The Leica M4 is a 35 mm rangefinder camera produced by Ernst Leitz GmbH.

Leica M4
Leica M4 with 50mm f/2 and proxiphotography glasses
Overview
Type35 mm camera
Lens
Lens mountLeica M-mount
Focusing
Focusmanual
Exposure/metering
Exposuremanual
Flash
FlashConnectors for bulb and electronic flash
General
Dimensions138 x 77 x 33.5 mm
Weight560 g

Leica M4

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The M4 started production in November 1966, as the direct successor of the M3 and M2, featuring framelines for 35 mm, 50 mm, 90 mm and 135 mm lenses in a 0.72 magnification viewfinder. It has the frame counter of the M3, with automatic reset after reloading. The M4 was the last Leica rangefinder of this era to be predominantly hand-built.

Three ergonomic modifications were introduced in the M4:

  • an articulating film advance lever, modernised self-timer and frame selection levers
  • an angled crank for rewinding the film that replaced the slow to use telescopic knob of the M3
  • a faster loading system that does not require use of a removable spool

Production of the Leica M4 ceased in 1975.

An olive coloured Leica M4, originally designed for the West German Army, sold at auction in 2009 for €87,600.[1]

Leica MDa

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A scientific version without a viewfinder was made as the Leica MDa (similar to the Leica M1).

 
loading system of a Leica MDa

Leica M4-2, Leica M4-P, Leica MD-2

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Production of the M4 stopped briefly in 1972. Its successor, the M5 had been introduced in 1971. However, the relatively bulky and expensive M5 met with a cool reception, and sales did not live up to Leica's expectations. Production of the M4 was therefore restarted quickly until 1975. In the year 1975, a special edition was made for Leica's 50th Anniversary, and in 1977 the company launched the updated M4-2, which was based on the M4's body, but with a streamlined production process that reduced manufacturing cost. The M4-2 added a hot shoe and motor drive compatibility as standard, but removed the self-timer.

The M4-2 was followed in 1981 by the M4-P, which added framelines for 28 mm and 75 mm lenses. The range continued with the Leica M6 in 1984, which was essentially an M4-P with through-the-lens (TTL) light metering. The M4-P finally ceased production in 1986[2]

Starting in 1980, Leica also produced a simplified derivative of the M4-2 called the MD-2.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Distinctive Leica M4 sets new auction record". British Journal of Photography. 156 (7738). Incisive Media: 8. 2009.
  2. ^ Leica Serial Numbers: M and R Sorted by Number
  3. ^ "Beschreibung Leica MD-2".
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