Dan Kerin

 Leica M4-P

For many people eager to enter the Leica M ecosystem the Leica M4-2 and M4-P are two options that are appealing due to their lower prices (in 2023). The Leica M4-2 and M4-P came at a time when Leica was struggling financially after the introduction of the M5. Produced between 1981 and 1986 the M4-P had a shorter production run compared to most other Leica M cameras; however, it did set the stage for the Leica M6 which was essentially a Leica M4-P with a built-in light meter. The Leica M4-P was mainly produced in Canada however in 1986, 770 cameras were produced in a limited batch in Wetzlar, Germany.

The Leica M4-2 and M4-P are very similar cameras however the biggest difference is the M4-P has 28mm and 75mm framelines. This means it can be used with a wider range of lenses without the need for an external viewfinder. I found the 28mm framelines to be very close to the edges and would still choose to use an external viewfinder for this focal length. In addition to the framelines the Leica M4-P also has a hot-shoe, while the M4-2 has a cold-shoe. This can be helpful if you plan on doing a lot of flash photography. Being produced in Canada people may be hesitant of the build compared to German built Leica’s however from using this I can confirm it feels just like a Leica should, though I found my M4 to be smoother when advancing the film but this could be due to the M4-P not being CLA’d in a while. The design of the Leica M4-P allowed for automatic and rapid winders such as the Leica winder motor and the Leicavit. From using the Leicavit for a little while I would just stick to the standard bottom plate as I didn’t find it added anything but weight to the shooting experience.

The Leica M4-P is a great doorway into the Leica M ecosystem. Though prices have risen more than other Leica cameras such as the M2 and M3, this can be attributed to the more modern design and the addition of more framelines. While the M2 and M3 are fantastic cameras the selection of frame lines can be limiting, especially if you like using a wide range of lenses. For this reason, I think the M4-P is one of the most well-rounded Leica’s while still being relatively affordable.