PetaPixel

A Leica M4 Rangefinder Disassembled

 

A Leica M4 Rangefinder Disassembled m4disassembled

Here’s what a Leica M4 rangefinder camera looks like when taken apart. It’s crazy how so many small parts can work together so seamlessly and reliably.

(via Bresson AS via Leica Rumors)

 
 
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  • Ernie

    while it’s a lot of parts it’s nothing compared to the Digital camera.  We still have crafts people able to work on the M4 so we’re ok for awhile.  The M4 is probably THE most reliable of the mechanical Leicas

  • Ernie

    while it’s a lot of parts it’s nothing compared to the Digital camera.  We still have crafts people able to work on the M4 so we’re ok for awhile.  The M4 is probably THE most reliable of the mechanical Leicas

  • Joelwyoung

    Doesn’t look like it works quite as seamlessly anymore.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dpfoy Dan Foy

    I have to say, I too quite underwhelmed by the number of components in this, especially considering the series posted on here a while ago where someone took apart and photographically documented some pentax camera, alongside alarm clocks and other items.  I suppose most of the shutter mechanism is intact here – maybe it would be more impressive with that disassembled, too.

  • Kanebake

    Yeah, Todd McLellan disassembled some items and a camera, it was on here a few months back. However he took everything apart to the smallest part, you can see that a lot of pieces are still intact here.

  • http://twitter.com/Myrddon Henning Nilsen

    You say that as if a lot of parts is a good thing.
    Less parts = less chance of malfunction, higher chance of repair.

  • http://twitter.com/Myrddon Henning Nilsen

    You say that as if a lot of parts is a good thing.
    Less parts = less chance of malfunction, higher chance of repair.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dpfoy Dan Foy

    Lots of parts isn’t necessarily a good thing, but it would make a more interesting photo – as in Tod McLellan’s photos (cheers to Kanebake below for reminding me which photographer it was).  This post does state however ‘It’s crazy how so many small parts can work together so seamlessly and reliably’ – I was just expecting to see more small parts.

    At uni we use Sinar monorail 5×4 systems, and they have barely any parts whatsoever (back frame, dark slide insert, bellows, front frame, lens), and they in themselves are beautiful and incredibly reliable cameras.  However, if I saw one of those disassembled (you have to assemble them yourself anyway, so I doubt there would be much to disassemble apart from the lens) then I wouldn’t be surprised to see a small selection of small parts working together seamlessly and reliable.  A Leica is much more complicated.