My new MP anthracite

[dreamsandart]

Was in Osaka yesterday just browsing the camera shops for something interesting and that Leica MP .85 I've been thinking about since the MP came out when I spotted a new Leica MP anthracite. This is one 'limited edition' I'd always like and so... I'm now a happy MP owner.

What can I say? With a black paint M4 I wanted something different than another BP camera to look for in my camera bag if I carried both, the silver chrome would have been nice too but still didn't get my blood moving a bit faster, its been a long thinking process as to getting that MP. As one of the 3 bears would have said, this medium tone gray seemed "just right". And with the a la cart prices taking off as a recent thread here pointed out the traditional Leica engravings on the top and the 'Leicavit' script, and the vulcanite cover were nice touches. Not my 'ideal' .85 finder, but I can live with that with my 1.25x magnifier, its as close to my 'personal' M as I felt I was going to get 'cheap'.

So its camera picture time before I head out today with film in the camera for the first time.

 

[rogue_designer]

that's very pretty...

pricier than I'd go for any camera.. but very pretty.

*keeps bargain hunting for beat up m4's to paint*

 

[mfunnell]

That's a very nice looking camera. I'm glad you found something you really like and will be able to use approximately forever. Go take lots of photos with it.

...Mike

 

[kevin m]

Nice! Looks sweet with the vintage lens, too.

 

[M. Valdemar]

What did you pay for that?

 

[dreamsandart]

Ah, the price question... More than I would have liked to have paid for other camera, even if its an MP, but about the same as what I see used/mint regular MPs going for. So a 'bargain' if I think of it that way.

 

[Rob-F]

She's a beauty! And I agree with your taste in lenses, too. Somehow the collapsible Summicron looks very right on this camera.

 

[M. Valdemar]

Are you ever stopped by otaku person in Japan who makes a remark like "subarashi kamera"?

Or did you just buy it because you like the way it looks?

A lot of money for a film camera just because it has a hammertone finish.

 

[edho]

the strap and lens look perfect with this camera.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Heck, it's a beauty and it will be loaded with film and used, so let's celebrate.

 

[dreamsandart]

I'd been thinking of an MP since they came out. When I bought an M6 in 1984 my thinking was 'great, an M4 with a meter'. The M6 was a fine camera for the 15 years I had it, but it never felt like an M4, just different in built quality. The MP seemed to have addressed those issues but still couldn't justify the cost.

One of the things about Leica for me is enjoying the camera. I don't shoot professionally any more, but it is fun to make photographs and the camera is just part of the process for me. Using a Leica film camera most of my life its second nature, a part of 'that I do'.

Yes, I could have gotten another M6 cheaper, or be as happy as I am with my metered M5 or non-metered M4, but this gives me a new camera, traditional M-size, and the Leicavit is nice. If I was going to get an MP, may as well be something fun and 'special', and the cost as I said was about what a used regular production MP would have cost me anyways.

Yes, the finish did have a factor. Its not 'hammertone' which is very retro, but a new 'modern' finish. Not sure how it will wear (most of these are collector's camera I think), but is suppose to be fairly durable from what I hear.

 

[haagen_dazs]

very nice. may i know how much did your MP cost?

 

[maddoc]

Are you ever stopped by otaku person in Japan who makes a remark like "subarashi kamera"?

I was ... carrying my IIIf 😀😎

 

[itf]

Some comments in these forums are starting to sound strangely similar to photo.net. It looks a fantastic camera, and I'm sure it will be the same to use. Congratulations, enjoy it!

 

[bobkonos]

Beautiful camera-use it often and in good health. I saw the same camera in the Leica shop in the Ginza this September. I had heard about it and seen pictures of it in the departed Japanese magazine "Leica." I think seeing it in person (while my chrome MP was around my neck) planted the seed for me to sell my chrome MP and go for the anthracite model . But I still have the chrome MP, use it, and am not near the Ginza right now. But seeing your anthracite MP, I may not give up on having the same camera since I also feel that one of the things about Leica is enjoying the camera. Please keep us informed on wear of the finish. And again, enjoy. (Sorry we did not connect in Kyoto-next time, OK?).

 

[vrgard]

Very nice looking camera dreamsandart. Not only is it gorgeous but it makes you happy so use it and enjoy it.

Oh, what strap is that?

-Randy

 

[Artorius]

Looks sweet to me.

Looks sweet to me.

If I have learned one thing buying jewelry for my wife, it's not the cost, but, how it looks and feels to her. I am the same way with my cameras, if it doesn't look, feel, or please me, I don't want it. If, on the other hand it "fits", who cares what it costs as long as I am happy. I do budget for my gear, and do watch prices, but if I want it, I will get it.
I don't care what you paid for it. If YOU like it, enjoy it. Don't worry about the price now or later.
I'm not in the depreciation of gear camp, as I buy for now. If I want, I can deduct it come tax time, although being retired, I really don't need to as I normally just keep what I like. Hope this makes sense.

 

[vrgard]

I second Art's motion, er, ah, viewpoint.

-Randy

 

[Artorius]

I don't know Randy

I don't know Randy

I second Art's motion, er, ah, viewpoint.

-Randy

I've been married almost 30 yrs, been buying jewelry and cameras for the same amount of time. I was a staunch DSLR guy for the past 10 years. I have been weening myself off them for the past two years. I have never gotten "off the tit" as far as film goes, but have been returning more often for a more than normal feeding. I am constantly hungry for film. That said, the M8 came into play. SLR/DSLR, M8, M3 or M4-P.
Now I need to think about what I am going to do, before I leave my house, again. I retired so I wouldn't need to make so many decisions, unfortunately, now have more choices than before because ,finally it's my choice not my agent. Which camera, Digital, 35mm, 120/220, lens, film, film(color, B&W), digital. Maybe I should just have just kept working.
NAH, I am happy now.

 

[dreamsandart]

Thanks for our comments and support, just thought some folks here would be interested in this unusual edition and of course I'm excited with this new camera you'll understand.

As for the price/value thing... didn't intend to cause any controversy, lets just say that I could probably have found a used MP for a bit less, but if you look at what our favorite retailer Tony Rose is selling used/mint camera only MPs for, I got this camera AND the Leicavit for a couple hundred dollars more. Not a bad deal.

The anthracite finish is very nice. Its not a flat gray, has a bit of 'sparkle' to it in the light (maybe they did add a bit of coal dust 😀 ), and is also not smooth paint but has a very light texture to it that adds to the grip. I think Leica's description is fairly actuate 'restrained elegance', its not over the top, but feels practical to the eyes. I imagine that it will wear better than the black paint and doesn't finger print. I like the look with the chrome parts too.

My best intentions were to do some exposures today and being overcast here in the Kyoto area today thought the low contrast collapsable Summicron would preserve the mood, but my patient schedule got filled up so will have to wait till tomorrow to try the camera out. Oh well.

BTW here is the Leica web information if you are interested

http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/special_editions/leica_mp_anthracite/