I love my M4

[CSG123]

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My M4's shutter curtain separated and now I have to figure out where to send it for that repair, a CLA, and replacement lugs.  I am aware of DAG and YYE but YYE told me this past week that he was at four months unless I wanted to pay an additional 30% for a rush job. I don't mind the repairs and costs nearly as much as being without the camera for months!

[Pyrogallol]

2 hours ago, CSGreene said:

My M4's shutter curtain separated and now I have to figure out where to send it for that repair, a CLA, and replacement lugs.  I am aware of DAG and YYE but YYE told me this past week that he was at four months unless I wanted to pay an additional 30% for a rush job. I don't mind the repairs and costs nearly as much as being without the camera for months!

When mine came apart my repairer said that the metal caps on the end of the shutter blinds were only crimped on. He crimped and glued it back.

[CSG123]

7 hours ago, Pyrogallol said:

When mine came apart my repairer said that the metal caps on the end of the shutter blinds were only crimped on. He crimped and glued it back.

Who was your "repairer"?

[Pyrogallol]

On 4/16/2023 at 5:37 PM, CSGreene said:

Who was your "repairer"?

He is fully retired now, I don’t say who he is as it wouldn’t want people to pester him for work.

[CSG123]

I love my 1966-7 M4 so much, I sent it off to Don (DAG) who received it this past Friday.  Full CLA and replace 2nd shutter curtain.  While I thought the lugs were in need of replacement, he suggested they were fine and he wouldn't do it unless I wanted it done for cosmetic reasons.  In the end, it will cost me about what the camera did 13 years ago - $675 (Actually, I bought the camera for $600). While I hate spending the money, these cameras need to be preserved (and used)!  He also told me he will remove the ding on the side of the top plate by the film counter.  Fingers crossed on that.  He promised it by the end of this month.

Edited May 3, 2023 by CSGreene

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello CSGreene,

Welcome to the Forum.

M4's Begin at 1175001 in 1967. If the number on your M4 is lower than that it might be an upgraded MDa from 1966.

By the way, 600 Dollars for an M4 works out to 1 Dollar a gram.

Best Regards,

Michael

[CSG123]

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12 hours ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello CSGreene,

Welcome to the Forum.

M4's Begin at 1175001 in 1967. If the number on your M4 is lower than that it might be an upgraded MDa from 1966.

By the way, 600 Dollars for an M4 works out to 1 Dollar a gram.

Best Regards,

Michael

According to all available research, the first batch of three thousand was manufactured beginning in November 1966. Mine is 1177***.

[madNbad]

20 hours ago, CSGreene said:

I love my 1966-7 M4 so much, I sent it off to Don (DAG) who received it this past Friday.  Full CLA and replace 2nd shutter curtain.  While I thought the lugs were in need of replacement, he suggested they were fine and he wouldn't do it unless I wanted it done for cosmetic reasons.  In the end, it will cost me about what the camera did 13 years ago - $675 (Actually, I bought the camera for $600). While I hate spending the money, these cameras need to be preserved (and used)!  He also told me he will remove the ding on the side of the top plate by the film counter.  Fingers crossed on that.  He promised it by the end of this month.

I sent my M4 to DAG a few years back and he installed a M3 style lens release collar for me. Don can set the collar to the proper depth so it won't bind when mounting or rmoving a lens.

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Michael Geschlecht]

8 hours ago, CSGreene said:

According to all available research, the first batch of three thousand was manufactured beginning in November 1966. Mine is 1177***.

Hello CSGreene,

Both the WIKI at the top of this page & Gianni Rogliatti's "Leica The First 60 Years" date that first batch of 3000 M4's to 1967.

1175001 to 1178000

Could you please give us the sources of the 1966 dates?

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited May 5, 2023 by Michael Geschlecht

[CSG123]

6 hours ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello CSGreene,

Both the WIKI at the top of this page & Gianni Rogliatti's "Leica The First 60 Years" date that first batch of 3000 M4's to 1967.

1175001 to 1178000

Could you please give us the sources of the 1966 dates?

Best Regards,

Michael

No, I cannot go find the sources for you but I am certain you can find the same sources I did.

[Michael Geschlecht]

17 hours ago, CSGreene said:

No, I cannot go find the sources for you but I am certain you can find the same sources I did.

Hello CSGreene,

If I had found them I would not be asking. This Forum is a place where people trade information in order to add to the knowledge base of everyone. If it is possible: It would be helpful if you could give us some perspective as to where your information comes from. We are here to help each other.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited May 6, 2023 by Michael Geschlecht

[CSG123]

In the time it took you to type that, you could have found the information using any search term having to do with "M4", "Dates of manufacture", "Leica M4 November 1966"...

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited May 6, 2023 by CSGreene

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello CSGreene,

That certainly is a long list. Thank you for providing it. Where in that is the information that we are looking for: M4 # 1177XXX being manufactured in 1966?

Best Regards,

Michael

[otto.f]

http://www.summilux.net/numeros/

[CSG123]

16 hours ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello CSGreene,

That certainly is a long list. Thank you for providing it. Where in that is the information that we are looking for: M4 # 1177XXX being manufactured in 1966?

Best Regards,

Michael

The only "we" here is you.  I already gave you most of the serial number of my camera.  They were introduced in late November 1966.  Mine could have been made in December '66 or, more likely, January '67.  Which is why I refer to mine as a 1966-7 as I don't have the resources available to know the exact day my M4 was manufactured.  But by now you should have learned the first 3000 made were begun in late November 1966.  The 28th is a date I've seen a few times. And now, with this subject and you, finis.

Edited May 6, 2023 by CSGreene

[Pyrogallol]

Mine is 1184***

[Michael Geschlecht]

5 hours ago, CSGreene said:

The only "we" here is you.  I already gave you most of the serial number of my camera.  They were introduced in late November 1966.  Mine could have been made in December '66 or, more likely, January '67.  Which is why I refer to mine as a 1966-7 as I don't have the resources available to know the exact day my M4 was manufactured.  But by now you should have learned the first 3000 made were begun in late November 1966.  The 28th is a date I've seen a few times. And now, with this subject and you, finis.

Hello CSGreene,

I wasn't asking for more of the serial number.

I am sorry that you were not able to find us the source. That is a lot of material to go thru. 

Best Regards,

Michael

[otto.f]

14 hours ago, CSGreene said:

The only "we" here is you.  I already gave you most of the serial number of my camera.  They were introduced in late November 1966.  Mine could have been made in December '66 or, more likely, January '67.  Which is why I refer to mine as a 1966-7 as I don't have the resources available to know the exact day my M4 was manufactured.  But by now you should have learned the first 3000 made were begun in late November 1966.  The 28th is a date I've seen a few times. And now, with this subject and you, finis.

I don’t see the need for apparent irritations while answering as well

[CSG123]

Got an email from Don this morning that my M4 is all ready.  CLA, replace 2nd shutter curtain, and a little body work.  He'd advised me after seeing the camera that, what I thought were seriously worn lugs I thought needed replacing, don't.  Don told me they were fine and he wouldn't replace them unless I wanted to for "cosmetic" reasons.  I took his advice From shipping the body to him to his turn around was about two weeks (I'd requested the work be done before the end of May).  If his work is as good as so many say, I'll be quite pleased!

Will post a photo once it's home.

Edited May 9, 2023 by CSGreene

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[CSG123]

On 5/9/2023 at 12:48 PM, CSGreene said:

Got an email from Don this morning that my M4 is all ready.  CLA, replace 2nd shutter curtain, and a little body work.  He'd advised me after seeing the camera that, what I thought were seriously worn lugs I thought needed replacing, don't.  Don told me they were fine and he wouldn't replace them unless I wanted to for "cosmetic" reasons.  I took his advice From shipping the body to him to his turn around was about two weeks (I'd requested the work be done before the end of May).  If his work is as good as so many say, I'll be quite pleased!

Will post a photo once it's home.

Showed up a day early, yay.  Other than a C3 P&S, this is the only Leica I've owned and maybe, literally, only the second M I've ever even had in my hands so I have nothing to judge my refreshed M4 to as to how it *should* feel.  All I can say is everything feels fine.  Tighter feeling than it had been (in a good way).  The body work improved the wrinkle in the side panel (but it was always cosmetic) and he also did a little cosmetic stuff here and there.  Anyway, not cheap but from when I sent it off to when I got it back was no more than three weeks.