First Roll with my Leica M4
I've owned this Leica M4 for almost a year now. Technically, it's not the first roll I have shot with this camera but it is the first roll I have shot since getting it back from a repair. There was a light leak and it was the shutter's fault. The fix took almost 5 months but I did have it done by a very reputable Leica repairman, which is must for repairing these brass models.
The Leica M4 was produced between 1966 to 1975. I believe it was last brass model (I'm not sure if these newer film Leicas are brass again) but a lot of people consider it to be the last 'classic' version. There is no light meter, a few upgrades compared to M3 & M2, which are the other 'classic' cameras. I decided to go with the M4 because I wanted 35mm frame lines with the quick loading film system and it also has (to me at least) a better film counter than the M2.
Right now I am using a 50mm Summicron version/type 4. I decided to go with this lens due to price, optics, and the focusing tab. It's a great lens but at some point in the near future I will be getting a 35mm lens, most likely the Zeiss Biogon F2.8 version.
Shooting Experience
I'm pretty sure when I got the camera I never held a Leica M in my hands before. As people say, and it is very true, it's heavier than it looks. But the weight gives it a nice feel, it's not over bearably heavy. It's a great size and I love the compactness of it. It feels really nice in your hands and it just looks like a cool camera.
This is not the first rangefinder I have ever used though. I sold my Contax G2 setup to fund this camera. I loved that camera but I wanted to experience shooting with a Leica. I wanted something completely manual as well. I also shoot with a Mamiya 7II, which is a medium format rangefinder, so the rangefinder experience to me was not new at all.
I wasn't too keen in shooting 35mm over the past few years. I love my Mamiya 7II and I love the quality of medium format. And if I'm shooting film I might as well shoot a larger format. But there was also a desire to at least experience a Leica and if I didn't find myself shooting with it or was over the experience, I could always sell it down the line and get my money back or even make a small profit.
As of right now, I love the experience. Shooing without a light meter has also been okay. I really thought my readings would be way off but I have been surprised on how accurate I've been. I did buy a Voigtlander VC meter II to use at tricker situations and that has worked out as well. I feel that I am going to keep this camera, since I feel the need and desire to shoot more with it.
What I want the Leica M4 for
My primary film camera is a Mamiya 7II and it's great overall. However, if I just want to bring something along with me when I go around the city, I wanted a lighter and smaller system. Also, having just 10 shots on the Mamiya and film almost costing around the same for medium format and 35mm, I wanted a camera where each exposure was not as critical or important. With the Mamiya it made really think about each photo I took. I took my time and really slowed down and I appreciate and love shooting that way. But I wanted to have the option to fire away. Now, it's not a digital camera but it takes me a while to shoot 36 exposures.
Also, travel. While I do take my Mamiya 7II with me a lot, having the option of a smaller film camera always appealed to me. As I continue to shoot more with it, I will definitely share more of my photos and experiences.