R4

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R4-dwg.jpg R4-top.jpg

R4 with 50mm f/2 Summicron-R II lens and cap
  • Production era - 1980-1986
  • Order numbers - 10046-black - 10041-mot-chrom - 10043-mot-black - 10051-gold
  • Description - "The Leica R4 set the shape and, layout for the next generation of Leica reflex cameras. It is lighter in weight and smaller in overall size than the R3.
The metering system is highly sophisticated and incorporates five metering modes, all selected by the use of a single dial on the camera top plate.
The metering system is activated by either lightly touching the release button, or pressing the program selector.
The electronic Leitz/Seiko designed shutter incorporates variable speeds between 1/2 and 1/1000 sec plus B.

8 seconds to 1/1000 continuously on A* A** and P* modes and from 1 second on T* and M* modes. Also a fixed mechanical speed of 1/1000 sec.

There is an electronic self timer with a signal LED on the camera front. The viewfinder system features interchangeable screens. The viewfinder readout display includes selected metering mode, shutter speed, aperture, memory hold , over and under exposure, flash ready and manual overide.
The camera accepts the newly developed motor drive or power winder and will accept the R3 range of lens from 15 to 800mm. There is a data recording back and also a large film capacity back." -jcb

R4 Serial Numbers

SN Start SN End Product Year Batch
1533351 1543350 Leica R4 Schwz (+mot) 1980-81 10000
1552531 1562350 Leica R4 Schwz 1981 10000
1564351 1574350 Leica R4 Schwz(+Hell) 1981-82 10000
1574351 1576350 Leica R4 Hell 1982 2000
1576351 1586350 Leica R4 Schwz 1982 10000
1590351** 1590550** Leica R4 Schwz 1982 200**
1590551 1592550 Leica R4 Hell 1982 2000
1592551 1602550 Leica R4 Schwz 1982 10000
1602551 1604550 Leica R4 Hell (+Schwz) 1982 2000
1606551 1616550 Leica R4 Schwz 1983 10000
1616551 1618550 Leica R4 Hell 1983 2000
1622551 1632550 Leica R4 Schwz (ELW) 1983 10000
1651251 1652250 Leica R4 Gold 1984-85 1000
1659251 1664250 Leica R4 Schwz 1984-85 5000
1664351 1665350 Leica R4 Hell 1984-85 1000
1669351 ^1674350 Leica R4 Schwz* 1985-86 5000
1694951 1696450 Leica R4 Schwz 1986 1500
Total assigned serial numbers 1980-1986 91,700

.* Serial numbers and batch total from Gandy's List
** Serial numbers from Serial Numbers Leica Cameras with computed batch total.
Unmarked SN's match between both lists and Gandy's batch total was used without recalculation.
Schwz - Black anodized aluminum / Hell - Clear anodized aluminum
^ Leica***USA on camera back in this batch