Leica M4 Brief Walkthrough parts and functions, loading film, and using the rangefinder for those new or becoming familiar with the camera

Many young people are not at ease reading. Many have never been taught script. This could be because many teachers can neither read or write script themselves. Beginning in the early ‘90s I began my classes at a pricey ($65,000/annum) university asking the class if everybody was able to read script. Many young people will be unable to read “Leica” inscribed on top plate of M4 and earlier cameras.

I should add that while many of the questions and comments raised in this forum are quite sophisticated, interesting, and make enjoyable and informative reading, many others are questions answered in easily accessible manuals on photography. So it’s not just the young who find reading a challenge.

guangong said:

Many young people are not at ease reading.

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Thing is with the M4 (and later), you don't even need to read! Just look at the picture that Leica provides in the baseplate! Do that.

guangong said:

Many young people are not at ease reading...

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by "young people", I guess you mean those under the age of six years old or so?

guangong said:

Many young people are not at ease reading. Many have never been taught script. This could be because many teachers can neither read or write script themselves. Beginning in the early ‘90s I began my classes at a pricey ($65,000/annum) university asking the class if everybody was able to read script. Many young people will be unable to read “Leica” inscribed on top plate of M4 and earlier cameras.

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Oh good lord these tiresome generalisations...nobody can read the Leica script on the top of M4 and earlier cameras today. Well you just said back in the 90s you paid 65k to go to a class where people still couldn't do that. But don't despair, time has not stopped in 1968 when the M4 was made. My M246 (made in the illeterate year 2016) has that same script on it and my son (also made in 2016) has no problem telling the letters. I guess that's some progress.

No wonder noone new turns up in photrio to ask any questions.

film_man said:

Oh good lord these tiresome generalisations...nobody can read the Leica script on the top of M4 and earlier cameras today. Well you just said back in the 90s you paid 65k to go to a class where people still couldn't do that. But don't despair, time has not stopped in 1968 when the M4 was made. My M246 (made in the illeterate year 2016) has that same script on it and my son (also made in 2016) has no problem telling the letters. I guess that's some progress.

No wonder noone new turns up in photrio to ask any questions.

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Obviously you also have difficulty with reading. As stated quite plainly, I was the professor, and the $65,000 was not for a single class, but rather the yearly tuition the university charged. As for being taught script, all depends upon where they went to school. From personal experience I can assure you that there are even public school teachers who can not write script, but laboriously use block letters when no computer is handy. As a university professor beginning in mid 1960s until early 21st century, I witnessed the decline first hand.
I was mistaken about “Leica” on top plate. Block letters are used on the front, giving a more modern look.
By the way, what is an”illeterate year”?

film_man said:

No wonder noone new turns up in photrio to ask any questions.

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Well, there was that one person complaining about film prices and availability, and when we gave him/her resources to find film at a decent price, they just disappeared.

But it is sad that I can only count one... The fact of the matter is sites like this are no longer the venues people go to. They go to reddit, youtube, FB, flickr etc

guangong said:

Obviously you also have difficulty with reading. As stated quite plainly, I was the professor, and the $65,000 was not for a single class, but rather the yearly tuition the university charged. As for being taught script, all depends upon where they went to school. From personal experience I can assure you that there are even public school teachers who can not write script, but laboriously use block letters when no computer is handy. As a university professor beginning in mid 1960s until early 21st century, I witnessed the decline first hand.
I was mistaken about “Leica” on top plate. Block letters are used on the front, giving a more modern look.
By the way, what is an”illeterate year”?

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An illeterate year? I guess every year that came after the age at which people could read script. It was a joke professor, I'll go write my lines now. But seriously now...sarcasm aside...you are saying that those people you taught in the US that had 65k to burn on some school could only read block letters. I guess I should be grateful for his majesty's government for teaching my kids to write cursive starting age 5.

Huss said:

Well, there was that one person complaining about film prices and availability, and when we gave him/her resources to find film at a decent price, they just disappeared.

But it is sad that I can only count one... The fact of the matter is sites like this are no longer the venues people go to. They go to reddit, youtube, FB, flickr etc

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Sad thing is I just come here for the entertainment. If I actually want to ask real users about equipment I go to FM, there are people there that have bought stuff made in the 90s and later.

film_man said:

An illeterate year? I guess every year that came after the age at which people could read script. It was a joke professor, I'll go write my lines now. But seriously now...sarcasm aside...you are saying that those people you taught in the US that had 65k to burn on some school could only read block letters. I guess I should be grateful for his majesty's government for teaching my kids to write cursive starting age 5.

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You still seem to lack the ability to read the English language. I said nothing of the sort. I never implied that writing in block letters was universal, or even a majority, but there are enough to be concerned. Most likely computer and iPhone has played a role in this.
As for the topic if this thread, as Huss noted, the inside if the bottom plate shows how to load the camera. That is actually long before M4 and at least as early as the IIIa. The cameras are rather simple. No batteries, no diodes, no needles. Some cameras do require a manual because of quirks. The Contessa folder and Medalist come to mind. Without reading the camera's manual, one can really screw up one of these camera.
By the way, congratulations on your M246. If your 246 holds up like my M4, it's the cheapest camera you can have. Bought mine in late 1960s and still works perfectly. You won't need a replacement. Enjoy.

guangong said:

By the way, congratulations on your M246. If your 246 holds up like my M4, it's the cheapest camera you can have. Bought mine in late 1960s and still works perfectly. You won't need a replacement. Enjoy.

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Thank you.

guangong said:

.Some cameras do require a manual because of quirks. The Contessa folder and Medalist come to mind. Without reading the camera's manual, one can really screw up one of these camera.
..

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I had a Zeiss Ikon Contessa! Lovely camera to look at, but nothing on it was self explanatory! Definitely a read the manual first job. Or search for a youtube video.... ;p