Leica M6 vs Leica M4-P - What's the difference?

Slightly less rambling version you can read on the blog: criticalfocus....
In this video I compare the Leica M6 to the Leica M4-P. What's the difference between these two cameras besides one being made in Germany and the other in Canada? Is it worth the price of the upgrade?
Find me on Instagram: @nicktodayyy

[@DessieTots]

Let me stop you here 3:45. The M4-P was NOT built from "cheaper" parts. The components were high precision durable parts that could be put together without the need for the very labour intensive and ultimately expensive practice of 'fettling' or shaping those parts to fit smoothly as in the M3. Leica realised very quickly that a more economic method of production needed to be put in place. If not, their cameras would be priced out of the markets they were aiming at.

[@aslipperysnake]

very true, still amazing quality

[@silvestersze9968]

Can’t agree more! 🎉

[@FILMISNOTDEAD91]

The Leica m4-p is basically a m6 without a lightmeter

[@fangxusun1723]

machine made is more likely to break? it just doesn't convince me. All the airplanes and tanks are machine made.

[@akirsch76]

This M4-P has a brass top plate! You can see it on the windows! The flat windows are zinc and the inset windows are brass. Later M4-P cameras with zinc top plates look the same as the M6.

[@silvestersze9968]

Can’t agree more! 🎉

[@TarquinWyeth]

Actually the M4-P top plate changed after #1650026. The last 2223 rare cameras had the M6 top plate with "flush windows" with single flash port. Apparently Leica was testing the M6 zinc top plate on the M4-P. I happen to have one of these so I definetly won't be flogging it off for an M6 any time soon. Do you're research before making this type of review.

[@silvestersze9968]

Yes, can’t agree more! 🎉

[@simossosias3727]

Many batches of the M6 were made in Portugal, the Canadian factory was superior those days. To fit a light meter in the M6 concessions were made by using more plastic bearings in the mechanism and lower quality metals. You are guessing right.

[@Nerdzombiedisco]

Damn, your M4-P is a brass top version and looked to be in great shape. A shame you let it go, but hopefully the next owner with have it for years to come.

[@robertchestnut7020]

I have an m4-2 and I have had a m4-p. I actually sold the m4p because my m4-2 was in much better shape and I wanted to by a 35mm summicron. But to be honest the m4-2 and the m4p both felt the same in build quality. I also own a m3 and it truly is the best made camera I have ever used. the only camera that comes close to the build quality of the m3in my opinion is the Nikon f2sb that I also own.

[@angloitalo]

The Midland Ontario Canada M4-2 preceded the M4-P. The difference is the M4-P had a 28mm frame line in the viewfinder. I owned an M4-P that had the M6 window which was flush with the top plate. Being an old timer I still have my M4-2 that I bought in 1978!. Shutter needs an overhaul. Not a bad run for 40 years. By cheaper they used steel gears instead of brass gears. Some say the brass gears felt smoother. The black chrome may not have been as nice as say the chrome finish on the preceding Wetzlar cameras. Your video in good.

[@hijv]

Early models M4-p have brass tops. I had that version before my m6ttl and it is was a tad bit heavier for sure. Honestly if I still had the m4-p, id make that a straight up street machine. Motor M drive and a 28mm and your goodddd.

[@CriticalFocus]

Ahh cool didn’t realize there were different types of M4-P too. That sounds perfect! Still have to try one of those M motors.

[@mynewcolour]

My M4-P has a brass top. It hadn't heard this acknowledged anywhere before ... so was a little confused!

[@FinersDiner]

I mean if your gonna make a video comparing cameras, you'd probably wanna do just a bit of research (i.e.not during the actual video)

[@megansalt]

There are no rules in creative work.

[@jameslenney]

Is the m4-p notably heavier?

[@ARSAnalog]

Owning and using a M4p, I never needed a internal light meter yet. Using a hand light meter is fine.

[@YohaneRockett]

Who needs a Lightmeter? Keep the M4-P.

[@DessieTots]

What is it with opening videos by slurping a tea/coffee etc in a very hammy way. It looks so contrived.

[@barcostudio]

Define contrived

[@deanhoffmeyer865]

Technical question- what kind of B+W filters on there?

[@CriticalFocus]

They are UV/IR cut filters that I got for use with the M8.

[@trials6]

How do you make a video not even knowing what your actually taking about? Your M4-P does have a top brass plate..the internals are actually stronger as there made from steel rather then softer brass.

[@mathiash5000]

Great video! The prices though 😆

[@cfagil]

Be honest to ourselves; Leica M is a toy for the adult including myself. I use Nikon and Sony for my work and Leica M as a toy especially I enjoy the film development part. I said Leica M as a toy definitely not in a derogatory way but in the context of the pleasure and joy it gives us. Whatever we buy is dictated by our budget hence all my Leica gear is secondhand. We do need people with deeper pockets to keep the primary market going so we can continue our passion with the M bodies in the secondary market.

[@haymobachmaier]

Only the first batch of the M4-P was made in Brass.. the next ones in Magnesium

[@eric_bones]

What is that lens filter? Great review btw

[@CriticalFocus]

Both lenses have UV/IR filters because I used to have an M8. On the leica lens it’s a Leica filter and the voigtlander lens has a B+W filter.

[@CasnioMiCasio]

Can you only sync a Flash at 1/60s on the them? No faster speed?

[@kalenderquantentunnel9411]

Nope! Traditional cloth shutter curtains and not uncommon at the time even in cameras contemporary to the late to the party M6: Minolta X700, Olympus OM4 and others.

[@musj]

Heisann! Lurer på hvor i Bergen du får fremkalt og scannet bildene dine? Takk!

[@CriticalFocus]

Hei! Det var noen år siden jeg bodde i Bergen, men jeg fremkalt hos Antonio Stasi og scannet hjemme :)

[@ornino54]

The logo is in referent position..

[@Seventhcause]

I was about to just grab the m4-2 and at the very end you said “m4-2 will probably crap out on you.” And I was like well P it is

[@Errys]

$700 in 2018 and almost $2600 in 2022 lol

[@tekoppentekoppen761]

Its a bubble. Film will eventually force the prices down.

[@shademanirvanipour6870]

I got a friend of mine who want to sale his LEICA M6 None TTL Black body to me for £500.00 and is not Been used for a long time and is in good condition

[@myleicam8546]

Thanks for sharing.. Digital Leicas with more than 10 years still working, Prices are also higher that this two. But yes, one day they are gonna die. So do we

[@NarcissismSurvivor]

Interesting. I feel that my M4-2 blows the doors off of my M6. It’s the same quality but a much better value. Damn hipsters and their cult.

[@acidsnow5915]

leicas are really amazing the leica m6 is one of my dream cameras! i just really enjoy to have a light-meter in my camera :D thanks for sharing this with us really enjoyed watching this

[@CriticalFocus]

Hehe yea it’s nice to have one when you need it for sure.

[@ComGoBoo]

I'm sorry to break this to you, but among "Leica-People" the overwhelming consensus is that the M3 is the ultimate Leica. Best and most bright viewfinder, best manufacturing, best and most quiet shutter (allegedly of course). But the M6 is by far the most popular one to buy today. Not quite as outlandishly priced as the M7 but with a built in light meter and an overall great camera. Also relatively "new" compared to the other Ms. The M7 works without a light meter, but only at 1/60 s and 1/125 s and without metering (of course). The saving Leica part started with the M4-2 and sort of continued with the M4-P. Although by the time they started making the M4-P the company was pretty much back on its feet (as far as I know).

[@TwangThang57]

I don't know a single " Leica Person" who prefers the M3 over the M2 or M4. Including : kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2a5mHZul66Bprc

[@seanedferguson]

I think I can summarize what everybody said below by saying this isn't a good explanation of the product and its largely incorrect. Although kudos for wanting to help people, but this information is largely incorrect. I own two of these, 1 Zinc and 1 Brass and they are excellent camera's I've shot a complete photo show with one.. I've been paid to shoot with this camera... It gets the job done, its silky smooth, reliable, and cool af