Leica M4-2 Review: The best value in 35mm film photography.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Most agree it's the Leica that saved the "M" series and perhaps even the entire company back in the 1970s. With the majority built in Canada instead of Germany, and a revamp to lessen the production costs, some consider it a less-than Leica. But, in my opinion, these changes have done little to effect the quality, durability and shooting experience of the Leica M-series body that is the best value in 35mm film photography, and just a great all-around performer.
Meanwhile, prices start at $1600 on the used market... As soon as we all have to go back to the office, expect a lot of people give up on their lockdown hobbies and prices to plummet.
Hi, and thank you for the comment. Honestly, I was thinking the exact same thing recently.
7 years have passed and I still think this is the best M4-2 video in TH-cam.
over 20 leica M , I think the M4-2 and M7 are the best ones. sold my Ma for two M4-2: the recess window avoid finger print on the glass for telemeter and framing ,the crank is far more usable and the wind lever is two part Quick modern.
Don’t tell this secret, It has to be keep cheap!
Had one for almost 40 years. Best camera if you're using a 35/2 Summicron, viewfinder wise. Bullet proof. Simple is best.
I am really glad somebody else has an appreciation for this camera. I have owned one for about a year now and use it along side a Leica M3. I got my m4-2 for 600$ (it has some viewfinder fogging issues)I used it exclusively since march. I have just sent it off to get a cla from yye camera. Hoping its going to feel new again and I can't wait to use it again with my 35mm summicron! the hot shoe is more useful than you might think. I have actually used an electronic flash on mine and it worked great.
I've had my M4-2 since 1979 with a 50 and a 90 summicron. I have no complaints. It has performed spectacularly. I had a CLA done on it around year 2000, and if I am not mistaken Leitz silently corrected some of the problems other users had reported. Something to do with shutter gears. I have a "motor drive" but I mostly use it to occasionally exercise the shutter spring (it will take Eneloop batteries, no problem). It is a great camera and very under rated. You are correct it is a great value. I recently put a Voigtlander VC Meter II on it. Looking forward to the reintroduction of Ektachrome later this year.
Leica was saved by the M4 2.. Sales where wy down, Leica was nearly bankrupt . Moved production to Midland Ontario and then came the m6.. Leicas issue was the advent of slrs and the bad slrs they sold, sl, sl2, r3 LOL
Severely underrated camera. Saved leica from the same fate that befell Zeiss due to the Contarex. (ie: reversed a lot of the damage caused by the Leicaflex)
I own a Leica M4-P (also made in Canada, only the last few were made back in Germany) and it's a tank! It's solid, very well built and I have no intention of getting rid of it just because it was made in Canada. I guess it's a similar experience you have with the M4-2. Maybe I'll do a video about it too. Great video.
Douglas Drumond you should do a video! I love mine. The more I shoot it the more I love it!!! Thank you for the comment and let me know if you do a video. I'll check it out for sure!
I'd be happier than the Chirstmas if I could find M4-2 under＄ 1,000
Hi John great channel !!
I use a Leica M2 MK1 ,
just purchased a Canon 50mm f 1.4 in leica mount ( sometimes called the japanese summilux !! ] -- i have been shooting with tri-x 400 , with great results .
the M4-2 is a great camera that i used a lot. Never had a problem. Thanks for your video
This is a beautiful camera! Nice review, thank you for that!
It's one of my favorite film cameras... no doubt. Thank you for watching.
Just finished the first roll on my M4-2. Solid camera. Had to get the rangefinder vertical focus adjusted though. Now it’s a great 35mm focal length B&W shooter. May pick up the M3...but for now, the M4-2 is all I need in a film camera.
Hey John, nice shots, man.
My M4-2 has served me well since 1987, highly recommended.
Looking at getting one, would you still recommend?
great review of an amazing t
hanks for sharing this with us!
super insightful
I had one, once. And of course I sold it, didn't I?
Hi Karim and thank you for the comment. I am in the same boat.
I have an M4-2 and an M3. What I do love about the M4-2 is that it's easier to grasp with my right hand, due to the lack of self-timer and the new film advancer desgin. It's a good and solid Leica but I have some problems with its rangefinder patch, which is blown out sometimes. That really is a pain for me.
Hello John! Thank you for this video. I recently purchased my first Leica, an M4-P. I am still waiting for my lens. I took the 35mm from Voigtländer, the Color Skopar. Don't you have the same? What do you think about it? What are your favorite films? And my last question is, how do you manage to shoot without a lightmeter? What are your recommendations? Best regards Helmut
Helmut Minten hi! I love the 35 color Skopje, especially for the price. It has that vintage glow to it! You’re going to be very pleased.
Hi John, have you taken the last pictures on this video with a 35mm or a 50mm lens? as Leica owner, what is your opinion about the M35 /2.4 Summarit-M asph?
Thanks anyone who will reply
Mattias Stolzenfels HI... Thanks for the comment. That image was taken with a 35mm I believe. It’s on the camera 95% of the time. I actually have never shot with the f/2.4 Summarit, but I’m guessing it’s fantastic. I really haven’t run into a Leica glass that wasn’t. I like the fact it’s a bit cheaper too then a Summicron!
John, I am really grate to you for your quick reply. Thanks a lot. I will look this video again this evening. To understand all better
John - I really enjoy your videos. Thanks!
M4-2 (or M4-P) with a set of Minolta CLE lenses and you're in low cost Leica heaven.
Edward Wingate might as well just have a Minolta CLE at that point or a CLE with Leica glass
Now price is double
i shoot my M4 with a canon ltm 50mm (the japanese summilux). and its the bomb. i think its cheaper than voigtlanders
I like your beginning presentation. You're the one encouraging everyone to go get a Fuji Xpro1 .
I own a Leica M4-P with Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 lens too!! Totally agree with Douglas! It's a great kit for those, who wants to get into Leica M camera.
Exactly!!!
Dog babies are the best ... no need to apologize. :)
Very interesting
Hi, I enjoyed your video.
Did you actually shoot that famous photo of Bernie from behind? With a Leica?
I saw a nice M4-P on eBay. Do you think the M4-2 is better? Why or why not?
Thanks!
PS I shoot digital, so I bought a Panasonic GX8 due to its similarity to the M4 I owned back in the 70s. Still trying it out.
KutWrite thanks for the comment! I actually shot the Bernie photo with my Fuji x-pro1. To answer your Leica question, I actually have never shot the m4-p, but I love the m4-2. It is a simply beautiful experience to shoot and usually a bargain for Leica bodies. Also, glad to see you’re a mirrorless fan too.
KutWrite: "I saw a nice M4-P on eBay. Do you think the M4-2 is better? Why or why not?"
I know this is likely too late, but the M4-2 and M4-P are very similar. A major cosmetic difference is the M4-P has a big red Leica badge on the front of the camera. I have an M4-2 and cover the "Leica" and "M4-2" labelling with electrical tape. I'm Canadian and my Holy Grail Leica is a made in Midland, Ontario black chrome M-4 (no labelling on the front of the camera at all). The big optical/mechanical difference is that the M4-P added frame lines for a 28mm lens. Some folks say that this makes the viewfinder too cluttered, but if you plan on using a 28mm often, it might be the better way to go. For myself, I use a CV 35mm f/1.4 Nokton most of the time, and the frame lines for it on the M4-2 extend almost to the edge of the finder. Not sure how they squeezed the 28mm frame lines in on the M4-P.
U ARE THE MAN
Where exactly can you get a m4-2 for $800? I see most of them are sold at over $1000
Back in 2017, when this video was published. ✌️
that pic in the beginning with hypocrite communist sanders almost made me vomit
boo-hoo.
He’s not a communist and, despite the name of his party, he’s not even a socialist. He’s a social democrat. In most European countries he would be a centrist, maybe slightly left of centre. Your Overton window in the U.S. is way, way skewed.
By the way, how is he a hypocrite? I find him one of the more honest U.S. politicians.
@@52power My God, please research him. He plays the man of the people, but when shit goes down he does the bidding of the left (just look at how he let Killary Clinton be the nominee when he was clearly winning) and talks how Capitalism is evil, meanhwhile buying mansions for himself.