Leica's Canadian-built M4 revival — the M4-2, coupled RF, hot shoe, cloth shutter, 1978.
The Leica M4-2 was introduced in 1978 as a revived and simplified M4, built at the Leitz Midland plant in Canada to restart M production after a pause. It reintroduced the M4 layout with cost-reduced construction and added a hot shoe and motor-drive capability.
It is a 35mm coupled-rangefinder M-bayonet camera with a horizontal-travel cloth focal-plane shutter and the M4-type bright-line viewfinder showing frame lines with automatic parallax correction for several focal lengths. It omits the self-timer of the M4, has no built-in meter, and the shutter is fully mechanical and battery-free.
It suits professionals and enthusiasts who want a mechanical M with motor capability and a hot shoe for reportage, street and documentary use. The quick-load take-up and M4 finder make it fast to operate, and the body accepts the M motor drive.
Check rangefinder patch contrast and vertical alignment and confirm the bright-line frames and parallax are clear. Test slow speeds and inspect the cloth curtains for pinholes and capping. Verify the hot shoe and motor interface, confirm a clean M bayonet, and check the quick-load take-up and transport feel smooth.