Leica M4-P
Leica M4-P
I’m very new to the whole film photography world. Even though I have been doing photography for almost the better part of a decade, It never crossed my mind to make the move to analog. That was until one day I discovered a lens to put on my Sony A7III, which can help create that “film” look to it. This lens was similar to the dispo-lens, which is just a lens for your digital camera that came from a disposable camera. And although it worked well for what I wanted, It was really the gateway that opened the door to film photography for me.
Without getting too deep into this topic, before purchasing this Leica M4-P, I had the following: Minolta SRT-101, Canonet QL17 GIII, Olympus Stylus and a Pentax IQ Zoom. I know those later ones are point and shoot, but it still stands. I also own and use a Pentax 6x7 MLU, but that is mainly used for 120 film(135 can be used in it, but I can touch on that in a separate post).
My experience is limited with using 135 format(35mm) cameras. However, the rangefinder caught on to me once I started using the Canonet. I unfortunately found it a bit limiting. I did have it “CLA’d”, but the viewfinder focus patch was difficult to see. The use for it just wasn’t as intuitive for me as I would have liked and the lack of being able to switch out lenses made me feel mentally limited. But the overall rangefinder experience had me hooked, and instantly a Leica was on my radar. This was after telling myself I would never buy a Leica, because why spend that much on a camera?
After spending countless hours reading up on Leica’s I was still undecided. I thought I was going to want a lightmeter, so a Leica M5 was first on my radar. However, they scarcity of parts that is occurring and the dying electronics of the rangefinder had me shy away from it. Additionally, a lot of the places that service Leica’s refuse to service an M5. Its difficult to repair(so i’ve heard) and the parts are very hard to come by now. This then got me looking into an M3, M4 or M6. An M6 came up on was a front runner for me, but I just couldn’t muster up the courage to spend that much money on an M6. It had everything I wanted, but more than I was willing to spend. The M3 and M4 fit me perfectly and it was just my personal preference that made me go the M4 route over an M3. Specifically, I went with an M4-P. Going over everything about this camera is kind of useless, as it is essentially an M6. So its not unique in its own way from the most popular Leica. Everything is pretty much the same, the only difference is that it is missing a light meter compared to the M6.
Obviously not having a light meter did scare me a bit. But I thought there would be no better way to finally learn the “sunny 16” rule other than by throwing myself at an insanely expensive camera without a light meter. Nothing like wasting time and money all at once, right?
Anyway, not having a light meter wasn’t much of an issue, as I was already used to exposing using a light meter app on my iPhone since I have been using the Pentax 6x7. I also could have gone with a hot shoe mount light meter, but I just wasn’t interested in shelling out another $200 - $300 for something I can do my phone reliably. Also, I’ll be goi f by the Sunny 16 rule like I mention above.
This is just my initial review after a few uses, but I do have to say that using the camera is great. Everything works as it should, and the build quality is excellent. Its much more intuitive for me to use, and I can also use my preferred 28mm focal length (Voigtlander Ultron 28mm f/2 Version I). Its a Leica, so what’s not to like about it? I will say that I don’t think I totally understand the hype around it. But the quality of the camera is definitely top tier. Yes, I understand Leica’s are world famous, used by celebrities and well known photographers. But if you were to take that aspect out then I don’t think they hype would be as high as it is. With that being said, the cameras are worth what people are willing to pay. I clearly paid, so maybe I cant judge as hard as I am. But there isn’t any dissatisfaction so far on my end. Once the 6 month mark comes up with this camera, I will give a more in depth review. Then again after a year. But I have a feeling this is going to be the camera that is by my side for a very long time.
