An MP-6??

[RFluhver]

Well, boys, it's a Friday night and I thought what better way to spend the early evening after work in Tokyo than to head out to Shinjuku, have some sushi for dinner, browse around www.lucky-camera.com, then head to the west side to drop in on Map Camera.

Anyway, I have a question. In the Leica-filled walls of B1 in Map Camera I spotted something called an "MP-6". What the hell is that? Anyone know?

Btw, if you've not been to Map Camera, it is just heaven!

 

[abenner]

A limited production run of MP's for Japan with classic top plate engraving and cover changed to vulcanite. Otherwise standard MP.

 

[mgd711]

It was a Japanese market special, apparently there were only 400 made.

 

[ray*j*gun]

The linc doesnt seem to work....I'd love to to see that MP.

 

[RFluhver]

The link is to Lucky Camera (now fixed).

And here's the MP-6 in Map Camera. You can expand the image for a closer look. It's on sale for JPY480K or about USD$5K or 3,750 euros.

 

[sepiareverb]

I have an a la carte camera exactly like this but in black chrome, via another RFF member.

 

[Bill Blackwell]

...I spotted something called an "MP-6". What the hell is that? Anyone know?...

The first 400 Leica MP cameras were designated "MP-6" with the full traditional engraving. As already indicated, they were released for the Japanese market, but could be gotten in other markets as well.

As I recall the MP was released in the US at $2,495 (MAP) and the MP-6 could be had for about $2,800. There was no MP-6 MAP price for the US market.

They sold out quickly.

 

[RFluhver]

There's actually a picture of an MP-6 in the wild here. Scroll down to the Mar 8 entry.

Btw chaps, I was in Ginza today and visited two places with wall-to-wall Leica. First was Katsumido then I went to Lemon Sha. Both were just amazing, but the latter is preferred as their prices were better and the atmosphere seemed friendlier. Katsumido was a bit snobby.

I wanted to drop in on Sankyo but it was closed today. There is a nice post here about Sankyo.

 

[RFluhver]

I'm out and about again tonight and guess what? I spot another Leica that is new to me. It's called a KE7A which is apparently a US military issued version of the M4.

Oh, and I bought a cheap used CV 35/2.5 Classic.

 

[furcafe]

Another U.S. military Leica that you might run into is the KS-15(4), which was the predecessor to the M2-R. It's basically a M2 w/the original "rapid load" system that was put into the M4 (plus some extra weather sealing). KS-15(4) bodies are simply marked "M2," but leftovers from the military contract were sold on the civilian market as the "M2-R."

I'm out and about again tonight and guess what? I spot another Leica that is new to me. It's called a KE7A which is apparently a US military issued version of the M4.

Oh, and I bought a cheap used CV 35/2.5 Classic.

 

[fbf]

KS-15 is my favorite M2 ever. It usually runs cheaper than M2R too.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Lucky Camera is the dodgiest used camera store in Tokyo IMO. A case of buyer beware!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Fujiya is the best for sure Nate! The best prices, six month warranty on all used items over 10,500 yen, and they have an excellent return policy. What more can one ask for!

As for those beers, I forgot who owes who the beer, so we'll have to drink until either one of us remembers 😀

 

[RFluhver]

Fujiya is in Nakano, right? Do you know which exit I take at Nakano station? I'm only a couple of stops away but never been to Fujiya.

 

[jonmanjiro]

There's actually a picture of an MP-6 in the wild here. Scroll down to the Mar 8 entry.

Btw chaps, I was in Ginza today and visited two places with wall-to-wall Leica. First was Katsumido then I went to Lemon Sha. Both were just amazing, but the latter is preferred as their prices were better and the atmosphere seemed friendlier. Katsumido was a bit snobby.

I wanted to drop in on Sankyo but it was closed today. There is a nice post here about Sankyo.

The shops in the Ginza can be dodgy too. Katsumido is glorious, but their prices are so high I wonder who buys anything there. Most of the used gear at Lemonsha is on consignment, so if you discover something wrong with the camera you just bought five minutes after you walk out the door, tough titties. Sucks big time when you just bought a $4,000 camera you thought you checked over thoroughly, and discover fungus in the finder . Luckily, I was able to fudge the blank warranty card and get the finder cleaned "under warranty" by the manufacturer. Nikon House and Sukiya Camera also don't offer any warranty and won't accept returns.

The two best stores in Tokyo are Fujiya and MAP Camera by far IMO. MAP can be a bit pricey, but they've always got great gear in stock!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Fujiya is in Nakano, right? Do you know which exit I take at Nakano station? I'm only a couple of stops away but never been to Fujiya.

Yes, its in Nakano. Take the north exit, enter the covered shopping arcade, and then take the very first right (about 15 metres in), and then walk about 50-60m down that side street.

 

[furcafe]

Agreed. Mine was certainly reasonably priced: slightly more than a regular M2 in same condition, probably because it had some inventory/service #s scratched on it (sold by Adorama on eBay as surplus from a gov't agency, IIRC).

KS-15 is my favorite M2 ever. It usually runs cheaper than M2R too.

 

[iwaki]

so which one of you bought the MP-6 from MapCamera? 😀

 

[jonmanjiro]

Nakano Sun Mall

Nakano Sun Mall

Yes, its in Nakano. Take the north exit, enter the covered shopping arcade, and then take the very first right (about 15 metres in), and then walk about 50-60m down that side street.

FYI here's a pic of the covered shopping arcade I was referring to. It's called Nakano Sun Mall.

 

[RFluhver]

Yeah...yeah...I was there last THursday and again today. I wasn't particularly impressed with Fujiya, though. The stock was so-so, while the prices were not much more competitive than everywhere else. But I did spot the second only ever Zuiko 40/2 in my life and bought a box of Velvia 50.

Anyway, I went to Map Camera and there I saw for the first time an M6J.