Leica M-A Now the Best

[Pioneer]

Reading this thread is more depressing an experience than any issue I've had with Leica products. I've bought four new Leica cameras and two new Leica lenses in the past six years and all were perfect as purchased. One, the M9, developed the now infamous sensor corrosion after three years—I bought the fourth camera when I upgraded to the M-P.

Nothing has stopped working, let me down, had light leaks, or any miscalibrated focusing systems/lenses, etc. It all works as it was designed to. I expect if I bought an M-A*body, it would be the same—as it surely is for the vast majority of buyers.

I'll stop reading this thread now. My M4-2 is loaded with Superpan 200, the Leicameter MR-4 is fitted, the Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 is on it, and I'll go for a walk with it at lunch time. Either that or process another roll of film that's waiting for my attention. 🙂

G

Great idea Godfrey!!

I'm right behind you. I have some Adox CMS 20 loaded and the Nokton 50/1.1 on board.

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

The review dwells on the types of pedantic matters that seem to match up well with the images shown. People who find those scenes interesting enough to photograph AND THEN SHOW would probably also find the difference between brass and zinc parts to be of interest. I still don't think there has been a 'real photographer' worth a damn who has ever cared about such things. Seems more to be a set of issues for collectors and whatever type of hostorian deals with consumer objects.

Some Ms have the framelines you need. Some have the appropriate viewfinder for your lenses. Some have a meter for adults. Some have a meter for children. Pick one that makes sense and get on with it.

 

[nobbylon]

'now the best' ? I think thats a bit of a stretch if only because it's basically an M3 and M2 joined together. I get the point about it being new and one owner if you decide to buy one but that is a lot of money for what it actually is. For me it should have had an M3 style top plate and some proper vulcanite. The first thing I'd do is send it off to Peter Grisaffi for a recover. The rewind is always going to be a debate but picking the best of what has gone before would mean the new angled rewind as progress even though i'm fond of the old type. I've not used one so can't comment on frame line accuracy but I would hope they are accurate. As for the minor problems some people have had, I think all manufacturers have QC issues and it's just the price point that makes people squirm when they get affected.
Personally I can't see the point of this camera UNLESS you want to be the first owner of an all mechanical reproduction of an old camera. There's plenty of mint M2's around and M4's that can have finder upgrades and new shutters IF necessary which will outlast most owners and save $3000.
Just my opinion 🙂

 

[CK Dexter Haven]

I don't mind being called a mediocre photographer, but give me a BP Leica.

Oh, Ned. You're not "mediocre."

😉

 

[music_healing]

this is one of the frame having the leak ..
last roll i use the 2nd camera

light leak by William Jusuf, on Flickr

and the light leak can occur elsewhere..

i choose the one like yours

Sincerely
William Jusuf

PS: i am not such a techie guy. plan to send it again next week to Solms..

Sounds very frustrating. I've had an M-A since last October and haven't had problems with film spacing or stuck film but I did have an intermittent light leak (see example below). Rather than repair it Leica replaced the camera a few weeks ago. I haven't noticed any problems with the replacement camera.

I'll be interested to hear what Leica have to say about your latest problems.

 

[ian_watts]

William (if you pick up on this thread from last summer), did you ever get your light-leaking M-A resolved? My replacement has been 100% free of the problem and the film spacing is perfectly normal (not that the latter has been a problem for me).

this is one of the frame having the leak ..
last roll i use the 2nd camera

light leak by William Jusuf, on Flickr

and the light leak can occur elsewhere..

i choose the one like yours

Sincerely
William Jusuf

PS: i am not such a techie guy. plan to send it again next week to Solms..

 

[mikyor1]

While I cannot disagree that quality control should be better at Leica, not to mention a bunch of other companies I can think of, I am not so certain that people are actually defending the company. Maybe they like their camera? Particularly when it works as intended.

While we are on the topic of quality control, I think people may be wearing rose-colored glasses when looking back at how well products were built in the past. Leicas were basically hand assembled. QC depended on the technician responsible for the assembly. There was a very good reason for the large number of internal adjustments.

But...what do I know?

EDIT- When did Deming come along? Somehow I recall that the entire idea of quality control came from some of his thoughts and writing?

I agree 100%, there is no reason a M-A, mechanical camera with a retail over 4k should have issues like this. Spacing and light leaks? its 2016, how this is an issue blows my mind.

 

[Pioneer]

I still stand by my initial impression. For those who enjoy film photography without any of the extras, the new Leica M-A is the finest camera currently available.

Fortunately, if you do like a meter, Leica does have an option for you.

If you like digital, again Leica has you covered.

If you like used cameras, then there is a huge number of terrific options out there on the market for you, some of them may even be from other manufacturers.

But for those of us who prefer the simplicity of the M3 or M2, the MA is an absolutely awesome camera, the best in a long line of great cameras.

 

[dave lackey]

I still stand by my initial impression. For those who enjoy film photography without any of the extras, the new Leica M-A is the finest camera currently available.

Fortunately, if you do like a meter, Leica does have an option for you.

If you like digital, again Leica has you covered.

If you like used cameras, then there is a hue number of terrific options out there on the market for you, some of them may even be from other manufacturers.

But for those of us who prefer the simplicity of the M3 or M2, the MA is an absolutely awesome camera, the best in a long line of great cameras.

I totally agree! Not that I will ever be able to afford one, but this is a superb camera from what I have seen and read... Is there an update on any recent problems with film transport or other issues? I hope all of those teething problems have been solved!😀

 

[music_healing]

William (if you pick up on this thread from last summer), did you ever get your light-leaking M-A resolved? My replacement has been 100% free of the problem and the film spacing is perfectly normal (not that the latter has been a problem for me).

its been a troublesome for me .. after they return it ..
I had friend who really love it .. Sold the M-A .. back to M4 (and other M)

1 month ago , I had a deal i cant refuse .. a BNIB MP BP from a friend who travel to Japan ... (lower price than new M-A) .. I took it and never have any problem ever since...

my friend who bought the M-A .. is trouble free until now ...
Solms has fixed all those uneven spacing and esp the ireguler light leak

me happy, my buddy happy

Sincerely
William Jusuf

 

[Dante_Stella]

The speed dial has a slot in it to couple with a Leicameter. Remarkable. The last Leicameters were made in 1985, thirty years ago. Isn't it about time Leica offers a Leicameter again? A modern, digital lightmeter that couples to the speed dial would be a most welcome accessory for many users, also for users of the old meterless M Leicas.

Erik.

Same part they have been selling as a replacement M3 shutter speed dial for the past 15 years. So probably not intentionally designed for an obsolete meter; more likely, it is Leica's not bothering to design a new part.

Dante

 

[ian_watts]

1 month ago , I had a deal i cant refuse .. a BNIB MP BP from a friend who travel to Japan ... (lower price than new M-A) .. I took it and never have any problem ever since...

my friend who bought the M-A .. is trouble free until now ...
Solms has fixed all those uneven spacing and esp the ireguler light leak

me happy, my buddy happy

Thanks for the update, William. Good that everyone is now happy.🙂

 

[traveler_101]

Lost in these last few posts.
What on earth could be the benifit of an external exposure meter when a perfectly PERFECT one is already available built in to the MP (for less money overall mind you!).
I'm an idiot or maybe just a complete simpleton or you all have been overcome by nostalgia 😱

Well then we are both idiots because I had the same reaction about lack of a meter. Some of the subsequent posts explained that framing is better on the meter less camera - well, ok, I guess.

It is supposed to be personal, it is my personal blog ...
Always looking to learn where my knowledge falls short, so if you would like to correct my historical inaccuracies, a comment below the post would be useful for me and anyone else reading it.

I thought the historical part was well done, but there is one thing I noticed. The first part of the piece presents the M-A as the camera that recovers the spirit of the original M camera - the M3: no compromises in quality of materials and attention to detail. Fine, except it is conceivable that our "head bartender" is right when he argues that the best single thing about the M3 was its big .91 VF.

And, of course, the experience of Music-Healing with his M-A makes you wonder. Someone earlier said $4200 is not a lot of money compared to $1000 for a disposable I-phone. Well, I don't have an I-phone, or an automobile, and when it comes to film cameras I drive a Ford (Bessa R), though I do also have a Leitz Barnack 🙂 If I really wanted a new Leica, I guess I could come up with the $4200 - with sacrifice over time - but if I did I would certainly expect mechanical perfection. Haphazard frames and light leak - unbelievable.

 

[maggieo]

It's undeniably a gorgeous camera, but I just can't shake the idea that an M3/2/4/ etc.. with a CLA is the better value.

This rig cost me all of $630 and it's still going strong:


Leica M4-P With 50mm f2 Jupiter-8 Lens, April, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr

 

[Huss]

It's undeniably a gorgeous camera, but I just can't shake the idea that an M3/2/4/ etc.. with a CLA is the better value.

This rig cost me all of $630 and it's still going strong:
Leica M4-P With 50mm f2 Jupiter-8 Lens, April, 2010 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr

Not just arguably a better value but arguably better cameras. I've never had these issues with any of my old film M cameras, plus the M3 has the never equaled in Leicadom .91 finder.
I look at the MA and think it's like my M3, but worse.
But then I also look at it and think it's pretty awesome that there is a mfg out there that is making this camera in 2016.

 

[MikeChong]

I just received my M-A, purchased used, with zero handling marks, at a very good price. It had a few rolls through it according to the previous owner, who I totally trust. It's a marvelous mechanical camera, and the fact it is being produced today for a small niche of film shooters is amazing in itself. There are many ways in achieving what this camera is all about and what it can do for substantially less. It's all a personal choice. But as many have said before, it's been refined with subtle changes, it's internals are brand new, it's good for the next 60 years with the occasional CLA. It's got the "new car smell" all over it. It screams "Take me out and shoot, dam it!" I love mine, no regrets here.

 

[Pioneer]

Congrats Mike. Enjoy your wonderful new camera. They truly are terrific cameras.

 

[SaveKodak]

Considering what we know from experience about Leica's manufacturing these days, I don't think we actually know what choices were made in the design of the M-A. On paper it seems like they made an M4 with M6 frame lines, good for them. But are the parts are manufacturing process the same? I could venture a guess, but we just don't know. If I had to bet I'd say they took the M-P bits, sealed up the battery chamber, and threw on different external plates, leaving out whatever LEDs they needed for the meter. I'd go as far as to say they could have just made the thing an A La Carte option set for the MP, but I suppose that doesn't get the bloggers excited.

Outside of the luxury world, I just bought an M4, fresh from full overhaul, for about a grand USD. If I had to bet on which one will lose more value, it wouldn't be my 50 year old camera. 😎

 

[Pioneer]

Considering what we know from experience about Leica's manufacturing these days, I don't think we actually know what choices were made in the design of the M-A. On paper it seems like they made an M4 with M6 frame lines, good for them. But are the parts are manufacturing process the same? I could venture a guess, but we just don't know. If I had to bet I'd say they took the M-P bits, sealed up the battery chamber, and threw on different external plates, leaving out whatever LEDs they needed for the meter. I'd go as far as to say they could have just made the thing an A La Carte option set for the MP, but I suppose that doesn't get the bloggers excited.

Outside of the luxury world, I just bought an M4, fresh from full overhaul, for about a grand USD. If I had to bet on which one will lose more value, it wouldn't be my 50 year old camera. 😎

You are absolutely right. Your M4 will retain its' $1,000 value for quite awhile while my $5,000 M-A was losing value on its trip from San Francisco to my house in Nevada.

Somehow that just doesn't concern me too much. I just hope that I will get at least $5,000 worth of fun with it.

BTW - I never considered myself in the luxury world before. Thx.

Enjoy your M4, it should provide you with a lifetime of fun. 🙂

EDIT - Overall camera value is a bit of a tricky thing to evaluate if you will. Even the cost of your M4 is rampant excessive consumerism next to the prices on perfectly wonderful Minolta SRT101 cameras. They will both take very similar photographs and an argument could be made that the SRT101 will likely last longer before needing any service work at all.

 

[Huss]

Even the cost of your M4 is rampant excessive consumerism next to the prices on perfectly wonderful Minolta SRT101 cameras. They will both take very similar photographs and an argument could be made that the SRT101 will likely last longer before needing any service work at all.

Reality check - I have old Minolta SLRs, as well as Leica Ms. And I love both, but there is nothing about rampant consumerism that describes the divide in build and finish between the two.
One is made to the highest standard avaiable, in relatively small numbers cost be d-mmed, the other is the Minolta.
😉

(I however would describe it as rampant consumerism slapping Leica badges on Panasonic digicams..)