Difference between revisions of "Leica M4"

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(→‎Leica M4-P)
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{{Infobox_35mm_RF_system|camera name='''Leica M4'''
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrizzle/2445039228/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrizzle/2445039228/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2445039228_e90544aae1.jpg
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|image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2445039228_e90544aae1.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image caption=M4 with 50mm and viewfinder 'spectacles'<br/>Image by {{image_author|Christopher Robin Roberts}} {{with permission}}
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|image_text= Photo of Leica M4 with Summicron-M 50mm/2 <br>Dual Range equipped for close-up use.
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|maker=[[Leica]]
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|image_by= Christopher Robin Roberts
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|dates=M4 1967-1972, M4-2 1977-1983, M4-P 1980-1985
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|image_rights=  
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|variants=M4 silver-black, M4-2/M4-P black
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|viewfinder=Reverse Galilean (×0.68)
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<br/>with automatic or manual selection of [[parallax|parallax corrected]] framelines
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|rangefinder=[[coupled rangefinder|coupled]], combined ([[rangefinder base|ERB]] = 47.1mm)
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|lens mount=Leica M
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|shutter type=[[focal plane shutter|focal plane]]<br>cloth curtains, horizontal travel
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|min shutter speed=1/1000
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|max shutter speed=1s
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|exposure meter=None
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|exposure modes=manual
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|iso range=160 to 2500 [[ASA|ISO]]
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|shoe=fixed (hotshoe from M4-2)
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|sync=X
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|sync speed=1/50
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|ttl flash=No
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|motor drive=No (motor winder from M4-2)
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|battery=None
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|dimensions=138×77×38mm
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|weight=550g
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|number produced=unknown
 
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Following the disastrous [[Leica M5|M5]], the M4 was reintroduced in 1978 as the M4-2 manufactured in Canada, with only detail differences. Manufacture was simplified and largely mechanised, reducing the very high cost of earlier production.
 
Following the disastrous [[Leica M5|M5]], the M4 was reintroduced in 1978 as the M4-2 manufactured in Canada, with only detail differences. Manufacture was simplified and largely mechanised, reducing the very high cost of earlier production.
  
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For the first time a hotshoe was fitted, i.e. flash shoe with electrical contact (previously, flash triggering was only possible with a cable).
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For the first time provision was made for a motor winder which would fit all subsequent M cameras up to the [[Leica M7|M7]] (but not the earlier [[Leica M5|M5]]).
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Also, provision was made for a motor winder which would fit all subsequent M cameras up to the [[Leica M7|M7]] (but not the earlier [[Leica M5|M5]]).
 
  
 
==Leica M4-P==
 
==Leica M4-P==

Revision as of 16:31, 13 January 2013

Leica M4
2445039228_e90544aae1.jpg
M4 with 50mm and viewfinder 'spectacles'
Image by Christopher Robin Roberts (Image rights)

Maker: Leica

Dates: M4 1967-1972, M4-2 1977-1983, M4-P 1980-1985

Variants: M4 silver-black, M4-2/M4-P black

Camera Type: 35mm rangefinder system

Focusing: manual

Viewfinder: Reverse Galilean (×0.68)
with automatic or manual selection of parallax corrected framelines

Rangefinder: coupled, combined (ERB = 47.1mm)

Lens mount: Leica M

Shutter: focal plane
cloth curtains, horizontal travel
from 1/1000 to 1s

Exposure meter: None

Exposure modes: manual

ASA/ISO range: 160 to 2500 ISO

Shoe: fixed (hotshoe from M4-2)

Synchronized: X

X sync speed: 1/50

TTL Flash: No

Motor drive: No (motor winder from M4-2)

Battery: None

Dimensions: 138×77×38mm

Weight: 550g

Number produced: unknown

The Leica M4 was introduced in 1967, replacing the 1954 Leica M3 with a number of improvements; particularly much improved film handling and viewfinder bright lines for wide angle lenses.

Like the M3, the M4 is an all mechanical manual exposure rangefinder camera without a built in exposure meter.

The M4 was Leica's last camera produced largely with hand assembly.

Leica M4-2

5005750413_920b0b2484.jpg
image by Pekdeche (Image rights)
5005749333_130860caaf.jpg
image by Pekdeche (Image rights)

Following the disastrous M5, the M4 was reintroduced in 1978 as the M4-2 manufactured in Canada, with only detail differences. Manufacture was simplified and largely mechanised, reducing the very high cost of earlier production.

For the first time provision was made for a motor winder which would fit all subsequent M cameras up to the M7 (but not the earlier M5).

Leica M4-P

6963574569_09283b21c3.jpg
black M4-P
image by Tiberio Frascari (Image rights)

Built from 1980 to 1986, with serial numbers from 1543351 to 1692950, successor to the M4-2 and likewise made in Canada. The main difference is six viewfinder frames for 28/35/50/75/90/135 lenses by displaying the following combinations: 35/135mm, 50/75mm, and 28/90mm. 28mm and 75mm frames were added for newer lenses. The M4-P also has the .72 magnification viewfinder found in the M6 and available for the M7.

Most M4-Ps were finished in black chrome, while some silver-chrome units were also available. M6 started production in 1984, overlapping production of the M4-P, and later M4-Ps shared the same rangefinder as the M6.

Links


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