Do the MP serial numbers mean anything?

[haagen_dazs]

Hey all
Just wondering.
Do the MP serial numbers mean anything?
eg above or below a certain number indicate any changes.

 

[kalokeri]

As far as I know, there have been no significant changes. It´s said that the early numbers had problems with dust in the viewfinder. There where some changes at the eyepiece - I believe it was topic in this thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44812.

I hope the link is helpful. I don´t know when they changed the eyepiece. Maybe someone else does.

Thomas

 

[peter_n]

Leica uses serial nrs in batches and the batches are not necessarily used consecutively. A camera with a serial nr of 3999001 can be manufactured before one with a serial nr 3998501.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

... Do the MP serial numbers mean anything? eg above or below a certain number indicate any changes.

No. There have been no material changes to the MP since its 2003 release.

Early MPs had an M6-style ISO dial (as has already been pointed out) and the eyepiece was not sealed (due to its inferior design compared to all that preceded it) at the factory until well beyond 300xxxx.

 

[dh-photo]

Is it then possible to see when one's MP was made? I just bought a used one, and am just curious to how old it is. Nothing's wrong with it.

/David

 

[Turtle]

i thought sealing of the VF was quite a simple exercise for a tech?

 

[jackp510]

The film pressure plate also changed some time later. The new plates are "dimpled" and seem smoother. I believe the new plates are post 3xxx..xx

Jack

 

[Mackinaw]

Early MPs' had ISO dials that included DIN and ISO numbers. The dial on current MPs' only have ISO numbers.

Jim B.

 

[davek]

MP Serial Numbers

MP Serial Numbers

It is suggested newer MP has sealed finder after #3xxxxxx also newer models dont have DIN # I am looking at a used MP with serial 294xxxx it does not have DIN # can I assume it has sealed VF. Is there anyway to tell?

 

[dh-photo]

Dunno. I also just got a used MP with serial number 298xxxx. It doesn't have the DIN numbers, but not sure how to tell if the viewfinder is sealed or not.

Two days ago I was out in freezing weather for hours. When I got indoors, the viewfinder filled up with condense. Does it mean the viewfinder isn't sealed? I don't know, it disappeared after 15 minutes.

I wrote to Leica Denmark asking if they could tell me when the camera was made, but haven't heard from them yet. My MP works flawlessly, and cannot see any effects from the condensation.

Just a few words from the land of lego and open sandwiches.

/David

 

[zerobuttons]

Dunno. I also just got a used MP with serial number 298xxxx. It doesn't have the DIN numbers, but not sure how to tell if the viewfinder is sealed or not.
Two days ago I was out in freezing weather for hours. When I got indoors, the viewfinder filled up with condense. Does it mean the viewfinder isn't sealed? I don't know, it disappeared after 15 minutes.
I wrote to Leica Denmark asking if they could tell me when the camera was made, but haven't heard from them yet. My MP works flawlessly, and cannot see any effects from the condensation.

Mine is serial number 28807xx and has the DIN scale. When you use your camera outside with the temperatures we have in Denmark right now, you should place it in a tightly closed plastic bag just before entering your house again, and only open the bag when the camera housing is at room temperature. That way you will have as little condensation as possible. Purely physics.
With "Leica Denmark" I assume you mean Nordisk Foto Import. Don´t expect any communication from them. You have greater chances getting an answer by turning to these fora.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

It is suggested newer MP has sealed finder after #3xxxxxx also newer models dont have DIN # I am looking at a used MP with serial 294xxxx it does not have DIN # can I assume it has sealed VF. Is there anyway to tell?

It's simple. Just slide the edge of a piece of paper (like a post-it-note) on the curved side behind the eyepiece. If you can see the edge of the paper inside the eyepiece, then it is not sealed.

On a sealed eyepiece, no matter how you try it, you should not be able to slide the edge of the paper through.

If you've determined the eyepiece is sealed, but the finder is full of dust particles, it is a poor seal and should be redone.

 

[boomguy57]

No. There have been no material changes to the MP since its 2003 release.

Early MPs had an M6-style ISO dial (as has already been pointed out) and the eyepiece was not sealed (due to its inferior design compared to all that preceded it) at the factory until well beyond 300xxxx.

Are you sure? My MP is 292xxxx and has the MP dial.

 

[V-12]

Are you sure? My MP is 292xxxx and has the MP dial.

It is very early serial numbers that got the DIN dial, maybe in the first few batches out of the factory.

 

[loquax ludens]

Are you sure? My MP is 292xxxx and has the MP dial.

boomguy, you are replying to a post that is more than 2.5 years old. I noticed you revived another old thread recently, the one about the MP that the owner removed the electronics, battery compartment, and ISO dial from.

Nothing wrong with it really, but you shouldn't necessarily expect a response.