Leica M4-2; factory upgrade?

[Tim Hogendoorn]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello Leica Forum,

 

Recently I bought a mint Leica M4-2 without a scratch, together with a just as mint LeicaMeter MR.

I have shot a few rolls so far (yet to be developped) but I have a good feeling about/with the camera, a lot of fun.

 

Just yesterday I accidentaly stumbled upon some threads about the M4 and M4-2, mostly comparisons, and people writing about how the "m4-2 is a cheap version of the original M4" and a website stating you should steer clear of the M4-2's with a specific serial number range.

Firstly, well the M4-2 I have of course has a serial number within that range, specifically #1.469.xxx, so I'm a little afraid about the reliability of this model.

 

Secondly, and maybe most important, is that I read about the first M4-2's having the framelines 35/50/90/135 but mine also has the 28/75 framelines.
Could this indicate that the body got some kind of Leica factory upgrade, and that perhaps the problems of the first M4-2 batch have been resolved with my M4-2 body? (the seller i got it from was a collector, and only "used" the camera with just a wind and release of the shutter every few days).

 

Perhaps someone can clarify my doubts about this!  Thank you in advance!

 

-Tim

[earleygallery]

Hi,

 

The M line was dropped by Leica after the M5 flopped. Leica Canada wanted to save the M and a lower cost model - the M4-2 - was put into production.

 

Yours has had a finder 'upgrade' at some point, and probably a service or two during its life so it its working fine I really wouldn't worry about anything you've read about unreliability.

 

You should get one of those films processed ASAP though as you won't know if it's all good until you see some results. Shutter problems, pinholes, light leaks etc. can be issues with any M and you don't want to waste more film if you do have a problem.

 

Good luck with it.

[michaelwj]

Sounds like something has been upgraded. Pictures would of course help!

[Tim Hogendoorn]

Sounds like something has been upgraded. Pictures would of course help!

 

 

 

 

 

[enboe]

Framelines, which are implemented via a mask in the mechanism, and also a condenser in the optical path of the rangefinder patch image, similar to the new MP rangefinder, are two available upgrades the last time I checked.

 

As far as reliability goes, I challenge you to use it enough to get it to break.  I've owned two or three M4-2s over the years and never had a problem.  Enjoy the camera.

 

Eric

[M9reno]

Looks nice - - and historically it's an important part of the M lineage.

[michaelwj]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would have to say that the "collector" you bought it from either used it when new, and got it serviced and the VF mask changed, or didn't buy it new, and the previous owner made the changes. I find it hard to believe that an M4-2 with this early serial number left the factory with the 28/75 frame lines, but anything can happen. Can you enquire with the previous owner, maybe they have some ideas?

[willwright]

I have 2 M4-2's of early vintage and when the M4-P's came out, I had the then available 6 line finder put in both my -2's.  what's different is that both cameras ended up with 6 line finders that don't flare...Must have happened before that "value engineered" the finder. 

[normclarke]

I love the M4-2, I'm on my second one, changed the  first after a Leica service which cost a stunning £450 for a 6TTL which I didn't take to at all. Bad moves all round, found a tatty body on the bay satisfied once more. Didn't like the multi finder after the more simple earlier 4 frame layout.

 

Best,

 

normclarke.