M4 or M4-P 70th anniversary

[Stealth3kpl]

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If you had the option of a chrome M4 or a chrome M4-P 70th Anniversary edition, same price, which would you opt for? 

Pete

[wattsy]

M4

[a.noctilux]

I have the two M4/M4-P, using them for decades, my opinion on the two as user is depending on your requirements :

- if you need the 28/75 frame lines, it's obvious

- if you don't need those 28/75 but prefer the uncluttered frame lines, of course the choise is easy

 

- M4-P can use the nice Leicavit M created later for MP, also the last Motor M

- in use most of M4 are smoother (more fragile also, need CLA/repair more often ) than M4-P (my "70th M4-P" had never been to repair ! )

[ianman]

Would have to be the M4-P for me as I use 28mm quite a bit and 75mm sometimes. I have a chrome one but it's not Anniversary edition.

[Stealth3kpl]

What frame lines does the M4 have? 

Ah, just googled it. I didn't realise they have different framelines.

Pete

3 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

if you don't need those 28/75 but prefer the uncluttered frame lines, of course the choise is easy

 

Edited May 12, 2020 by Stealth3kpl

[ianman]

2 minutes ago, Stealth3kpl said:

What frame lines does the M4 have? 

Pete

 

35, 50, 90 and 135.

28 and 75 were added from the M4-P.

[Stealth3kpl]

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M4-P viewfinder sounds a bit cluttered. 

Pete

[ianman]

I suppose it depends what you are used to. I also use an M9 and MP so with the lightmeter they have even more going on.

The M4-P must be similar to an M-A I would think.

[BradS]

The M4 and M4-P are a lot more alike than different. Personally, I'd choose the one that is in better condition. That said, I have a soft spot for the M4-P so if both were in equally good condition, I'd know I'd lean heavily toward that.

Edited May 12, 2020 by BradS

[Stealth3kpl]

I really like my MPs in which I''ve got only the 35/50/90 frameline set. I only use 50 and 35, and I use an external finder for 28. I really like the single stage shutter release of the non-metered Ms. I keep finding myself looking at M4s (since there are no M-As on the used market). Occasionally, the idea of having the shutter release of my MPs changed (at the expense of the metering) floats through my mind.

But then I remind myself I probably won't be working for two years....

Pete

[ianman]

7 minutes ago, Stealth3kpl said:

But then I remind myself I probably won't be working for two years....

Do you need a CLA? 

[logan2z]

3 hours ago, Stealth3kpl said:

I keep finding myself looking at M4s (since there are no M-As on the used market).

The Leica store in Miami has a used M-A.

https://leicastoremiami.com/collections/used-m-cameras/products/used-leica-m-a-typ-127-black-chrome-2?variant=33600023363715

Edited May 12, 2020 by logan2z

[Stealth3kpl]

2 minutes ago, logan2z said:

The Leica store in Miami has a used M-A.

https://leicastoremiami.com/collections/used-m-cameras/products/used-leica-m-a-typ-127-black-chrome-2?variant=33600023363715

I'm in the UK, but thank you.

It's a beauty, isn't it!

Pete

Edited May 12, 2020 by Stealth3kpl

[logan2z]

 

Quote

I'm in the UK, but thank you.

Ah, sorry, I didn't check your location.  I'm sure they'd ship it to you 😉

Quote

It's a beauty, isn't it!

It is, I have the exact same camera.

 

 

 

[BradS]

1 minute ago, logan2z said:

Ah, sorry, I didn't check your location.  I'm sure they'd ship it to you 😉

It is, I have the exact same camera.

 

Seems like an OK price too...exceedingly tempted...thanks.

[wattsy]

19 hours ago, ianman said:

Would have to be the M4-P for me as I use 28mm quite a bit.

Good point, I hadn't thought of that. I now vote M4-P. 🙃

[a.noctilux]

🙃 After using happily those nice M4xx for fun, then MPs

since 2014, I voted for M-A 👍 and this would become my very last film Ms as long as film still available, for my remaining days.

[Beemermark]

The M4-P 28mm frame lines are at the very edge of the viewer.  With the M4 you just use the edge of the viewer for 28mm.  I have an M4, M7 & M9 and use an external VF for 28mm most of the time.  I find the M7 & M9 VF (same as M4-P) cluttered and distracting.

[ianman]

7 hours ago, Beemermark said:

I find the M7 & M9 VF (same as M4-P)

Almost... the M4-P doesn't have the lightmeter indicators.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Ouroboros]

I can understand a personal preference for a meter less camera, I have half a dozen of them, but I’m struggling to understand how two incomplete frame lines and an led reflected in a viewfinder can be ‘cluttered and distracting’!