The Leica M4 is a 35 mm

rangefinder A rangefinder (also rangefinding telemeter, depending on the context) is a device used to Length measurement, measure distances to remote objects. Originally optical devices used in surveying, they soon found applications in other fields, suc ...

camera produced by

Ernst Leitz GmbH Ernst Leitz GmbH was a German corporation based in Wetzlar, a German centre for optics as well as an important location for the precision engineering industry. History Carl Kellner (optician), Carl Kellner, mechanic and self-taught mathematic ...

Leica M4

The M4 started production in November 1966, as the direct successor of the M3 and M2, featuring framelines for 35 mm, 50 mm, 90 mm and 135 mm lenses in a 0.72 magnification viewfinder. It has the frame counter of the M3, with automatic reset after reloading. The M4 was the last Leica rangefinder of this era to be predominantly hand-built. Three ergonomic modifications were introduced in the M4: * an articulating film advance lever, modernised self-timer and frame selection levers * an angled crank for rewinding the film that replaced the slow to use telescopic knob of the M3 * a faster loading system that does not require use of a removable spool Production of the Leica M4 ceased in 1975. An olive coloured Leica M4, originally designed for the West German Army, sold at auction in 2009 for €87,600.

Leica MDa

A scientific version without a viewfinder was made as the Leica MDa (similar to the

Leica M1 The Leica M1 is a 35 mm camera by Leica Camera AG, introduced in 1959. The M1 has a parallax-corrected viewfinder with frames for 35 and 50mm permanently displayed. 9431 were made. The M1, which followed the original M3 and later M2, was the ...

Leica M4-2, Leica M4-P, Leica MD-2

Production of the M4 stopped briefly in 1972. Its successor, the M5 had been introduced in 1971. However, the relatively bulky and expensive M5 met with a cool reception, and sales did not live up to Leica's expectations. Production of the M4 was therefore restarted quickly until 1975. In the year 1975, a special edition was made for Leica's 50th Anniversary, and in 1977 the company launched the updated M4-2, which was based on the M4's body, but with a streamlined production process that reduced manufacturing cost. The M4-2 added a

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and

motor drive A motor drive is a physical system that includes a motor. An adjustable speed motor drive is a system that includes a motor that has multiple operating speeds. A variable speed motor drive is a system that includes a motor that is continuously v ...

compatibility as standard, but removed the

self-timer A self-timer is a device on a camera that gives a delay between pressing the shutter (photography), shutter release and the shutter's firing. It is most commonly used to allow the photographer to take a photo of themselves (often with a group ...

. The M4-2 was followed in 1981 by the M4-P, which added framelines for 28 mm and 75 mm lenses. The range continued with the

Leica M6 The Leica M6 is a rangefinder camera manufactured by Leica from 1984 to 1998, followed by the M6 "TTL" manufactured from 1998 to 2002. In 2022, Leica introduced a new version of the M6, based on the technology of the Leica MP, but staying true to ...

in 1984, which was essentially an M4-P with through-the-lens (TTL) light metering. The M4-P finally ceased production in 1986 Starting in 1980, Leica also produced a simplified derivative of the M4-2 called the MD-2. Image:Leica MDa img 1841.jpg, Leica MDa Image:Leica M4 img 1878.jpg, Classic M4 with the rewinding crank well visible Image:Leica M4-2 with motor drive.jpg, Leica M4-2 with motor drive Image:Leica M4 P cropped.jpg, Leica M4-P Image:Leica M4 with curved lever.jpg, Leica M4 with M3-like levers, a popular cosmetic change

Most known users

Garry Winogrand Garry Winogrand (; January 14, 1928 – March 19, 1984) was an American street photographer, who portrayed U.S. life and its social issues in the mid-20th century. Photography curator, historian, and critic John Szarkowski called Winogrand the ...

, known for his prolific street photography and his ability to capture the dynamic energy of American life in the mid-20th century, reportedly shot over a million photographs with his Leica. Richard Kalvar is another street photographer who frequently used the Leica M4, typically with a 35 mm lens.

References

External links

{{Authority control M4 Leica rangefinder cameras de:Leica M4