Used Leica’s serial unknown to Leica?

[WoodallP]

I went to my local Leica store.

A couple of people there inspected the camera and both said that it definitely looks and feels real, even after comparing it to one of their own MPs.

There was a difference in the sticker on the bottom plate - mine just has CE, theirs has multiple (CE, UK CA etc). One person, after dropping both bottom plates on the table, noticed a slight difference in sound, and the other one said that the bottom plate is somehow different from the plate of their own old MP.

But the most interesting part was with the serial. The store MP is from 2025, mine's allegedly from 2023. Mine's serial number is higher than theirs.

All in all, glad I went, because that was quite entertaining (and informative; also the staff was so friendly and helpful 🥰). They wrote down my serial and said they'll try to find out what's up, because they're intrigued.

Barring the chance that they somehow come back to me with a confirmation that the serial is real, I think this is a pretty clear indicator that I should not keep this thing. Even because if I do, I think it'll always be in the back of my mind.

I would guess that since the new M6 came out sales of MPs would have slowed down and I can imagine that stock can stay in the shop for a couple of years or so, so serial numbers are probably all over the place. I would also guess that the chrome and black models have allocated number ranges and this too will distort any attempt to pin number to year. I also suppose that black sell faster so the numbers may be higher up in the allocated range.

My chrome MP bought new in 22/23 has just the CE on the bottom.

I personally doubt anyone has ever faked a modern MP, or if they have it was for their own personal project and not to sell; there is just no point as you would have to start with an M6 and then spend a fortune on new top plate etc. However I understand your point about having it in the back of your mind.

I don't know if info@leica-camera.com will give information on modern cameras, they are very good with older ones. It may be worth you mailing them and asking them to confirm it is an MP.

 

[splitimageview]

Top plate from what camera would fit an M6 with a rewind knob instead of an angled rewind crank? Curious...

 

[splitimageview]

@ilya have you tried emailing classicstore.wetzlar@leica-camera.com ?

I usually get quick responses.

 

[WoodallP]

Top plate from what camera would fit an M6 with a rewind knob instead of an angled rewind crank? Curious...

Agreed, I don't think it could be done, but even if it could it would be pointless to try and do it to make a fake for financial gain. You would need someone very very good at cameras and very very bad at economics!

 

[ilya]

I've been in contact with `customer.care@leica-camera.com`, not sure if that's the same as classicstore.wetzlar@ or info@, as in, access to the same information? They're the one who told me the serial is unknown to them.

 

[splitimageview]

I have no experience with info or customer.care email addresses but classicstore replies promptly.

 

[Rob-F]

I saw M6TTL converted to MP style, when Dave in charge the Leica USA parts dept. nowadays is impossible get parts from Leica USA

I had trouble understanding this. It seems to say that Dave (Elwell?) at Leica USA says it's impossible to get parts from Leica USA. Was it meant to say Leica USA can't get them from Leica Germany? Or does it mean exactly what it says, that Leica USA no longer supplies/sells spare parts to anybody, period?

 

[Ororaro]

There’s no such thing as a fake mp… come on guys…

 

[Duofold RF]

Argh, the relica MP parts aren’t difficult to source… in the places so many replicas going around, and they are very well made. I am not claiming that whatever the original post MP is not authentic—just that the paint looks different.

 

[Duofold RF]

I had trouble understanding this. It seems to say that Dave (Elwell?) at Leica USA says it's impossible to get parts from Leica USA. Was it meant to say Leica USA can't get them from Leica Germany? Or does it mean exactly what it says, that Leica USA no longer supplies/sells spare parts to anybody, period?

Sorry, I was walking and typing. When Dave was the parts dept manager, it was fairly easy to order parts from Leica USA; today, maybe not so easy.

 

[Duofold RF]

There’s no such thing as a fake mp… come on guys…

Maybe not fake but frankensteined, I guess that’s why Leica was unable to locate or match the SN#

 

[splitimageview]

Correct, impossible now. Dave retired a whille back.

Any M2 top plate modified with metal work (like in the M2 top plate pics in post #29) will not have the same window look as at MP. The window glass is mounted in an entirely different manner, from the outside as it were. M2 top plates mount the glass from the inside and the frame around the glass is different. This may fool an untrained eye but not a Leicaphile.

The pics of the camera in this thread have correct viewfinder glass.

 

[Duofold RF]

Correct, impossible now.

Any M2 top plate with metal work will not have the same window look as at MP. The window glass is mounted in an entirely different manner, from the outside as it were. M2 top plates mount the glass from the inside and the frame around the glass is different. This may fool an untrained eye but not a Leicaphile.

The pics of the camera in this thread have correct viewfinder glass.

In the Mr. Z’s place, CNC is just like BBQ oven in USA, every family have one….. make a part as easy as buy a beer in a gas station

 

[splitimageview]

Imagine going to all the effort of mimicking a Leica top plate to the nth degree using CNC but using an M6 serial number. 😂

 

[Duofold RF]

Imagine going to all the effort of mimicking a Leica top plate to the nth degree using CNC but using an M6 serial number. 😂

It is difficult to understand from the point of view of places where high labor and material costs make it beyond economic sense, but not from places where manufacturing is cheap.

 

[splitimageview]

I know all about Chinese CNC manufacturing having had my products made there myself.

I'd like to see "proof of life" of other such franken-Leica MPs, if they exist.

 

[Duofold RF]

When I was asked Dave how to convert M6TTL to this one, Dave listed all parts needed.

 

[splitimageview]

No doubt Dave would know what parts were required for that mix, but it’s not a MP, and obviously he would just give you a parts list.

The implication from earlier in the thread was that this MP in question is not really an MP, rather, it's an M6 masquerading as an MP, done by a third party to fool a buyer and make a profit.

Using OEM parts for a conversion is another discussion.

Eager to hear what response @ilya receives from classicstore.wetzlar@leica-camera.com!

 

[Duofold RF]

No doubt Dave would know what parts were required for that mix, but it’s not a MP, and obviously he would just give you a parts list.

The implication from earlier in the thread was that this MP in question is not really an MP, rather, it's an M6 masquerading as an MP, done by a third party to fool a buyer and make a profit.

Using OEM parts for a conversion is another discussion.

Eager to hear what response @ilya receives from classicstore.wetzlar@leica-camera.com!

I have no idea the original posted MP is authentic or not, but the original maker was unable to verify it and suggested the buyer to return the camera to the seller.

 

[Duofold RF]

There’s no such thing as a fake mp… come on guys…

Do you want to buy a replica summicron IV 35mm f2?