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I owned several M4-2's throughout the years, all worked well.  I also owned one of pretty much every film M over the years.  The only ones I still have are M4's.  There's just something about them makes me feel as if it was the pinnacle of film M design.  Modern wind and rewind, fit and feel of old-school quality.

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Recollection surfaced, so I have to add that, way back in the early 80s, I gave Leica-M several trials, and one included an M4-2 that revealed a consistent light leak. Tracked it down to the hole surrounding the "R" rewind switch on the front. The "R" lever shaft was too long, so the lever was not flush against the hole. And due to the absent self-timer clockwork, there was a clear path all the way down through the camera to the film.

 

Fixed by having the carpenter at the hospital where I worked grind a mm off the lever's shaft, so that it sat tight against the body.

 

Likely a combination of somewhat sloppy fit-and-finish on an early version, plus the deleted self-timer mechanism, which might have blocked the leak in an M4.

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Recollection surfaced, so I have to add that, way back in the early 80s, I gave Leica-M several trials, and one included an M4-2 that revealed a consistent light leak. ...

 

Likely a combination of somewhat sloppy fit-and-finish on an early version, plus the deleted self-timer mechanism, which might have blocked the leak in an M4.

 

Wasn't the M4-2 the first that Leica built without hand fitting parts?

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Hello Zinonzinonos,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

It is too bad that your camera was stolen.

 

You should report this to Leica in Wetzlar even if you were not the original buyer so that they can keep it in their list of stolen cameras. If it ever comes in for servicing anywhere in the World where they have an agency they will have the number.

 

You should also check about having the serial number listed, as stolen, in the Wiki at the top of this page. In the M4-2 section.

 

You never know. You may get it back.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

Edited by Michael Geschlecht
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The M4-2 i got new in the eighties was my only M needing a repair for a shutter issue i must say. Was due to the use of the then new Leica Winder M i suspect. Zero problem since then and its shutter noise is quieter than that of my other Ms (M3, M6J, M8.2, M240). I don't use it anymore for digital reasons but it has been my favorite rangefinder for 20+ years. 

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Recommend to me an affordable (under $800) 50 mm lens for my M4-2. A 'Cron might do fine. Anything else come to mind?

 

I just bought a black Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5 lens, its a great match for my M4-2. Haven't developed anything shot with this lens yet but from what I've read it's a good performer.

 

-Thomas

Edited by trisberg
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Recommend to me an affordable (under $800) 50 mm lens for my M4-2. A 'Cron might do fine. Anything else come to mind?

Something you might consider is the 50/2.8 Elmar-M (the new version); for Leica glass, it's relatively affordable, outstanding performance and collapses, therefore very compact.

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  • 2 years later...
On 9/15/2016 at 9:57 PM, zenonzinonos said:

If anyone sees/ is offered/ has in his possession a M4-2 with serial number 1529205 please be aware that it was stolen from my home 30 months ago and I miss it very much...

Hi, my first post here, had to respond sorry...

OMG, mine is 1529207...I almost choked when I read that. Hope you find it mate.

 

Danny

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On September 16, 2016 at 10:55 AM, kivis said:

Recommend to me an affordable (under $800) 50 mm lens for my M4-2. A 'Cron might do fine. Anything else come to mind?

I have tried many affordable 50 including several Leitz made. And including mentioned here. On my М4-2.

If you want to save money, using mostly bw, try to get Jupiter-3, which was CLA'd.

I have mine and it is the only 50 I see reason to keep. After trying very many 50ies.

If you like it more in color, I recommend Leitz\Leica made. Anything from old Summarit 50 1.5 and newer will do.

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