andreas_wirth

<p>Since I opened this thread 2 years ago, I was looking from time to time for a camera of this type. It had to be an M4-2, that was sure. Why? Because I liked its story and after all, it is a beautiful camera without gimmicks and purely mechanical. Today I found one and bought it. It has been manufactured 32 years ago (1980) and is one of the later production since it ended in 1980 I believe. So I am quite sure to have a robust camera for many many years to come ... provided films still exist.</p>

<p>Thank you for your help.<br>

@Francisco and Knut: In fact it is the 270th camera that was produced, so it is a <strong>very </strong>early one. The vendor (Leicashop in Vienna) told me that CLA was made (he did not say who) and several other repairs. He could not tell me exactly what was made, because he would have to "search" in his papers. Anyway, he promised a readjustment and gives a 6 month warranty. But I am not willing to become a daily visitor to this shop because something is wrong with the M4-2. When this work is done (~ 1 week), he will call me, and then I can decide.<br>

@Steve: You are right, I'll probably never use the 1/8th sec., but what problem comes next?</p>

<p>Today, at a visit at the local photo dealer, I had an early Leica M4-2 camera in my hands. The camera is realy beautifull, no scratches and almost no signs of wear. Days before, I read some bloggs and forum comments on this type of camera and the general consensus is, that early models should be avoided. The viewfinder is clear but the shutter seemed not to work correctly at 1/8 s (shutter was to fast without the specific noise for shutter times below 1/30s). The vendor told me that it was recently cleaned and adjusted (CLA), so I wonder why this problem arrises. Has anyone made bad experiences with early M4-2?</p>

<p>Leica IIIa, Summar</p><div></div>

<p>M3, cron coll. Kodak 400 ASA</p><div></div>

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The server returned an invalid or incomplete response.<div></div>

<p>one more try</p>

<p>Leica IIIa and Summar from 1938</p>

<p>Flower exhibition in Schlosshof, lower Austria. Leica M3, Summicron coll.</p><div></div>

Hello

 

My photo dealer offers a Canon collapsible lens for LTM (from 1954). This lens seems to me an alternative to the

collapsible Elmar 5cm/3,5 because aperture is much easier to manipulate. As much as I could find out in the

internet, this lens is of the tessar type and hense similar to the mentioned Elmar. Could anyone tell me what the

characteristics of this lens are or post some example shots with this lens, so I can get an impression of its qualtities

and weaknesses. Thanks.

One more try ...<div></div>

@ Bill

I scanned the negative with a Nikon Coolscan V. So I think, the problem is probably overexposure. The lens is clean (no fog), some minor scratches on the front lens and a deeper scratsh on the rear lens. Other images on the same film do not show (or less) this washed out colors and some others do. The next picture shows the same effect on the upper right corner.

Thanks for the many contributions, it was a pleasure to read them. I'll take care for overexposure the next time. The film I normally use (200 ASA) is a no-name product from a drug store (DM), but in view of its reddish color, I believe it is a Kodak film. Just one last question, when is vignetting stronger, at f2 or at f12,5?

Hello

 

This is my first post in this forum. One year ago, I bought a Leica IIIa with a summar lens. I know that this lens is

very prone to flare, so I take care to have the sun always in my back. I do not use a hood for this lens, since it is

too large for me to carry around. Most photos I take show an effect which looks like the colors are washed out in

the center of the image. Is it flare or does my lens have some problems (the summar lens is from 1938 and not

coated). I had it cleaned a few weeks ago by a professional leica dealer, so there is no fungus on the lens.

Thanks for your help!<div></div>