Difference between revisions of "Leica M4"

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The M4 was Leica's last camera produced largely with hand assembly.
 
The M4 was Leica's last camera produced largely with hand assembly.
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==Leica M4-2==
 
==Leica M4-2==
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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]]).
 
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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==Leica MD-2==
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/49243657@N07/4604362000/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/4604362000_1cea82d327_m.jpg
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|image_text=MD-2 with [[Cosina Voigtländer]] wide-angle lens mounted
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Like the earlier MD variant of the [[Leica M3|M3]], the MD-2 was a version of the M4-2 without a viewfinder intended primarily for scientific use on a microscope or telescope.
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==Leica M4-P==
 
==Leica M4-P==
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Most M4-Ps were finished in black chrome, while some silver-chrome units were also available. [[Leica M6|M6]] started production in 1984, overlapping production of the M4-P, and later M4-Ps shared the same rangefinder as the M6.
 
Most M4-Ps were finished in black chrome, while some silver-chrome units were also available. [[Leica M6|M6]] started production in 1984, overlapping production of the M4-P, and later M4-Ps shared the same rangefinder as the M6.
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==Links==
 
==Links==

Revision as of 17:43, 16 January 2013

Leica M4

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

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 MD-2

Like the earlier MD variant of the M3, the MD-2 was a version of the M4-2 without a viewfinder intended primarily for scientific use on a microscope or telescope.

Leica M4-P

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