echorec Posted October 1, 2008 Share #1 Posted October 1, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, Found this one today and I have a few questions: 1. Where should I look for a new ASA dial? 2. Has anyone tried the self-adhesive vulcanite piece for the back door that is offered on varoius places on the internet? Does it look like the original vulcanite? 3. Is it easy to remove/replace the back viewfinder window? This one has a scratch on it. Thanks in advance. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/64321-black-user-m4/?do=findComment&comment=672953'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 1, 2008 Posted October 1, 2008 Hi echorec, Take a look here Black "user" M4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted October 2, 2008 Share #2 Posted October 2, 2008 Hello Gunnar, This looks like a Wetzlar Black Chrome version - rather rare. Most Black Chrome M4’s were made in Canada, not too many in Wetzlar. Your questions: 1) Your guess is probably as good as mine - eBay, Solms etc. Often the whole back door shows up on eBay. Any M door up to the M3 will be identical. M4-2, M4-P and M5 doors were different but, will fit. 2) I have, they look pretty close. Since your M4 is not in the best condition, 100% exact match is probably not that important. The two suppliers are Aki-Asahi Camera Coverings and CameraLeather.com Custom camera leather and leatherette . I have dealt with both and can recommend either highly. 3) The viewfinder ocular can be removed using a ‘flexiclamp’ wrench. There are of course more barbaric ways to do this but, I won’t go there….The Flexiclamps used to be available on eBay from a seller in China. He sells a whole set of the wrenches, for the various parts that need to be removed when dismantling an M camera. Or, you can try Micro Tools: https://www.micro-tools.com/store/item_detail.aspx?ItemCode=LF-KIT-C Good luck - I enjoy resurrecting battered Leicas myself; the final joy comes from a perfectly functioning camera! All the best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted October 2, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted October 2, 2008 Jan, Many thanks for sharing your expertise. Best regards, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted October 2, 2008 Share #4 Posted October 2, 2008 Gunnar, try DAG for spare parts. Also, my viewfinder ocular on my M2 unscrews with gentle, even pressure - try wearing a leather glove or something to give yourself some grip. Rather than just replace the back door covering, why not go to Cameraleather.com and replace the whole skin? Regards. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted October 2, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted October 2, 2008 Thanks for the reply Bill. The rest of the covering looks quite nice so I´d rather keep that. I´ll try the glove tip. Best, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted October 2, 2008 Share #6 Posted October 2, 2008 If, as doubice says, an M4-2 or 4-P back door will fit then the following link is to one for sale by a reputable UK dealer which is described as near mint: http://www.peterwalnes.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,2283/category_id,20/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,1/ Back in the early 80s I owned a black M4 similar to the one you have and I always regret selling it. A lovely camera which I still have transparencies from. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernmelder Posted October 2, 2008 Share #7 Posted October 2, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just a quick question aside, I'm using a chrome M4: Does the ISO/ASA dial really "make" anything? Or is it just for reminding which film speed one put in? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 2, 2008 Share #8 Posted October 2, 2008 Just a quick question aside, I'm using a chrome M4: Does the ISO/ASA dial really "make" anything? Or is it just for reminding which film speed one put in? The ASA/DIN dial on all non-metered M bodies is just a reminder - has no other function. I actually wanted to mention to the OP - Gunnar: Why not do away with the dial alltogether and just install a solid leatherette piece on the back door? Those can be obtained from both suppliers I mentioned in my original post. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted October 3, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted October 3, 2008 pgk - thanks for the link. Jan - Hm... that is a good suggestion. It would make a very "clean" M4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted October 3, 2008 Share #10 Posted October 3, 2008 ..... It would make a very "clean" M4..... Well - at least as clean as that particular M4 can get.... Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennersten Posted October 4, 2008 Share #11 Posted October 4, 2008 If, as doubice says, an M4-2 or 4-P back door will fit then the following link is to one for sale by a reputable UK dealer which is described as near mint: used photographic equipment used leica used cameras used nikon Back in the early 80s I owned a black M4 similar to the one you have and I always regret selling it. A lovely camera which I still have transparencies from. Don't do that. The ASA dial have a total other look than on the M4 check this picture: http://www.leicashop.com/bilder/shop_gross/13926_1_a.jpg If you don't care i have a backdoor for you which i bought to my M4 .. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted October 5, 2008 Author Share #12 Posted October 5, 2008 Jan - actually it does look quite nice from the front. Håkan - I will try to find the older version of the dial. I might go with a chrome version though. The blacks are probably much more difficult to find. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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