in Brian Bowers "Leica M Photography" book, it says the M4 has a "delayed action release" operated by a lever on the front of the camera below the shutter release and is not found on subsequent M series cameras. Can someone explain what this "delayed action release" is. The only thing I can see on the front of my M4 is the release for rewinding of the film, which all subsequent Leica M's do have. Please explain.... Thanks

-- ron snyder (studio1401@aol.com), December 30, 2001

Answers

delayed action release = self-timer

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), December 30, 2001.

Original M4 has a self-timer lever - below the rewind release. It looks similar to the frameline preview lever on the other side of the lens.

M4-2s and M4-Ps DO NOT have the self timer (the M4-P DOES have a pretty red dot in the same spot 8^) )

You crank the ST around counterclockwise 'til it stops, and then when you press the shutter button it whirrs and rotates clockwise for 10 seconds and fires the shutter - giving you just enough time to get into the picture looking frazzled and hurried - or be captured on film tripping over your spouse's legs - or whatever. Also useful for eliminating mirror shake in a camera that has no mirror anyway. 8^)

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), December 30, 2001.

Thanks for the answer. now that I heard what it is, its very obvious. Delayed action release, ie...self timer. I guess I should have been able to figure this one out on my own. Thanks again :-)

-- ron snyder (studio1401@aol.com), December 30, 2001.