mich8261
Well-known
I have read that Leitz produced a shoe mount meter that somehow connects to the shutter speed dial. Does it work on an M2? Any particular model? Regarding the shutter, has anyone found a way to lock the release so I don't have so many pictures of the inside of my camera bag? Maybe a little gizmo similar to the soft release that would prevent one from accidentally pushing in the release. I know I could not advance the film after each shot, but that doesn't work for me.
Thanks.
Thanks.
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Leice produced a number of such meters (or rather Metrawatt produced them for Leica). The best-known models are the Leicameters MC and MR; the former has a selenium cell, the latter (more desirable) has a CdS cell that runs of a PX625 mercury cell.
It works on the M1 through M4. (I'm not sure if on the MP as well, but there it would be kind of pointless). It couples to the shutter speed dial by means of a pin which fits into the small cut out section in the speed dial. That way it is sort of half-coupled to the camera and relatively comfortable to use. (However, it adds bulk and people tend to scratch their camera top plates with them.) The metering area roughly corresponds to the 90mm frameline.
The main thing it has speaking for it is the shutter speed coupling, but if you can live without that, there are better meters out there IMHO; the Leicameters, even the MR, aren't particularly sensitive, tend to be a little fiddly in use and it's surprisingly difficult to find a working one, as many appear to be dead by now. There is a service guide somewhere on the net that covers taking the thing apart and cleaning it. The MR comes in two versions; the newer one (often called "MR4") has the metering button on top, where the original MR had it on the side where it was apparently prone to breaking off.
In a pinch, you can also take the MR off the camera and use it as a very small handheld meter with an awkward user interface. I had an MR4 for a while (but no Leica to go with it) and used it that way, hoping to reuse it if I ever bought an M[1234].
It works on the M1 through M4. (I'm not sure if on the MP as well, but there it would be kind of pointless). It couples to the shutter speed dial by means of a pin which fits into the small cut out section in the speed dial. That way it is sort of half-coupled to the camera and relatively comfortable to use. (However, it adds bulk and people tend to scratch their camera top plates with them.) The metering area roughly corresponds to the 90mm frameline.
The main thing it has speaking for it is the shutter speed coupling, but if you can live without that, there are better meters out there IMHO; the Leicameters, even the MR, aren't particularly sensitive, tend to be a little fiddly in use and it's surprisingly difficult to find a working one, as many appear to be dead by now. There is a service guide somewhere on the net that covers taking the thing apart and cleaning it. The MR comes in two versions; the newer one (often called "MR4") has the metering button on top, where the original MR had it on the side where it was apparently prone to breaking off.
In a pinch, you can also take the MR off the camera and use it as a very small handheld meter with an awkward user interface. I had an MR4 for a while (but no Leica to go with it) and used it that way, hoping to reuse it if I ever bought an M[1234].
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mich8261
Well-known
thank you rxmd, can the MR model with the mercury cell be fitted with converter to use newer batteries?
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
Well if you take one of the well-known adapters that are the size of a 625 cell and take either smaller button cells or hearing aid batteries, I don't see any problem; it should fit. The interior of the MR4 is not particularly complicated, it would theoretically be no problem to put the necessary voltage-reducing Schottky diode in there as well and use a normal silver oxide button cell, but I didn't bother to try that out.
The meter is a bit fiddly to use, though. I would try it out first. I used a friend's M4 for a while with one, and the sequence of using the 90mm frame to get a meter reading, then taking the camera off the eye to adjust exposure, then taking the camera to the eye again did get on my nerves after a while. I found I was quicker with a standalone meter, and the camera was smaller without the added bulk on top. At the moment I've got the best of both worlds, i.e. an M5 with its integrated spot meter and analog readout in the finder window, which is the metering system that works most intuitively for me (in an M-mount body, anyway).
Philipp
The meter is a bit fiddly to use, though. I would try it out first. I used a friend's M4 for a while with one, and the sequence of using the 90mm frame to get a meter reading, then taking the camera off the eye to adjust exposure, then taking the camera to the eye again did get on my nerves after a while. I found I was quicker with a standalone meter, and the camera was smaller without the added bulk on top. At the moment I've got the best of both worlds, i.e. an M5 with its integrated spot meter and analog readout in the finder window, which is the metering system that works most intuitively for me (in an M-mount body, anyway).
Philipp
bananasplit
Established
Hi Michel,
Just to add my bit I would highlight that the MR4 or MR are working great for me. I have them on my M3 and M2.
All the pictures taken with those meters are better than some taken with a M6... Or I got inspired...
The good thing is that the meter is coupled to the speed dial. I confirm that it fits all M bodies from 1 to 4 (4-2 and 4-p included) the famous original MP, MD/A/2 and the classic MP made a few years ago for the Chinese market (came black paint with a Summicron 50 also black paint!).
The battery is not an issue and you can have your meter cleaned and adjusted to fit the new batteries by DAG. It will cost you a few $ but it’s worth it as the contacts get usually oxidized through the years.
Good luck and enjoy the leicameter system.
Just to add my bit I would highlight that the MR4 or MR are working great for me. I have them on my M3 and M2.
All the pictures taken with those meters are better than some taken with a M6... Or I got inspired...
The good thing is that the meter is coupled to the speed dial. I confirm that it fits all M bodies from 1 to 4 (4-2 and 4-p included) the famous original MP, MD/A/2 and the classic MP made a few years ago for the Chinese market (came black paint with a Summicron 50 also black paint!).
The battery is not an issue and you can have your meter cleaned and adjusted to fit the new batteries by DAG. It will cost you a few $ but it’s worth it as the contacts get usually oxidized through the years.
Good luck and enjoy the leicameter system.
mich8261
Well-known
hmmm. Was trying to find an alternative to my bulky and sometimes intimidating Sekonic, but this little dance with the MR might not be better. I see that Tamarkin has one in their used inventory. I might drop by on the weekend to check it out.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Vincenzo Maielli
Well-known
Hi, dear friend. I own a Leica Meter MR in chrome finish and i own many MR-9 adapter that i use with many cameras, but the MR-9 adapter don't fit correctly with my Leica Meter MR (the battery compartment remain open). Try with the Wein Cell MRB625 zync air battery.
Ciao.
Ciao.
mich8261
Well-known
thank you Vincenzo,
The MR-9 adapter is what I was wondering about, but couldn't remember its name.
The MR-9 adapter is what I was wondering about, but couldn't remember its name.