Leitz M4-M (motorised)
The Leitz M4-M is a motor-capable variant of the 35mm M-mount rangefinder line, built to accept the Leica Motor M drive unit. It was produced in limited numbers for photographers who needed motorised film advance on a rangefinder body, and is considerably scarcer than standard M4 bodies.
At UK auction the M4-M has a wide hammer-price spread, with recorded saleroom results running from around £1,600 to £10,000 and a median near £3,800 — wholesale levels before buyer's premium. As of 2026, what an M4-M is worth today depends heavily on whether the original motor unit is present and functional; complete motorised sets sell for materially more than bodies alone, which is why the price range is so stretched.
Variants
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DA | — | — | 1 | £10,000 – £10,000 |
| Fundus | — | — | 1 | £1,645 – £1,645 |
| Leicavit MP | — | — | 0 | — |
| w/motor | — | — | 1 | £2,000 – £2,000 |
| w/o motor | — | — | 0 | — |
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | EUR 8,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 47 (Lot A02644) Title: Leica M4-M black paint
Description:
A beautiful black paint Leica M4-M from the second production batch made in Germany in 1969, in excellent condition and good working order. |
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| Nov 2024 | EUR 12,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01288) Title: Leica M4-M DA black paint
Description:
In the early 1970s E. Leitz Inc. New York manufactured a large number of MDa Mot cameras for use on Zeiss fundus cameras, an unexpected outcome of this cooperation was a number of M4-M and M4-MOT cameras being left without parts necessary for motor use. These Leicas were fitted with a grooved body casting for marker strips and sold as special black M4s. The offered example of this very rare camera is in beautiful, mint condition and good working order, together with an extra matching standard bottom plate, some marker strips and a body cap, a similar camera no.1248177 can be seen in James L. Lager An Illustrated History vol. 1 - Cameras, on page 235. Estimate: EUR 24,000 - EUR 28,000 |
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| Nov 2024 | EUR 7,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 45 (Lot A01414) Title: Leica M4 MOT black paint
Description:
A rare Leica M4 MOT in black paint finish, in beautiful, mint condition and working order, from a batch issued in 1970 (nos.1206737-1206891), with body cap, a similar camera with the serial number no.1267219 is shown in James L. Lager 'An Illustrated History' vol.1 Cameras, on p. 234. Estimate: EUR 12,000 - EUR 14,000 |
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| Jan 2024 | USD 5,250 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: 2024 Results (Lot 384) Title: Leica M4-M “Fundus” Nr. 1267139, in black paint finish.
Description:
Leica M4-M “Fundus” Nr. 1267139, in black paint finish. |
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| Nov 2023 | EUR 17,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 43 (Lot A00271) Title: Leica M4-M DA black paint
Description:
In the early 1970s E. Leitz Inc. New York manufactured a large number of MDa Mot cameras for use on Zeiss fundus cameras, an unexpected outcome of this cooperation was a number of M4-M and M4-MOT cameras being left without parts necessary for motor use. These Leicas were fitted with a grooved body casting for marker strips and sold as special black M4s. The offered example of this very rare camera is in beautiful, mint condition and good working order, together with an extra matching standard bottom plate, some marker strips and a body cap, a similar camera no.1248177 can be seen in James L. Lager An Illustrated History vol. 1 - Cameras, on page 235. Estimate: EUR 24,000 - EUR 28,000 |
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| Jan 2023 | USD 5,000 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: 2023 Auction Results (Lot 252) Title: Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1267223
Description:
Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1267223 |
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| Nov 2022 | EUR 30,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 41 (Lot AI_41_40985) Title: Leica M4-M DA black paint
Description:
In 1970s E. Leitz Inc. manufactured a large number of MDa Mot cameras for use on Zeiss fundus cameras, an unexpected outcome of this cooperation was a number of M4-M and M4-MOT cameras being left without parts necessary for motor use. These Leicas were fitted with a grooved body casting for marker-strips and sold as special black M4's. The offered example of this rare camera is in beautiful, near mint condition and good working order, comes with a very rare original base plate. Estimate: EUR 16,000 - EUR 18,000 |
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| Nov 2021 | USD 11,000 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2021 Auction Results (Lot 202) Title: Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1267471 with New York Motor Drive
Description:
Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1267471 with New York Motor Drive |
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| Jun 2021 | EUR 7,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 38 (Lot AI_38_39191) Title: Leica M4 MOT + NY Motor Drive
Description:
original black paint body in very good condition, with Leitz NY Motor Drive no.02708 (late version with film loading guide and microswitch contacts), matching AA battery pack, small Vulkanite repairs on the battery pack and camera body; the NY Motor Drive was the first commercially successful electric motor for Leica M cameras Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 6,500 |
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| Jun 2021 | EUR 7,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 38 (Lot AI_38_39049) Title: Leica M4-M DA
Description:
In 1970s E. Leitz Inc. manufactured a large number of MDa Mot cameras for use on Zeiss fundus cameras, an unexpected outcome of this cooperation was a number of M4-M and M4-MOT cameras being left without parts necessary for motor use. These Leicas were fitted with a grooved body casting for marker-strips and sold as a special black M4's. The offered example of this rare camera is in beautiful, near mint condition and good working order. Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Nov 2020 | EUR 10,000 | Leitz Auction | DA | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 37 (Lot AI_37_38480) Title: Leica M4-M DA
Description:
In 1970s E. Leitz Inc. manufactured a large number of MDa Mot cameras for use on Zeiss fundus cameras, an unexpected outcome of this cooperation was a number of M4-M and M4-MOT cameras being left without parts necessary for motor use. These Leicas were fitted with a grooved body casting for marker-strips and sold as a special black M4's. The offered example of this rare camera is in beautiful, near mint condition and good working order. Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Jun 2020 | EUR 5,000 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 36 (Lot AI_36_38096) Title: Leica M4-MOT black paint
Description:
original M4 MOT black paint from the first batch of 150 cameras in good working condition, with matching E.Leitz New York Motor Drive 14000 no.2883 with "AA" battery pack, regular base plate Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 6,500 |
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| Nov 2019 | EUR 3,800 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 35 (Lot AI_35_37539) Title: Leica M4 MOT black paint + NY Motor Drive
Description:
body in beautiful condition, with Leitz NY Motor Drive no.02516 (incl. AA battery pack), the Leica M4 Mot has been launched in 1968 and was in production until 1971, only about 955 cameras have been made Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 5,000 |
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| Nov 2019 | USD 4,000 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2019 Auction Results (Lot 227) Title: Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1267213 in black enamel finish with a beautiful patina. With N.Y. Motor Nr. 02581
Description:
Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1267213 in black enamel finish with a beautiful patina. With N.Y. Motor Nr. 02581 |
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| Nov 2019 | USD 3,500 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2019 Auction Results (Lot 226) Title: Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1274005 in black enamel finish "Property of U.S. Navy"
Description:
Leica M4 MOT Nr. 1274005 in black enamel finish "Property of U.S. Navy" |
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| Jun 2019 | EUR 2,000 | Leitz Auction | w/motor | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 34 (Lot AI_34_37192) Title: Leica M4 MOT + NY Motor Drive
Description:
100% original M4 MOT black paint in perfect working condition, with matching E. Leitz New York Motor Drive 14000 no.02272 with "AA" battery pack Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 4,500 |
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| Nov 2017 | USD 3,000 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
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Auction: November 2017 Auction Results (Lot 209) Title: Leica M4-M Nr. 1185006
Description:
Leica M4-M Nr. 1185006 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 3,800 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 30 (Lot AI_30_34772) Title: Leica M4 MOT black paint
Description:
never used, absolutely mint body with body cap, English instructions, registry card and maker's box with matching serial number Estimate: EUR 4,000 - EUR 4,500 |
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| Nov 2016 | EUR 3,600 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33342) Title: Leica M4 MOT black paint
Description:
near mint and rare camera in perfect working order with NY motordrive no.02284 and 'AA' Battery Pack in perfect condition Estimate: EUR 6,000 - EUR 7,000 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 4,200 | Leitz Auction | — | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_18188) Title: M4-M black paint
Description:
100% original M4-M black paint in excellent and perfect working condition, cap, base plate, maker's box with matching number, with matching E.Leitz New York Motor Drive 14000 no.02287 in perfect working condition with "AA" battery pack, German and English instructions, rare maker's box Estimate: EUR 5,000 - EUR 6,000 |
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| Nov 2003 | £1,645 | Christie's | Fundus | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, CINE CAMERAS AND CAMERAS (Lot 533) Title: Leica M4 MOT no. 1267119
Description:
Leica M4 MOT no. 1267119 Estimate: £1,600 - £2,000 |
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| Jun 1999 | £2,875 | Christie's | — | |
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Auction: Leica Cameras (Lot 460) Title: Leica M4 MOT no. 1267442
Description:
Leica M4 MOT no. 1267442 Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500 |
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