The best companion for the MP

[Bully]

I´ve got a Leica MP and search for a true companion for this mechanical masterpiece.

I need your opinions (without financial aspects) because I don´t know which way to go.

Any advice is welcome!

 

[Al Patterson]

Another MP? A Luigi case?

 

[roundg]

Go for a Minolta CLE.

 

[icemendicant]

Mamiya 7ii 🙂

 

[sirius]

What do you want another camera for? If it is for back-up then get a Voightlander. If you want a good camera for a 50mm lens then get an M3. If you want a good camera with a brighter finder then get a Zeiss Ikon. It's hard to say unless we know what you need it for.

 

[Austerby]

I have a chrome MP 0.58 and a black M7 0.72 - the perfect retro-futuristic combination I find in film cameras. The MP is the modern epitome and the M7 the ultimate evolution of the original M concept.

 

[gregg]

Sirius is right (of course) - it depends on your needs.

I voted for an M8 because it keeps Leica in business. Oh yeah, I want one too - my time is getting pinched and, although I love the smell of fixer, a pure digital workflow is really nice.

 

[Keith]

I agree with the choice of an M8 ... the perfect digital compliment without being taken by the dark side. (DSLR) 😛

You can also mix and match focal lengths with the M8's crop factor ... it's a wonderful camera for colour leaving the MP to take care of the serious task of black and white film photography. :angel:

 

[rolo]

As the question implies that you will retain a wet workflow and the MP will be more than a backup camera, I suggest the M7 as it is faster handling than the MP and offers a variation for you.

Rolo

 

[Mackinaw]

Forget another camera and go for a lens. How about the 35mm Summilux ASPH or a Noctilux?

Jim B.

 

[sirius]

OK, I voted for an M8 too because that's what I would want if I didn't have to worry about the money...

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I'll go with Sitemistic's decision.

 

[wgerrard]

Umm, if we had a poll asking which camera is least likely to need a backup, isn't the MP the likely winner?

Otherwise, take Sitemistic's advise. If the MP breaks, a beautiful woman and a beautiful car will ease your pain much better than another camera.

 

[Keith]

I was going to mention the Hexar RF as a similar choice to an M7 ... but without spending quite so much money to have an AE alternative. 😀

 

[Al Patterson]

I was going to mention the Hexar RF as a similar choice to an M7 ... but without spending quite so much money to have an AE alternative. 😀

And, there is one currently for sale in the classifieds. Had I enough cash to purchase it, it wouldn't be there now...

 

[Bully]

Thank you all for your replies!

To clear one thing: I want another second CAMERA, no second MP, no second woman or another fast car... 🙂 I don´t have a fast car at all.

A few months ago I owned a Minolta CLE, but most of the time it sat on the shelf. I know that it is a very attractive little camera but that´s it, at the end I sold it.
Some years ago I handled a Konica Hexar RF but I was a bit disappointed in the brightness of the viewfinder. Also I don´t need any motor to transport the film. For me the Hexar RF went too far in the developement of rangefinders.

On the other hand I took the chance to grap a Zeiss Ikon: it is without a doupt a well built camera, but both examples I handled (in the shop) had the dejusted rangefinder..., a well known problem after all I read in the internet.

So folks, which listed model is the best companion for my MP?

 

[sepiareverb]

The M7 and MP is to be my usual working pair- the MP for wides and the M7 for Normal. The MP is in the works. The differing direction of shutter speed dial is a non-issue for me, I use M7, M5, and an MP3 now, and the move back and forth is easy.

The M7 opens up other options when working with its AP feature, something I find I use about half the time with much success.

 

[mfogiel]

I think the best companion to a Leica MP is an Aston Martin Lagonda - possibly in the matching colour...

 

[Kim]

I would go with a M7 or a new Rolleiflex FX as a second camera to the MP.

 

[peter_n]

If you have anything other than a 0.58x MP and you use wides I would suggest a CV R4. Forget the price it is an outstanding camera. Other than that I would go with Rolo & Bob's suggestion of an M7. If you can deal with the opposite rotating shutter speed dials the M7 is a great camera to use.