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Hi everyone !
I’m very happy to be part of the family of the Leica now, I just received my very first Leica. I decided to purchased this M4 in a stunning condition.

The thing is the next day I realised that was something little bit « strange » just between the flash bulb and the backdoor (check the picture), that there is a part of the top plate looks bent a little, is not huge on the picture but you can notice it and the backdoor is clicking a little bit as well..
Do you think that is normal or it could be an issue? :( 

I would appreciate any recommendations Thank y’all ! :)

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Welcome!

Email the vendor with your concern and include photos, see what reaction you get. Try a roll of high speed film in the camera, if there's a light leak or pressure plate problem this should show it up.

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Welcome to the forum!

Yes, it looks like the back of the top plate is bent slightly inwards in the middle where the flash connectors are located, as if there had been some pressure applied at this point. Agree with @Pintpot that a test roll to check for light leaks is a good idea. Because the ocular is attached to the back of the top plate and could be affected I would also check that the viewfinder (framelines) and rangefinder work properly. And of course that the flash contact(s) work.

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I’d guess a flash sync plug was in the flash socket and it took a knock. It wouldn’t normally affect light tightness. As for the back door clicking, I could be mistaken by the camera angle but is the bottom edge of the door actually inside the baseplate as it should be?

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Even if photos come out fine...

if the fault bothers you,

and/or was not mentioned,

and/or is not reflected in a considerably lower price than for a "stunning" M4,

then I would return the camera (sadly).

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Hi thank y’all for the reply ! I really appreciate it.

I’ll develop the first roll as soon as possible and keep you in touch in the forum to see if there is any leak or something else that shouldn't be normal.

Everything else looks normal, I compared the viewfinder with some other framelines and everything is fine (thanks god)

The bottom edge is actually inside the baseplate properly, that’s why it bother me a little..

I can add an another picture to confirm my doubts.. 

Thanks again everyone 

Best regards

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7 minutes ago, ianman said:

From the photos it seems more than a little bent. But is it the body or the backdoor? The clicking sound is not normal either. Is the hinge in good condition?

For me it seems like between the connection of the backdoor and the top plate there is a little space but it’s from the top plate not the backdoor.. and the hinge look pretty nice I’ll take a picture after soon for you.

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13 minutes ago, ianman said:

I think you should try to find out what’s making the clicking noise. That would worry me more than a small dent because over time it could cause wear.

I'm thinking of maybe taking it to a Leica store to check it to get that clear.. 

thank you so much 

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Hi again guys,

There is few more pics of the camera to confirm your opinion and my fear, do you see something not normal?

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The clicking is common on Ms and seems to relate to the fit of the hinge pins and a very tiny amount of play between the back door and the body. It is not a problem in operation. See here 


It may be possible to apply a very thin strip of felt (as used on modern MP) between the edge of the back door and the body which should quieten the click. 

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  • 1 month later...

Hi everyone I got an update with the camera you’ll tell me if it’s a bad news or not but.. I got an issue with the shutter speed it seems stuck and I can’t advance lever is jammed and won't move at all and the shutter release button can be pressed but nothing happens.
I removed the roll to check inside and the curtain stay open a little bit.

Someone has an idea..

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Edited by Hugoeyesfilm
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There is an another picture of the curtain..

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Yep, had this on my M2. It is likely that the felt in the shutter curtain runner has come loose and wrapped itself around the shutter drum, or similar. Requires disassembly to rectify. May or may not have ancillary damage. Take it to a Leica film camera expert. Do not attempt to force anything yourself. You will only make it worse. 

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closing curtain has a small pin, it shall go between the rails (right photo). It your case it looks like the pin hokked on the rail where the arrow points and thus curtain cannot fully close. Filmn transport if blocked until 2nd curtain fully closes and of course release as well, this is how the Leica shutter is built. 
Open back door, take the curtain between two finder in front andf back (approx where the blue dot is) and pull few mm to the left, like arrow shows. Push a bit towards back and release your finger. Curtain shall close and transpost shall be released. 

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It may happen that you might "help" the curtain to fully close, ich such case, again with your 2 fingers pull it a bit but to the right.

Then check if the shutter works fine. It could be that is was just one of. But if this repeats camera needs to be opened.

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