Leica M4-P
The Leica M4-P (the "P" stands for "professional"), introduced at Photokina 1980492 in late 1980, succeeded the Leica M4-2360. The viewfinder display was updated to include two new brightline frames: a 28mm frame, which appeared alongside the 90mm frame, and a 75mm frame, shown with the 50mm frame271. As a result, the Leica M4-P covers six fields of view: 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, 90mm, and 135mm360. Some critics argued that the added frameline functions made the Leica M4-P more complicated and less user-friendly311. Other than these updates, the Leica M4-P is very similar to the Leica M4-2360.
All cameras were produced in Canada, except for the last few341. The last thousand Leica M4-P cameras were produced in Wetzlar, with serial numbers ranging from 1691951 to 1692950311. The Canadian Leica M4-P models were mostly produced in black chrome, making the few silver chrome variants much more valuable311. The Leica M4-P was compatible with a motor drive311.
Catalogue Number
10415 - Leica M4-P, in black chrome finish, body only534.
10416 - Leica M4-P, in chrome finish, body only534.
Height and Weight
Leica M4-P had a height of 77mm, length of 138mm and width of 36mm191. Viewfinder magnification was 0.72x and rangefinder base length was 48.0mm. Weight was 545g191.
M4-P "Half-frame"
Half-frame version of Leica M4-P camera, with serial number 11551999 from an ex-Elcan employee's collection, was sold for 43200 Euros including buyer's premium at the 45th Leitz Photographica Auction on November 23, 2024378. The camera was one of the very few examples made by Ernst Leitz Canada for testing purposes378. It was engraved with "18x24" on the top plate and featured a film counter with capacity of 80 shots378.
One more camera of this kind, with Leicameter D, and prototype E49 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M number 448-004, was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014594. It was engraved with "18x24" on the top plate and featured a film counter594.
M4-P "Mount Everest"
This special edition was produced in 1982 and had an engraved Everest logo after a Canadian expedition's successful climb of Mount Everest357. The 200534 special models were only sold in North American market357.
Among known examples were: 1550445, 1586379, 1586409, 1586412, 1586440, 1586495, 1586565, 1586577, 1586581, 1586582, 1586627, 1586715, 1587144, 1587160, 1587163, 1587815, 1588424, 1590297
M4-P "70 Years Ur-Leica"
This special edition was produced in 1983 in limited quantity of 2500 cameras122,355,357. The silver chrome M4-P had special 1913-1983 engraving commemorating the 70th year of rangefinder photography (completion of the Ur-Leica)122,355,357. It featured special numbering122,355,357. These emblems were also engraved on the front of the black base cover122,355,357. A certificate of authenticity and two postcards were also supplied494. The specially engraved Leica M4-P cameras could be purchased in a choice of three "sets":
1. Silver chrome Leica M4-P body, matching MR-4 meter, black 50mm f/2 Summicron-M, black M4-P winder and a special Combi case at a suggested price of 2691 USD in 1981 equivalent495
2. Silver chrome Leica M4-P body, matching MR-4 meter, black 50mm f/1.4 Summilux, black 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M, black M4-P winder and a special Combi case at a suggested price of 3943 USD in 1981 equivalent495
3. Silver chrome Leica M4-P body, matching MR-4 meter, black 35mm f/2 Summicron-M, black 90mm f/2 Summicron-M, black M4-P winder and a special Combi case at a suggested price of 3283 USD in 1981 equivalent495
M4-P "Top Dealer Award"
This special edition was produced in 1983357. This model was part of a special series of the "70 Years of Ur-Leica" cameras357. A limited number of these cameras were presented to the most successful Leica dealers, featuring the special engraving "TOP DEALER AWARD" on the base cover357. These particular cameras were delivered to dealers in Italy357.
Among known examples were:
- L 004 featured on wetzlar-historica-italia.it page
- 1620164 (L 007) auctioned off on May 29, 2010 at the WestLicht Camera Auction
M4-P "Press '84"
This special edition was produced in 1984357. It was available in black and included the engraving "Press '84" centered on the back of the base cover357. These cameras were provided to professional press photographers for documenting significant events such as the Sarajevo Winter Olympics, the Los Angeles Summer Olympics, and both the Republican and Democratic National Nominating Conventions for the U.S. presidential election357.
Among known examples were: 1549730, 1622040
Closing remarks
Leica M4-P was manufactured between 1980 and 1987439. There were 21685 Leica M4-P cameras made, with serial numbers ranging from 1543351 through 1692950439.