First Shots With My New Used Leica M4

I really needed to buy a new camera...

No not really, let's start this story correctly.

When I went on my assignment to South Africa I only took digital cameras with me, The Fujifilm X-Pro1 and the Fujifilm X100F, assuming that it would be quite difficult, if not impossible to buy film and find a film processing lab in Johannesburg.

I was wrong: since I couldn't help myself, I started Googling for labs and actually found one about 30 minutes drive from the office where I work. That's when GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) started popping up its head again. At this time, however, it was just 'gas' and not yet 'GAS'.

Next thing that happened was that I went to Kameraz in Rosebank Mall to buy a used 35mm (50mm full frame equivalent) lens for the X-Pro1. That is when I saw it, or rather...them. In their 'used' department the shop had a Leica M3 and a Leica M4 for sale. And, as I learned later through research on eBay and other used camera sales sites in the US and Europe, at quite good price points.

I purchased the 35mm I came for and went back to my apartment. But the seed had been planted. I love to shoot film, I can buy film here and have it developed, and there are these beautiful film cameras for sale at an affordable price. My 'gas' was becoming 'GAS'. It took me a couple of weeks of pondering, researching pricing, convincing myself that I did not need an additional camera (didn't work), convincing myself that this was a great opportunity to acquire a Leica (which it actually was).

So here it is!

Going back to Kameraz I inspected both the M3 and the M4. Based upon the information I had obtained before purchasing, I eventually opted for the M4 and the Summaron 35mm f/2.8 (which also, after some haggling, came at the right price).

Back in my apartment I loaded a roll of Ilford Delta 400 and started to take some test shots.

Now that I have the camera for a couple of weeks I can share my first impressions using the Leica M4 and the results of the test roll.

The Camera

First of all: this is not a new camera. The M4 was produced from 1966 to 1975 (the serial number on mine indicates it is from 1967) and a lot of information and reviews are already available. This is not a technical review, but a subjective overview of my findings regarding handling and image results.

The camera is in excellent condition: with only a very tiny piece of vulcanite missing, no dents, and a very small scratch on the bottom plate, I would rate this camera maybe not as Mint- but definitely an Exc++.

The first impression when holding this camera is that it is massive. Although not super big it has a hefty weight to it, which I like. It fits nicely in my hands and all controls are very easily accessible. Now keep in mind that there are only five controls that matter when making images: the shutter speed dial, the shutter release button, the film transport lever, and the aperture and focusing controls on the lens.

All controls are of excellent quality and work very smooth. It seems that some people 'complained' about the plastic tab attached to the film transport lever, but I rather like how it creates a small angle that makes using it a bit easier.

The two reasons I had to choose the M4 over the M3 were the number of frame lines (the M4 displays frame lines for 35, 50, 90 and 135 mm lenses) and the improved film take-up spool. While the M3 has a loose take-up spool that needs to be taken out of the camera before attaching the film to it, the M4 has an integrated take-up spool with 3 slots that grip the film. After watching a YouTube instruction on how to insert the film in the M4, it was pretty easy to do holding the camera in my left hand and inserting the film with my right.

Making images is very easy, focusing using the rangefinder or zone focusing and the shutter release is very smooth. The shutter is not silent, but the sound it makes is dismissible.

Because I wear glasses, the 35mm frame lines are a bit difficult to see in the viewfinder but since they cover almost the whole viewfinder anyhow this is not a problem. It is pretty clear to see what will be in the image and whatnot.

The Images

The Leica M4 is a fully mechanical camera without a light meter. Although working with the Sunny 16 rule can be easily done here in South Africa, I wanted to have a bit more certainty for my settings. I, therefore, used the Pocket Light Meter app on my phone to define my aperture/shutter speed combinations.

I had the film developed and scanned by The RGB Pixel Lab in Sandton.

The images below are a selection from the first test roll, and I am quite pleased with the results. Although I inspected the camera at purchase and it was CLA'd by the shop, the first thing I looked for was possible light leaks. Of which there were none.

Then, looking at the images and the notes I took when I made each image, it was clear that shutter speeds (high and low) are correct.

Conclusion

I am very happy that I had the opportunity to purchase this excellent condition Leica M4 at a great price. The next thing will be to put some color film through it because that is one of the reasons I like to make images on film.