Two Leica M4 Black Paint Cameras — Early vs. Later – Jo Geier – Mint & Rare

September 4, 2026 Jo Geier

In this video, Jo Geier takes a closer look at a very early Leica M4 Black Paint from 1967, still accompanied by its original maker’s box with matching serial number, and compares it with a later 1970 example.

From the early flash engravings and black-painted screws to the brass rewind knob and production-specific markings, these are the small details that distinguish the earliest M4 Black Paint cameras. The camera is paired with a period Summilux 50mm f/1.4, while the later M4 comes with an exceptionally rare 11817-code Summilux featuring black-painted focusing, depth-of-field and aperture scales — a configuration of which only around 12–15 examples are currently known to us.

Watch the Video by clicking the image below: