Leica M4-2

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When Leica M4 was discontinued in 1975, it was replaced by Leica M4-2 produced in Midland, Ontario³⁶⁰. The Leica M4-2 was available in either chrome (rarer³¹¹) or anodized black finishes, and for a limited time in 1975, it featured engravings celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Leica I Model A³⁶⁰. 

Walter Kluck, the CEO of Leitz Canada, successfully convinced Leitz Germany to produce the Leica M4-2 with reduced production costs. Approximately one hundred units were manufactured in Wetzlar before production was transferred to Midland, Canada. The Leica M4-2 was created, and although it was only in production for a couple of years, it demonstrated to Leica the viability of the rangefinder³⁴¹.

The top and bottom plates of the Leica M4-2 were made of brass, employing a deep draw process similar to that used in previous M cameras³⁴¹.

From a technical standpoint, the Leica M4-2 differed from the Leica M4 in several key aspects: the self-timer was removed, and the accessory shoe was updated to include an X-contact for flash units, while the Leica M4 could only accept accessories like light meters in that position. Additionally, the Leica M4-2 was compatible with a motorized drive. In Canada, production, which had previously been located solely in Germany, was significantly optimized for efficiency. Despite being manufactured in Canada, the quality of the Leica M4-2 quickly equaled that of the German models³⁴¹.

Height and Weight

It has a height of 77 mm, a length of 138 mm, and a width of 36 mm. The viewfinder magnification is 0.72x, and the rangefinder base length is 48.0 mm. The weight is 525 g¹⁹¹.

Closing Remarks

Leica M4-2 was discontinued in 1980¹⁹¹.

Special Editions of Leica M4-2: ^{92, 355, 357}