The Leica M4, introduced by Ernst Leitz GmbH Wetzlar in 1967, stands as one of the most revered rangefinder cameras in photography history. This mechanical marvel represents the pinnacle of German engineering, combining rugged reliability with uncompromising precision that continues to captivate photographers and collectors alike.
Historical Significance
The M4 emerged at a crucial moment in photography history, representing the culmination of Leica’s M-series development before the transition to more electronic cameras. It succeeded the highly successful M3 and M2 models, incorporating refined features from both while introducing its own improvements. The camera was produced in Wetzlar, Germany, from 1967 to 1975, after which production moved to Canada.
What makes the M4 historically significant is its position as the last traditionally crafted M-series Leica, manufactured using the old-world craftsmanship that made Leica famous. Each camera was assembled by hand, with technicians carefully fitting and adjusting components to achieve the legendary Leica precision.
Engineering Excellence
Building upon the success of the M3, Leica introduced the M2 in 1958. While sharing many similarities with the M3, the M2 offered a more streamlined design and a wider.72x viewfinder magnification. This reduction in magnification from the M3’s.90x allowed the viewfinder to display framelines for the 35mm focal length, a popular choice among photographers. The M2 also featured different framelines (35, 50, and 90mm) and a manually reset exposure counter, distinguishing it from the M3. The M2 represented a move towards greater practicality for photographers who frequently used wider lenses.
The M4 was designed to synthesize the most desirable aspects of its predecessors while introducing several key improvements aimed at enhancing the photographer’s experience. Approximately 58,000 units of the M4 were produced, a significant number that places it between the more widely produced M3 (around 225,000) and the slightly less common M2 (around 83,000).
A truly innovative analog camera
The Leica M4 incorporated several innovative features that set it apart and contributed to its enduring appeal. One of the most significant enhancements was its.72x magnification viewfinder, which included framelines for 35mm, 50mm, 90mm, and 135mm lenses. This was a crucial improvement over the M3, which lacked dedicated 35mm framelines, often necessitating the use of an external viewfinder for this popular focal length. The inclusion of the 35mm frameline significantly broadened the M4’s versatility, making it well-suited for a wider range of photographic applications, particularly street photography and reportage.
Another key innovation was the introduction of a three-pronged “rapid load” system. This ingenious design eliminated the need for a separate, removable take-up spool, streamlining the film loading process and making it considerably faster and more convenient compared to the M3’s more intricate loading mechanism. This user-friendly feature was particularly appreciated by working photographers who needed to change film rolls quickly in dynamic shooting environments.
Key Developments
The M4 introduced several significant improvements over its predecessors:
- A more ergonomic rapid-advance lever that could be operated in a single stroke
- An improved rewind crank replacing the older knob design
- A redesigned film loading system that made film insertion more straightforward
- A new self-timer mechanism
- An improved viewfinder design with better visibility
Lens Compatibility
The M4’s bayonet mount accepts an impressive array of Leitz optics, from the ultra-wide 21mm Super-Angulon to the telephoto 135mm Elmarit. This versatility, combined with the camera’s compact form factor, makes it an ideal tool for everything from street photography to portraiture.
Already the Leica M3 marked a significant departure from Leica’s earlier screw-mount cameras, introducing the innovative bayonet mount. This new mount allowed photographers to change lenses much more quickly and provided a more secure connection. The ‘M’ in the name stood for ‘Messsucher,’ the German word for rangefinder, highlighting the camera’s focusing mechanism. The M3 also boasted other groundbreaking features, including a single window for both the viewfinder (composition) and the rangefinder (focusing), as well as a double-stroke film advance lever, which was later updated to a more convenient single-stroke lever in subsequent models. The introduction of the M mount and the M3 laid the groundwork for a series of M cameras that would retain many of these fundamental concepts for over forty years.
For Collectors
Further refining the user experience, the M4 incorporated a redesigned film advance lever that offered a more contemporary look and feel. While maintaining the smooth and precise mechanical operation characteristic of Leica cameras, the updated lever contributed to a more modern ergonomic design. The M4 also retained the reliable frame counter from the M3, which automatically reset upon reloading the camera, ensuring ease of use for photographers tracking their exposures. Notably, the Leica M4 was the last M camera of its era to feature an engraved “Leica” script logo on the top plate, a detail that contributes to its classic aesthetic and is highly valued by collectors who appreciate traditional craftsmanship. It is also important to note that the original M4 was an unmetered camera, reflecting the prevailing photographic practices of the time, where photographers often relied on external light meters or their understanding of the sunny sixteen rule to determine exposure. These unique features and design elements collectively solidified the Leica M4’s reputation as a highly functional and desirable camera for a wide range of photographers.
Most known users
The Leica M4’s legacy is further cemented by its association with numerous iconic photographers who relied on it to capture some of the most memorable images of the 20th century. Among them, Garry Winogrand stands out as perhaps the most prominent user of the M4. Known for his prolific street photography and his ability to capture the dynamic energy of American life in the mid-20th century, Winogrand reportedly shot over a million photographs with his 35mm Leica, with the M4 being his primary tool, often paired with a 28mm lens. His spontaneous “snapshot aesthetic” and his relentless pursuit of capturing life as it unfolded made the M4, with its quick handling and discreet nature, an ideal companion. Anecdotes about Winogrand often mention the well-worn condition of his M4, a testament to its durability and the sheer volume of film he ran through it. His work serves as a powerful example of the M4’s capabilities in the hands of a master of street photography.
Richard Kalvar is another distinguished street photographer who frequently used the Leica M4, typically with a 35mm lens. Known for his quirky and often humorous observations of everyday life, Kalvar’s work, often associated with Magnum Photos, highlights the M4’s versatility in capturing nuanced moments with precision and clarity. His ability to find the “odd moments” in ordinary situations, often with a touch of irony, demonstrates the M4’s suitability for a photographer with a keen eye for the subtleties of human interaction.
Conclusion
The Leica M4 stands as a testament to what can be achieved through uncompromising dedication to quality and precision engineering. For collectors and photographers alike, it represents more than just a camera – it’s a piece of photographic history that continues to be relevant in the modern era. Whether displayed proudly in a collection or used actively in the field, the M4 remains one of the most respected and sought-after rangefinder cameras ever produced.