Finally... I have a Leica

[LeicaFan]

Hi all,

Some of you may have seen my thread from about a month ago where I was thinking about selling my Nikon D3 for a Leica M3 (http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99012). At first, I thought that the M3 would be perfect for me. I loved the classic design of it and the simplicity. After looking more and more into M bodies, I also considered the M6 (because of the meter) and also the MP. The MP is the best of both worlds (i.e., M3 styling with a meter), but the price was much more than what I wanted to spend.

Long story short, I put a WTB ad on another photography forum for an MP, thinking that I might get one for a good deal, and to my surprise, somebody contacted me with an MP that they were willing to sell. Originally, I wanted the .85x finder because I thought that a 50mm lens would be best for me, however this particular MP had a .72x finder. It was in mint (and I mean MINT) condition (I don't think it was ever used) and the price was very good. I couldn't pass it up. After seeing many great pictures that were produced with the Zeiss Biogon 35/2, I decided that it was the lens for me.

I cannot wait to start my journey with my MP and I would like to thank all of you for providing so much great information. I look forward to sharing my pictures with all of you and taking part in one of the best forums out there.

Wes 🙂

(Please excuse the poor iphone picture.)

 

[Keith]

Wow ... that's some start into rangefinders!

Very nice ... I hope it measures up to your expectations. 🙂

 

[kbg32]

Beautiful. Congrats!

 

[KoNickon]

Well, you sure started at the top! No need for you to check out any of the others -- though I bet you will be tempted.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Nice job... and I think you'll like the 35mm focal length better than the 50mm. I began with a 50 myself, but soon enough I realized that my vision is wider. Congratulations!

BTW, did you actually sell the D3 then? Curiosity... I have a D700 myself, but recently bought an M5 with a nice 35mm f1.4 Nokton, so I don't see these two camera systems as mutually exclusive.

 

[dogberryjr]

Spiffy!!!!

 

[robklurfield]

really nice. enjoy in good health. make lots of images and post 'em here.

 

[LeicaFan]

Thank you all for the kind words!

BTW, did you actually sell the D3 then? Curiosity... I have a D700 myself, but recently bought an M5 with a nice 35mm f1.4 Nokton, so I don't see these two camera systems as mutually exclusive.

Yes. I like to keep my load pretty light. For the time being, I want my MP to be my only camera. If I decide to buy another digital, it will probably be an E-P2 (or its replacement).

 

[back alley]

i'd say that was a pretty good start!!

 

[Keith]

This could be a whole new gas experience where you start at the top then work your backwards to an FSU with bad frame spacing and light leaks! 😀

 

[back alley]

should we start a wager as to when he gets his second lens?

 

[Phil_F_NM]

should we start a wager as to when he gets his second lens?

3 months

Or send him over to the 35mm pre-ASPH 'Lux thread or the Super Angulon thread. Those should have warnings about GAS in the first entry!

Congrats on the new camera! Have fun!

Phil Forrest

 

[drinkingeye]

great package! wish you lots of fun with this wonderful precision tool call MP!

 

[sojournerphoto]

Ha ha ha!

What a great tale. I'm occasionally tempted by an MP and the 35 Biogon is a great lens. Enjoy, and I look forward to seeing some pictures.

You should probably search for Mike Johnstone's 'One Leica, One Year' post on The Online Photographer.

Mike

 

[LeicaFan]

Maybe some of you can help me as I seem to be having a hard time loading my MP. I followed this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEyt94xMNUY

Is this an acceptable method? When advancing the film, I feel a bit of tension, more than just advancing the crank of there was no film in the camera (if that makes sense). I took off the base plate to see if everything was fine and indeed, everything seemed to be in order. Nothing was getting jammed up and the film was advancing smoothly. To be clear, every time I advance the film, I see the rewind knob moving in the opposite direction as the arrow. I just want to make sure that the feeling of slight tension is normal.

I also tried this method with another roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ7KMr1yrOQ

As soon as I pulled up on the rewind knob and started to wind it, I felt some resistance and then it lost all resistance. I believe that the film slipped. When I took off the base plate, it looked like the film was getting jammed up.

I know that I wasted 2 rolls of film, but I rather do it now and learn from my mistakes than not loading the film properly when I am actually shooting.

 

[Haigh]

Congrats. What a combination. I look forward to you posting your shots.I have an old M4-P and have to be very careful loading it and am only happy when I see the rewind knob/handle rotating when I advance the film. Good luck. You need a Zen moment loading a Leica M.

 

[jarski]

Uber Kamera. might actually become cheaper this way too, instead of going through all various M-models one after another, like some 😱 yes lenses are another money pit, better continue same pragmatic shopping with those also.

 

[LKeithR]

THat's funny, I started with an M6 and work my way back to an M2.

Anybody want to buy my M4-P. It's in the classifieds NOW.

Is that yours on Craigslist? Oops, sorry, guess not; the one on CL is an M4. I took a long look at the ad but, sadly, it's just not in the cards right now...

 

[delft]

Maybe some of you can help me as I seem to be having a hard time loading my MP....

Make sure the film goes between the tongues in the take-up spool and goes straight across the film-path. If you HAVE to fiddle with the rewind-knob (as the 2nd video shows), do it after a 1st wind-on. During that wind-on, you can allready see if the film ' takes' .

Happy shooting,

Dirk

P.S.
Feeling a little extra tension when film is loaded is normal.

 

[leicashot]

She's gorgeous. Super Congrats!