Dan Kerin

 Leica M4

The Leica M4 was the successor to the famed Leica M3, being produced from 1967 until 1975. This was Leica’s last camera to be mass produced while still being hand assembled. Some improvements over the Leica M3 were the inclusion of 35mm frame lines, a feature which made the Leica M2 so popular. This allowed the M4 the ability to use 35mm, 50mm, 90mm and 135mm lenses without the need for an external viewfinder. In addition to this the camera had a redesigned advance lever, rewind crank and film spool making it quicker to both shoot and load. Leica even reverted back to this design after the failed Leica M5, with the Leica M4-2. This was a cheaper alternative, which many favoured over the M5 and saved Leica from bankruptcy in the 1970’s. The Leica M4-2 was then succeeded by the Leica M4-P in 1981 which added the popular 28mm frame line and paved the way for the iconic M6.

I have always wanted an M4 and with prices only going up I felt like now was a good time to invest and treat myself. I find myself using the M4 with my 28mm lens and reserved the M3 for when I shoot with a 50mm, as the longer rangefinder base length is more ideal for nailing focus when wide open. The M4 is a joy to shoot with and in my opinion is more comfortable to use than the M3 due to the updated design. I still stand by that the viewfinder in the M3 is superior, however for me shooting F/8 on a 28mm it’s not the end of the world.

Since I got into film photography and since purchasing my first Leica back in 2016 prices have only been going up. So, my recommendation is if you are thinking about purchasing an M4 or any Leica for that matter make the decision sooner rather than later. As with all Leica’s if you are planning on using this daily, I would not go for a black M4, chrome or paint as both have a higher asking price. My M4 is a black re-paint and while it is a very good re-paint (even being mistaken for an original M4 black paint by an assistant at the Leica store in Mayfair!) If the re-paint has not been done well this can harm the value of the camera.

The Leica M4 is hands down my favourite Leica. Though the Leica M3 is a classic and many people regard the Leica M6 as the best of the best I would have to disagree. For me the Leica M4 was Leica’s final hurrah in an all mechanical, handmade camera.