Difference between revisions of "Leica M4"

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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=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2445039228_e90544aae1.jpg
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|image caption=M4 with 50mm and viewfinder 'spectacles'<br/>Image by {{image_author|Christopher Robin Roberts}} {{creative commons}}
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|maker=[[Leica]]
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|dates=M4 1967-1972, M4-2 1977-1983, M4-P 1980-1985
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|variants=M4 silver-black, M4-2/M4-P black
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|viewfinder=Reverse Galilean (magnification ×0.72)
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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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}}
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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 [[Leica M3|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.
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===Film handling===
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Loading and rewinding film was made much easier. A redesigned take up spool simplified film loading, and a crank in place of the earlier knob made rewinding easier and faster.
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
−
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrizzle/2445039228/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/90900361@N08/10434670146/in/pool-camerawiki
−
|image=  http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2445039228_e90544aae1.jpg
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|image=  http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/10434670146_ed5996f6b7.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_align= left
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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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|image_text= 1969 M4 with 50mm f/2.8 Elmar
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|image_by= Christopher Robin Roberts
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|image_by= Geoff Harrisson
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|image_rights=  
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
  
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The '''Leica M4''' was introduced in 1967, and replaced the 1954 [[Leica M3]]. The Leica M4 is considered by many photographers and collectors alike as the definitive model of the Leica rangefinder cameras.
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{{br}}
  
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The M4 is an all mechanical manual exposure camera without a built in exposure meter. A clip on coupled exposure meter was available as an accessory. Also available was the 'Visoflex' reflex head, which turned the camera into an [[SLR]]. Visoflex lenses have a different mount and cannot be used except wht the Visoflex.
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==M4-2==
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==Leica M4-2==
 
 
{|class=floatright
 
{|class=floatright
 
|
 
|
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}}
 
}}
 
|}
 
|}
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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.
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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.
  
 +
For the first time provision was made from the outset for a motor winder which would also fit the M4-P and [[Leica M6|M6]] (but not the earlier [[Leica M5|M5]]). Although smaller than the earlier M2 winder, the Winder M4-2 was still substantial and more than half the size of the camera body.
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{{br}}
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==MD-2==
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{|class=floatright
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|
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{{Flickr_image
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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_align= right
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|image_text=MD-2 with [[Cosina Voigtländer]] wide-angle lens mounted
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|image_by= boredom™
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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|}
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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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{{br}}
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==M4-P==
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{|class=floatright
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|
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/tango-/6963574569/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6963574569_09283b21c3.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= black M4-P
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|image_by= Tiberio Frascari
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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|}
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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 [[Leica M6|M6]] and available for the [[Leica M7|M7]].
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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.
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{{br}}
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
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*[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11436 Leica M4-2] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Sylvain Halgand's  www.collection-appareils.fr]
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*[http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_m4/leica_m4.htm Leica M4 user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_m4-2/leica_m4-2.htm Leica M4-2 user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/leica/leica_m4-p/leica_m4-p.htm Leica M4-P user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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*[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11436 Leica M4-2] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php Sylvain Halgand's  www.collection-appareils.fr] (in French)
 
*[http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm#M4-2%20and%20M4-P Leica M-series guide] at Stephen Gandy's [http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm CameraQuest]
 
*[http://www.cameraquest.com/mguide.htm#M4-2%20and%20M4-P Leica M-series guide] at Stephen Gandy's [http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm CameraQuest]
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* [http://www.luistriguez.es/fotos/cameras/leica_m4_2/index-leicam4_2.htm Leica M4-2] by luis triguez
  
 
[[Category:German 35mm rangefinder]]
 
[[Category:German 35mm rangefinder]]
 
[[Category:Leica]]
 
[[Category:Leica]]
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[[Category: Leica M mount]]
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[[Category:L]]
  
 
<!-- Irrelevant content commented out
 
<!-- Irrelevant content commented out
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In addition, there have been several shorter runs of models, like the MP professional and the MD with no finder. Se [[Leica M chronology]] list.
 
In addition, there have been several shorter runs of models, like the MP professional and the MD with no finder. Se [[Leica M chronology]] list.
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[[Category:Leica]]
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-->
 
-->
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[[Category:Leica|M4]]
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[[Category: Leica M mount]]
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[[Category:M|M4 Leica]]
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[[Category:German 35mm rangefinder]]

Latest revision as of 07:33, 19 March 2022

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 (magnification ×0.72)
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.

Film handling

Loading and rewinding film was made much easier. A redesigned take up spool simplified film loading, and a crank in place of the earlier knob made rewinding easier and faster.

10434670146_ed5996f6b7.jpg
1969 M4 with 50mm f/2.8 Elmar
image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights)


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 from the outset for a motor winder which would also fit the M4-P and M6 (but not the earlier M5). Although smaller than the earlier M2 winder, the Winder M4-2 was still substantial and more than half the size of the camera body.

MD-2

4604362000_1cea82d327_m.jpg
MD-2 with Cosina Voigtländer wide-angle lens mounted
image by boredom™ (Image rights)

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.

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

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Leica_M4&oldid=213614"