Leica M4-p User manual

You are tlre owner
of a LEICA@

We hope that you will obtain as much
enjoyment from it as all the many LEICA
fans in every country of the globe.



As a LEICA owner you have the benefit of
a universal photographic system, which
also covers the technical and scientific
field. In its widest sense,  it includes the
well-known LEITZ enlargers and LEITZ
miniature projectors. The projected image,
huge, luminous, and realistic, reveals the
full beauty of your colour photographs,
and never fails to fascinate you and your
friends. May your LEICA be a constant
source of pleasure to you.



Yours sincerely
ERNST LEITZ WETZLAR GMBH
                      www.orphancameras.com

Contents





                                Page                                   Page
Description of the LEICA M 4-2 . .. .. .  4   The LEICA system
Fitting the carrying strap             6   The exposure meter ...   .
How to hold the LEICA              6  The interchangeable lenses         24
The bright-line measuring viewfinder I   LEICA M 4-2 winder     ....,......   25
The  f ield-of-view selector              10   VISOFLEX@. Focusing bellows  . .....  26
The rangefinder                       12   Lens hoods. Cases           ......  27
The rapid transport lever, release        Enlargers                         28
button, and shutter speed dial          14   Projectors ...                ......29
The depth-of-field scale                15   LEITZ Service              ......30
The distance scale. The aperture scale  16  LEICA Fotografie Magazine   .... 30
Taking out the lens. Inserting the lens 17   LEITZ lnformation Service    .....  31
Flash synchronization                 18  LEICA School                       .. 31
Flash table                                                                                                                              ''t I
Inserting the film                     20
Removing the film                        21
Looking after your LEICA and its
lenses                                22

Fitting the carrying sfrap
The eyelets (17) are provided for fitting   Thread the leather holders through the
the carrying strap. Release the double d-   slots in the metal parts and secure them
back length of leather from the round part   with the round part of the shackle.
of the shackle, push off both metal parts
and hook them in the eyelets of the
camera in opposite directions.





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How to hold the LEICA
For steady three-point support hold your   For upright views all you have to do is                                                                              o.camera with your right hand, your index   to rotate the camera through 90   The
finger resting on the release button, your   position of your hands is the same as for
thumb on the rapid-transport lever. The   horizontal views.
left hand either supports the lens from  You can also rotate the camera in the
below, ready for quick refocusing, or  it   opposite direction, then you must use
grasps the camera. In addition press the   your thumb to release the shutter.
camera against your forehead.

LEICA-Winder M 4-2
The bright-line measuring viewfinder of   of the viewfinder field. All the lenses of
the LEICA M 4-P has been designed to  21-135mm focal length are coupled with
combine the functions of a coupled range-   the rangefinder on insertion in the LEICA.
finder and of a viewfinder of outstanding  When lenses of 28, 35, 50, 75, 90, and
quality. Whatever you see within the bright  135 mm focal length are inserted, the
frame will appear on your exposed film.   appropriate bright-line frames will auto-
The bright-line frame is coupled with the                                            matically appear in the viewfinder image
rangefinder so that the parallax - the dif-   in the combinations 28 + 90 mm, 35 *ference between the lens axis and the                                         135 mm, and 50 * 75 mm.                                com-viewfinder axis -  is automaticallfpensated.
The measuring field, brighter than the
surrounding field, is located in the centre

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The  f ield-of-view selector               35 mm
The field-of-view selector (14) functions
as a universal viewfinder; it enables the
LEICA owner at any time to reflect into
the viewfinder field the frames outlining
the fields-of-view other than that of the
lens that happens to be in the camera.
Lever outward: field-of-view frames for
35 and 135mm focal lengths. Lever in-
ward: field-of-view frame for the 28 and
90 mm focal lengths. Lever in the middle
position:  f ield-of-view  f rame for the 50 and
75 mm focal lengths.

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The rangefinder                          Coincidence (double image) focusing: in
The measuring field of the rangefinder   portraiture, for instance, focus on the
appears in the centre of the viewfinder as   highlight in the sitter's eye. Observe the
a bright, sharply outlined oblong.  lf you   subject through the viewfinder and rotate
block the large field window (15) of the   the lens until the double contours in the
viewfinder, only the reflected bright-line   measuring field coincide.
frame and the measuring field remain   Split-image focusing: Sight an edge or
visible. Focusing can be carried out ac-   any other clearcut line; if you find that
cording to the coincidence or to the split-    this line is offset sideways as it enters the
image method.                           measuring field, rotate the lens until the
                                           line becomes continuous as it passes
                                     from the viewfinder- into the measuring
                                                    field and out again. This method is to be
                                           preferred because of its superior accu-
                                               racy.
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The rapid winding lever (3) at         The shutter speed dial (5) controls thelever movement transports the""*"rrltfilm   shutter speed and can be set either be-
through one frame, winds the shutter and   fore or after the shutter is wound.  lt clicks
advances the frame counter to the next  home at every engraved speed value and
number. The film can also be transported   except for the range between 8 and 15
by several short strokes of the transport   any intermediate speeds can be set andlever. ( g   :  film plane indication).        are fully effective. At the "B" setting the
The release button (2) has a thread tor a   shutter remains open as long as the re-
cable release (Code No. 14067).lt should   lease button is pressed. The dial must be
                                                                              :   l/so s€c. whenbe pressed smoothly, without a jerk, until   set at the symbol ,
its soft click indicates that the shutter is   electronic flash is used.
released.


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The LEICA lenses have a fixed ring with
depth-of-field scale (10), a rotatable ring
for setting the focusing distance (11) and
an iris diaphragm ring (12).





The distance scale
The distance scale (11) indicates the dis-   down; the values have been chosen so
tance on which the lens is set, and, in    that the quantity of light reaching the film
connection with the depth-of-field scale    is halved every time the lens is stopped
(10), the extent of the depth of field. The   down one step. One aperture step is equi-
distance is also important to the calcula-   valent to one step on the shutter speed
tion of the guide number during the use   dial (5) regarding the adjustment of the
of flash equipment.                                 light quantity to which the film is exposed.
                                          Like the shutter speed dial, the lens dia-
                                    phragm ring clicks into position opposite
                                        each number (some diaphragm rings also
                                            at half values). This will enable you, after
The aperture scale                   some practice, to identify the setting of
The aperture scale is internationally laid   the diaphragm even in the dark.

                                                                                                     15

The depth-of-field scale
The lens reproduces at maximum sharp-  The depth-of-field scale indicates the
ness the plane, parallel to the film, on   depth-of-field zone for the object dis-
which it is focused. This maximum sharp-   tance on which the lens is focused.
ness falls off gradually towards the front   With the 50mm SUMMICRON@ f/2 focused
and rear; within a certain depth, then, the   on 5m (16ft,8in), sharpness attl4 extends
subject will appear sharp. This depth of   from 4m to about 8m (13ft. 4in to about
field depends on the camera distance, the    26ft. 8in). However,  if you stop down to
focal length of the lens, and the lens stop         f /11 at the same focusing distance, sharp-
set. Stopping down the lens increases,   ness will extend from 3m to about 20m
opening it up decreases the depth of field.     (1Oft. to about 67ft.).



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'              Ret.-Nr L24790-110
Inserting the lens                         Taking out the lens
The red knob on the lens mount (8) must   Grip the rear, fixed ring (10) of the lens.
face the red dot on the camera body. Af-   Depress arresting button (7), rotate the
ter a short turn to the right the lens will    lens to the left and take it out.
engage in the bayonet mount with a click.
Change lenses in the shade (e.9. of your
own body).
Remove the lens cap before you take pic-
tures.





                                                                                             17

Flash synchronization
The LEICA M 4-P accepts all flash units   Flash units and adapters without cable
on the market with standard flash plugs   connection can be connected through the
(coaxial plug) or with accessory-shoe   "X" flash contact in the accessory shoe
contact.                                                      (e).
The bushes for the cable connection of   Flash cubes and certain types of flash-
flash units are arranged on the back of   bulb are fired through the X contact bush.
the camera. Flashbulbs are connected to  The table on the right offers information
the left-hand bush (20) marked "M", and   about the various possibilities. Three flash
electronic flash units on the right-hand    units may be used simultaneously through
bush marked "X" (21).                        the 3 flash connections.



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Inserting the film
First make sure, by turning the rewind   Take the camera in your left hand, base-
crank (16) in the direction of the arrow,    plate facing you. Pull out the toggle in the
that the camera is empty.  lf you feel any   baseplate (19), turn it to the left, and re-
resistance, proceed as described on the   move the baseplate. The film lead must be
following page.                         trimmed like that of all films sold in car-
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tridges. Take the cartridge or cassette in   Removing the film
your right hand and insert it about half-   After the exposure of the last frame the
way into the space provided for it in the   rapid transport lever (3) can no longer be
camera, grip the film lead, and pull  it   moved. The film must now be rewound.
into the take-up spool*. Push film cartridge   Move the lever (4) to "R". Unfold the re-
and lead into the camera with the palm of   wind crank (16) and rotate it in the direc-
your hand. Hinge the baseplate on to the   tion of the arrow until the film is wound
lug at the side of the camera, close  it,   back into the cassette. Open baseplate
and lock it by means of the toggle (19).   and remove the film cassette-
The baseplate is designed so that after it
is fixed on the camera it adjusts the film in
its correct position. Transport the film
through two frames and release the shut-
ter. Tension the film after the second
shutter-wind by rotating the rewind crank
(16). The film is transported correctly  if
the rewind crank (16) turns against the
direction of the arrow during film trans-
port. After the third shutter-wind the auto-
matic frame counter (1) points at 1 and
the camera is ready for action.                                                                                      lfBet.-NrtheL24788-110film is not securely attached to the cartridge
                                                          spool, e.g. when bulk film is used, the film is liable to
" Only at temperatures below freezing must the film be    tear off, when it will have to be removed from the  inserted in the LEICA according to the diagrammatic     take-up spool.
  representation,  i.e. the film lead must be caught by   Remove ihe baseplate of the'camera in a completely
  only one slot of the take-up spool; any portion pro-   dark room. Hold the camera with the open bottom
  truding through the second slot beyond the take-up    facing downwards. Actuate the rapid transport lever
  spool is liable to break off at low temperatures. ln    slowly several times until the film protrudes from the
  normal conditions the film lead can be threaded    camera far enough to be gripped by hand and taken  through the take-up spool until it touches the wall    out. lf necessary, tap the camera against your hand
  of the housing.                                                slightly to assist this movement.

                                                                                                             21

Looking after your LEICA and its lenses



LEICA lenses act like burning glasses if   Dust should be removed with a soft sable
the LEICA lies with the lens face upwards    brush, a piece of cotton cloth (e.g.a hand-
in full sunlight. You must therefore pro-   kerchief) washed several times, or lens
tect the housing and the shutter by putting   tissue. Special cleaning cloths, such as
on the lens cap or keeping the camera in   are used for the cleaning of spectacles,
a case, or in the shade.                     are not recommended, as they are chemi-
Each lens has, in addition td its type, its   cally impregnated and might attack the
"personal" serial number engraved on  it.   lens surface (glass used for spectacles
You should make a note of this number  has a composition different from that of
as well as of the serial number of the   optical glass for high-quality lenses).
camera engraved on the top of the LEICA.  A colourless UVa filter can be left per-
This can be very helpful indeed in case of   manently on the lens, where it will pro-
loss or theft.                                tect the front element from external in-
The coating of LEICA lenses, together   fluences, e.g. of sand or sea water spray
with the use of special UV-absorbing ce-   on the beach.
ment. achieves effective exclusion of ultra-  The lens hood, too, protects the lens from
violet light. This ensures consequently   accidental finger marks and raindrops.
that all lenses possess the same colour-   Protect your precious lenses with the ap-
transmitting properties, inespective of fo-   propriate lens caps.
cal length. The external anti-reflection
coatings are wiperesistant.
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Interchangeable lenses
Besides the lenses of 28 to 135 mm focal   The optical units of the 135 mm lenses
lengths the LEICA owner has a whole   can be unscrewed and used for ground-
range of interchangeable lenses of shorter   glass screen focusing with the VISO-
and longer focal lengths at his command.   FLEX 3 and on the Focusing Bellows 2.





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Ret-Nr 24614-110
Thg LErcA-winder M 4-2
A winder for automatic shutter-wind and   speeds from 1to l/rooosec including B.
film transport for single frames of up to  When the winder is disconnected or the
3   f ps can be connected to the LEICA   batteries are exhausted the film and the
M 4-P, lt is attached to the bottom of the   shutter can also be wound manually.
camera housing in place of the baseplate.   Remote control via the cable release
The winder is suitable for all shutter   bush.





                                                                                             25

VISOFLEX                             The focusing bellows
The long-focal-length telephoto lenses of  The Focusing Bellows ll permits the use
200mm focal length and more, the 65mm    of almost all the LEICA lenses. High mag-
ELMAR@ f/3.5, €lhd the optical units of the    nifications are possible with the 35 and
135 mm lenses are used in conjunction  50mm lenses, with the 90mm lenses the
with the groundglass screen of the VISO-   reproduction range from co to 1 :1, and
FLEX@ attachment. Here as in macro-   with the 135 mm lenses the continuous
photography a groundglass screen offers   focusing range from co to 1 :1,5 is ob-
genuine advantages.                            tained.
Further details are contained in our list  Our list No" 160-1 contains further infor-
160-3.                                       mation.


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Lens hoods                           Camera cases
Various lens hoods of functional design   For the LEICA with standard lens the ever-
are available for the range of LEICA len-   ready case (Code No. 14546) is recom-
ses. Some of them can be reversed on the   mended. In addition, combination cases
lens. To the long-focal-length lenses the   are available for extensive photographic
lens hoods are permanently attached and    outfits. For further details see List No.
can be extended like a telescope. The   120-42.
lens should never be used without a
lens hood, which offers effective protec-
tion against stray light and flare, as well
as against rain drops and finger marks.




                                                                                             27

Reproduction





                                             Enlargers
                           A high-quality camera such as the LEICA
                                                calls for an enlarger of matching perfor-
                                  mance if this quality is not to be wasted"
                                       LEITZ have offer two well-tried top-quality
                                models with automatic focusing, the
                                        35 mm-only FOCOMAT@ V 35 enlarger for
                                       the 35 mm format only, and the FOCO-
                           MAT llc accommodating  all film formats
                                    from 12x17 mm to 6 x 9 cm.
                                   For detailed information please consult
                                          our Lists No. 170-2 and 170-9.

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