I'm Thinking Of Getting A Leica MP

[Vincent.G]

I always have this thought in my mind ever since I started using Leica M cameras. I am just going to put aside what my wife would say to me when I tell her I am getting another camera for the time being.

Is it a rite of passage? Is this lust a passing phase?

Anybody felt the same way?

 

[Robert Lai]

The MP is the last of the line. I don't know if they still make the M7, but that's the one that I went for, as I like to have autoexposure and TTL flash capability. My wife accepted the M7, as her father had used two M3s all his life (big relief).

However, when the Leica-lust gets to you, no logical arguments are going to sway you. I thought that I would never buy another LTM camera, because I've got too many already. Well, I just bought Vikko's IIIF. Same reason, I guess: Leica lust.

 

[thegman]

Agree with Robert. it's lust, it may pass, it may not.

I got one, kept it for a couple of months, sold it. For me, the magic went away, and I realised I preferred the M3. These days I reserve my lust for Rolleiflex, who knows what will come next, maybe large format.

 

[kshapero]

Had an MP. Obviously there is nothing to say except how great it is. I sold it and I am happier with an M3.

 

[Vincent.G]

Interesting... 3 posts before this that mentions the M3...

 

[Instantclassic]

I have sold all the old leicas and got the MP with a summicron 35mm ASPH.
I am satisfied.

 

[lam]

It's all about what you can afford and what you can justify.

I've never owned an MP but have handled/used a few,
I myself have a quaint M6. 😉

 

[mfogiel]

Take the logic of "pure and durable" one step more, and get an M4. Much cheaper to satisfy your GAS.

 

[Vincent.G]

I have sold all the old leicas and got the MP with a summicron 35mm ASPH.
I am satisfied.

Cool. I got a 35 cron asph too.

 

[Vincent.G]

It's all about what you can afford and what you can justify.

I've never owned an MP but have handled/used a few,
I myself have a quaint M6. 😉

I had two M6 classics before. I bought them because i wanted a metered body. The RF patch flare was annoying. I did the MP flare free finder upgrade but improvement was minimal. I was expecting more. I did not like the flimsy rewind crank too. I sold both.

Nonetheless they are nice cameras but just not suitable for me.

 

[Vincent.G]

Take the logic of "pure and durable" one step more, and get an M4. Much cheaper to satisfy your GAS.

I recently sold my M4 to fund a hasselblad. Yikes! 🙄
No Leica M bodies for now.
My crons are idling now... Beckoning to be used.

 

[lam]

Sounds like your needs are specific, MP seems to be the best choice then 😉

 

[helen.HH]

hmmmm....
To have an MP as a Thing of Beauty...YES
To have as an everyday Camera...not necessary

since I know Your Work & the various cameras You use
I think its Silly Vincent...your Damn Good on your Own with whatever Camera !! 🙂

An MP is not going to make You a Better photographer just a Man of Envy with a Beauty round your Neck 😱
and its certainly Hard to Resist the Temptation of Beauty


Best -H

 

[Vincent.G]

Thanks for the whip, Helen!
I needed That!
My Lust is gone for good.
Perhaps a simple M2 is All I really need.

 

[boomguy57]

I have an MP and love it. I just recently acquired an M6TTL again as a second body and was surprised how much I prefer the weight and handling of the MP; it just feels more solid. I also prefer the rewind knob of the MP over the crank of the M6.

At the end of the day it's a personal preference. People have listed just about every other M made in this thread as an alternative to the MP for you. You have to make up your own mind and justify the price to yourself. However, I doubt you'll be disappointed if you spring for it--it's obviously a fantastic camera.

 

[iuseruby]

Perhaps a simple M2 is All I really need.

good thought. I've bought M2 and stop thinking about other M bodies.

 

[Ade-oh]

I've got one: it's great!

 

[maitani]

since getting an BP M4 my MP gas went away for good, right now I have M7(w/MP finder) gas, this would be the ideal path for my workflow, I recently almost got a chrome MP-3 for almost nothing (was too cheap labelled...), but when I called it was (logically) sold the day before.... now that one would have been nice...

 

[Roger Hicks]

If you don't want VF patch flare-out (very rare, but infuriating when it happens) you want an M3, M2 or MP (not sure whether they've changed the M7).

If you want the stronger, very slightly slower rewind knob, you want M2, M3, MP, or à la carte.

If you want a meter, you need M5, M6/6ttl, M7, MP.

I own M2, M4-P, MP; have owned two or three M3s (sold at a profit -- a very large profit for the black one -- because I use 35mm lenses a lot); and have used M6, M6ttl and M7. For me, the MP is easily the best compromise on features, smoothness, etc. Otherwise, M3s are smoothest but no 35mm frame lets them out for me, and because I like the 75 Summicron the MP beats the M2 even without considering the meter.

Cheers,

R.

 

[mervynyan]

MP and 35lux is my everyday camera, I'd say 90% of the shoots came from that. Rest of the gears are backup of backups-🙂