Leica M-A Now the Best

[giganova]

This thread is such a mystery to me. I don't seem to get inside people's head why you would want a meter-less camera … for … I guess nostalgic reasons? 😉 When I started b&w film photography last year on a 35 year old Nikon I thought I'm getting old, senile & nostalgic. Maybe my mind isn't pure enough for an M-A and I would understand if I walk into a Leica store and the clerk yells at me "No Leica for you!". I'll ask my dad next week to give me his 1950s Edixa camera and make a few rolls of film guessing the correct exposure to see if that will get me into a state of perfect bliss! 😀

 

[bobkonos]

Well Jon, with a little luck and some-ahem-sales of gear here at RFF, I'll have an M-A with me when we meet up in September. Then Pioneer and I will be a pair of 61 year-olds with M-A cameras. Wish me luck....and some camera sales!

It's not important at all 🙂

Still, I think some of us are genuinely curious to know more about "what's under the hood" of the M-A. Not in a "which one is better" kind of way, but more of a "what is this new kid on the block all about then, hey" kind of way (at least, that's how I see it).



Ian Watts filled us in on some of the differences between the MP and M-A (that I personally wasn't aware of), such as different frame line layout, shorter shutter release action, and different internal baffling. All these differences makes sense with the metering system no longer present in the M-A.

If we delve a bit deeper into the camera... what about the rangefinder, shutter, and film advance mechanisms? Did Leica make any changes there? Or do the MP and M-A share the same components? I'm curious as I don't remember reading anything about this anywhere.



My guess would be that its in Leica's interest for the MP and M-A to share as many parts as possible (reduced costs, ease of parts procurement, assembly, maintenance etc.), but I could be wrong.

 

[Pioneer]

This thread is such a mystery to me. I don't seem to get inside people's head why you would want a meter-less camera … for … I guess nostalgic reasons? 😉 When I started b&w film photography last year on a 35 year old Nikon I thought I'm getting old, senile & nostalgic. Maybe my mind isn't pure enough for an M-A and I would understand if I walk into a Leica store and the clerk yells at me "No Leica for you!". I'll ask my dad next week to give me his 1950s Edixa camera and make a few rolls of film guessing the correct exposure to see if that will get me into a state of perfect bliss! 😀

That is why it is such a great time to live. There is choice all around. An M-A is not for everyone. Heck, a Leica is not for everyone. Even film may be too much headache. For some, the ability to take a picture and instantly share it is the only way to go.

Bliss is as bliss does. 😀

 

[music_healing]

lovely camera .. M-A

but in my and some user experiences ( 3 person new M-A) .. have lots of problems..

1. first silver M-A new.. day 2 stuck ... goes back to Solms get replaced after +/- 1 month (go to trouble number 5 )
2. while waiting, bought another new second black chrome M-A ... slight light leak in some frames... and the spacing of 36 frames is ridiculous .. some even go 2-3 x wider ....
3. a friend with his new silver M-A tend to stuck at counter 10-15 .. have to wind ... goes to leica again
4. another friend with silver M-A having the same stuck problems... stuck 10-15 , goes to Leica
5. the new replaced new silver M-A have strange light leak from the edge on some frames in 1 roll.. keep coming and send again to Leica

- all the 5 M-A having same problems... the negative show very uneven film spacing ... very ridiculous compared to all the M

I compare it to my M2-3-4-5-6 that always light tight, even spacing and never stuck

such lovely camera.. but small problems that annoy.. no joy of shooting since they spend more time in factory than in user hand

Maybe some user that get frustrated on the M-A QC...
but its sure are a very nice looking camera ...

Sincerely
William Jusuf

 

[Archiver]

@music+healing - thanks for the reports, that doesn't sound very good at all. Apart from the mechanical issues, it would be interesting to know how many frames per roll people are getting from the M-A.

Yesterday, I held a M-A for the first time and it was wonderful. And being black chrome, it was like having a black chrome MP a la carte without the price tag.

The notion of a completely mechanical M, free from any reliance on circuitry or batteries, more resistant to moisture, is very appealing. Assuming it works, of course.

 

[music_healing]

this is last roll from the newest silver M-A

MA problems by William Jusuf, on Flickr

the spacing is erratic ...
and my 2 friends (1 silver 1 black) also has the same problems..
the spacing is sometimes so wide.. after that its so narrow even almost continous ...


this new silver also has some unexplained edge light leak in some frames ....

i think the new replacement silver M-A is going back again for service ...



the silver M-A , tend to have the stuck shutter, esp in frame 10-15 (at least 2 new one did.. 1 is totally jam after 2nd roll)
the black one (1 sample only) dont have that shutter stuck problems

but all of them has the irreguler spacing problems
which our previous M never have that spacing problems

we get 35-37 frame btw

after all this is done... we might just sell it ... it spend more time in service than in field


But , this is one nice camera... maybe we just got lemons...

I sincerely will testify that this is one fine mechanical camera..
dont stop this small things from buying one

maybe our samples just bad bacthes


now back shooting with other analog M again



SIncerely
William Jusuf

@music+healing - thanks for the reports, that doesn't sound very good at all. Apart from the mechanical issues, it would be interesting to know how many frames per roll people are getting from the M-A.

Yesterday, I held a M-A for the first time and it was wonderful. And being black chrome, it was like having a black chrome MP a la carte without the price tag.

The notion of a completely mechanical M, free from any reliance on circuitry or batteries, more resistant to moisture, is very appealing. Assuming it works, of course.

 

[Richard G]

This may seem snarky but it's a sincere question.

Does anyone feel the slightly longer shutter button travel of the MP is an actual hinderance ?

I use an M5 where that motion has a fair bit more resistance and travel than the MP and it's hardly an item to give thought to.

Just curious if this is a real thing or splitting the thinnest of hairs.
Thanks

I think this does matter. I tried to have my M6 made perfect like my M2, but apparently because of the demands of half press meter activation it was not possible. Yes the M5 is deeper still. For a good slow exposure my M2 is perfect in that the travel downwards of the shutter button trips the shutter long before the descending button meets the stop at the lowest point, which if reached with the shutter open could cause a small movement of the whole camera.

 

[Erik van Straten]

the M5 is deeper still

It is something to get used to, but that is hard when using different cameras all the time. I've put a very small "softie" on my M5 and try to press the button much firmer, wich is not easy.

Erik.

 

[Rayt]

A new camera from Leica! Advances in technology has enabled Leica to come out with a new camera that is totally battery independant and also slimmer than an M9. My M2 has served me well but it is time to upgrade.

 

[Erik van Straten]

My M2 has served me well but it is time to upgrade.

From the usual disasters with new models from Leica it is clear that it is wise to wait a little with this upgrade.

Erik.

 

[dave lackey]

this is last roll from the newest silver M-A

MA problems by William Jusuf, on Flickr

the spacing is erratic ...
and my 2 friends (1 silver 1 black) also has the same problems..
the spacing is sometimes so wide.. after that its so narrow even almost continous ...


this new silver also has some unexplained edge light leak in some frames ....

i think the new replacement silver M-A is going back again for service ...



the silver M-A , tend to have the stuck shutter, esp in frame 10-15 (at least 2 new one did.. 1 is totally jam after 2nd roll)
the black one (1 sample only) dont have that shutter stuck problems

but all of them has the irreguler spacing problems
which our previous M never have that spacing problems

we get 35-37 frame btw

after all this is done... we might just sell it ... it spend more time in service than in field


But , this is one nice camera... maybe we just got lemons...

I sincerely will testify that this is one fine mechanical camera..
dont stop this small things from buying one

maybe our samples just bad bacthes


now back shooting with other analog M again



SIncerely
William Jusuf

Hmmm...

Have any other M bodies exhibited this problem? M6? MP? Other?

What does Leica say about this problem?😱

 

[music_healing]

Hmmm...

Have any other M bodies exhibited this problem? M6? MP? Other?

What does Leica say about this problem?😱

From my personal camera .. m2-3-4-4p-5-6 , none ever give this spacing problem ..

My m6 once have stuck shutter ... serviced in Leica Solms...
smooth as new afterward (been > 1 years )

Only this new one exhibit this little problems

at first i thought its just a glitch...
then a fellow shooter said his new black m-a give erratic spacing problems also.. but no stuck shutter ... he's not sending it yet... since its still give +/- 36 frames..

then another friend said his silver always jammed in frame 10 to 15... and send it .. no news yet

On the second silver m-a (the replacement)
to my surprises ... this unit add an irreguler light leak on the edge.. same spacing problems... and occasionnaly stuck in mid roll ....

still considering to service again ...
or simply sell it afterward for the frustration it give ...

Now i am most confident shoot on field with M4

Sincerely
William Jusuf

 

[dave lackey]

Thank you, William. Hopefully Leica will have an explanation and a permanent solution. Jeez....🙂

 

[Pioneer]

That does seem very odd Music Healing. Neither my M-A nor any of my other M cameras have ever shown this type of problem. The last time I saw spacing this off kilter it came from one of my Contaflex cameras, but I was able to get that sorted out.

It is almost as if the quick load rosebud isn't winding the film in properly so the film slacks off and skips a few teeth. Can you feel it happening? With the Contaflex I could feel the wind on slipping.

 

[music_healing]

That does seem very odd Music Healing. Neither my M-A nor any of my other M cameras have ever shown this type of problem. The last time I saw spacing this off kilter it came from one of my Contaflex cameras, but I was able to get that sorted out.

It is almost as if the quick load rosebud isn't winding the film in properly so the film slacks off and skips a few teeth. Can you feel it happening? With the Contaflex I could feel the wind on slipping.

i dont feel anything strange or odd when winding ... even tension feeling
The loading, winding, rewinding, feel ok ... like other M

 

[daveywaugh]

Price aside for a moment (and yes that is hard) - I can't imagine any lover of an M2/3/4 not lusting after an M-A. IMO, it's simply the best looking, most perfect camera in this friggin universe... but sure, each to their own. The comment earlier about the iPhone comparison is interesting. Frankly I can't, and probably never will, be able to afford an M-A but I don't think it's ridiculously expensive. I could get 50 years and my son or daughter could get another 50 so the yearly cost is pretty small! 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

Hmmm...

Have any other M bodies exhibited this problem? M6? MP? Other?

What does Leica say about this problem?😱

My M4-2 and CL show consistent frame spacing unless I use Rollei-Agfa Superpan 200. Even my Nikon F6 shows inconsistent frame spacing with that film ... It's just very very thin and seems to skip sprockets now and then. It drives the Coolscan V autoloader nutty too.

G

 

[ooze]

i dont feel anything strange or odd when winding ... even tension feeling
The loading, winding, rewinding, feel ok ... like other M

I suggest you sacrifice a roll of film. Load the film as usual but leave the base plate off, and physically look at what's happening as you wind the film.

 

[Godfrey]

I suggest you sacrifice a roll of film. Load the film as usual but leave the base plate off, and physically look at what's happening as you wind the film.

Without the baseplate in place to provide the transport system guide for the film, an M is more likely to misfeed and skip sprockets.

G

 

[FrozenInTime]

Try with the base plate on but the back door open ; perhaps use a fibre tip pen to mark the film gate edge on the film.

I once had a Seitz roundshot in which the spacing varied depending on the time between shots - i.e. the film relaxed and slipped over a few hours.