Re: [Leica] M4-2

[Bill Satterfield <cwsat@cyberhighway.net>]

Since a CLA is usually needeed, would this cure the problem?

Dan Cardish wrote:

> What a dilemma; a mint M4-2 which would be highly valued by collectors, but
> which would be poor as a photo taking camera, or a beat up used M4-P which
> will have had all the problems ironed out, but uselss as a collectable!
>
> Dan C.
>
> At 08:27 AM 31-07-00 -0600, John Collier wrote:
> >The lack of commercial success for the M5, the decline in sales of
> >rangefinder cameras in general and the rising labour cost in Germany led
> >Leitz to decide to discontinue the M line. Walter Kluck, CEO at the time of
> >Leitz's Canadian subsidiary where most of the M lenses were made, knew that
> >Leitz Canada would be hit hard by the loss of M business. He fought for
> >continuing the production of the M camera and had the manufacturing
> >equipment moved from Germany to Canada where labour costs were substantially
> >cheaper. Some of the M production staff also moved over to Canada. The
> >camera was redesigned to reduce costs and to modernise it as well. For
> >example the selftimer was eliminated, the film counter simplified and a hot
> >shoe and a coupling for a winder were added. There were a lot of teething
> >problems in setting up production in Canada and the early M4-2 cameras had a
> >great deal of problems. They were sorted out and later M4-2 cameras were
> >very reliable. How should this affect your decision to buy an M4-2? If it is
> >a later production camera, or a M4-P, do not worry about it as the bugs had
> >been worked out by then. If it is an early camera that has seen moderate to
> >hard use, do not worry as the bugs would have been straightened out in
> >warranty and maintenance repairs. If it is an early camera in mint or mint -
> >condition, I would not buy it as the problems will not have been dealt with.
> >One of our illustrious members had a strap eyelet come away from an early
> >M4-2 camera resulting in an unfortunate rocky landing which destroyed his
> >lens as well! All covered under warranty though!
> >
> >John Collier
> >
> >sources: Leica Photography 6/98, pg. 18-19; and, Popular Photography July,
> >1980, starting at pg. 121
> >
> >
> >> From: "Julian Thomas" <mimesis@btinternet.com>
> >> Reply-To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
> >> Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2000 12:51:52 +0100
> >> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> >> Subject: [Leica] M4-2
> >>
> >> Can anyone tell me why the M4-2 is often reviled? I've just had a chance to
> >> take my recentlyCLA'd M4-2 out and I love it - I much prefer to my M6. The
> >> shutter release is so much more positive and need so little travel. With a
> >> softie it is perfect. The M6 feels slacker for some reason. OTO at least I
> >> could get a backup fairly cheaply!
> >>
> >> Julian
> >>
> >
> >
> >