hand store I'm buying from (a bit more expensive than ebay, but not a big difference and I get to try it) the price is equal.

 

Thanks for helping guys!

[Guest JoanMarianne]

Being Leicas, they are both excellent cameras. Personally, I would go for an M4-P simply because it will be newer, although I like it because of the 28mm framelines and the absence of a built-in meter. I have a black one with the recessed windows and which is very battered (mainly by the previous owners and I have had it serviced) but which, through being cosmetically undemanding, is consequently good for landscapes when fellwalking in all weather.

 

With regards to Mr Maddoc's comments, I also have in reserve (and for "best") a chrome M4-P with the flush viewfinder but also with TWO synch ports. It has a late serial number so perhaps they did more mix and matching towards the end. I find a meterless Leica is more within the spirit of the original design philosophy and, paradoxically perhaps, faster to use, since one is less tempted to fiddle about with the controls when approaching the decisive moment.

[jpattison]

Don't forget to mail Mr Gandy with your s/no if you have one of these variants....

 

Leica M4P with M6 Windows

 

John

[wattsy]

I find a meterless Leica is more within the spirit of the original design philosophy and, paradoxically perhaps, faster to use, since one is less tempted to fiddle about with the controls when approaching the decisive moment.

 

Yes, I agree. I've always thought Leica should have had more balls when it came to the modern incarnation of the MP and produced it without a meter (yes I know that you can take the battery out but that's not the same thing). There is something quite liberating about using a bare-bones quality tool.

[Guest maddoc2003jp]

Yes, I agree. I've always thought Leica should have had more balls when it came to the modern incarnation of the MP and produced it without a meter (yes I know that you can take the battery out but that's not the same thing). There is something quite liberating about using a bare-bones quality tool.

 

They did ! Only in a very limited special edition, the Leica "MP classic" Without meter and in black-paint.

[josephgalilee]

Hi,

the latest M4-P, both, in silver-chrome and in black-chrome, have the later M6 zinc diecasting top-plate with flushed windows.

 

Cheers

[maurometallo]

I have an M4-P, bough new in 1981.

She never gave me any trouble, always worked flawlessly and I simply love her.