Leica M-A Now the Best

[Pioneer]

Koolaid check.

I own and use both as well. You must be looking at different cameras than I am. One is a nice rangefinder, the other an equally nice slr. One was built by a committed and respected German camera manufacturer, the other by a committed and respected Japanese camera manufacturer. There is nothing magical about either of them.

 

[Huss]

Don't bogart that Minolta koolaid my friend, pass some along to me!

😉

 

[giganova]

A few weeks ago I had $5k to play with and almost bought an M-A. But then I came to my senses, bought an M4, a Super Angulon 21/3.4, and used the $3k that were leftover to make a downpayment on a new car. Sometimes I sit in my new car, the M4+SA next to me on the passenger seat and think "I can't believe that I wouldn't have any of that if I had bought an M-A!" 😀

 

[Pioneer]

Don't bogart that Minolta koolaid my friend, pass some along to me!

😉

Comin right up my friend. Would you like yours neat or on the rocks?

😀

 

[brennanphotoguy]

My buddy got an M-A. It looks cool. It was a lot of money. I don't think I could every justify it. Literally the only way to justify that camera is if you just have to have or want to have a brand new Leica. None of those other differences can quantify enough to make them worth it over an M2 or M4. To each their own I suppose.

 

[ktmrider]

But why oh why do you think it is the best film M? It is certainly no better then an MP, just different as it does not have a meter. Is it made better then the M2/3/4, doubtful.

The only thing the MA has going for it over other Leicas, is that it is new. If that is worth $3000 more, well it is your money.

 

[MCTuomey]

A few weeks ago I had $5k to play with and almost bought an M-A. But then I came to my senses, bought an M4, a Super Angulon 21/3.4, and used the $3k that were leftover to make a downpayment on a new car. Sometimes I sit in my new car, the M4+SA next to me on the passenger seat and think "I can't believe that I wouldn't have any of that if I had bought an M-A!" 😀

perfect - my idea of an uncompromising compromise on fine gear

 

[Pioneer]

It is easy. If you don't have the money there are less expensive Leica rangefinders out there. Go find one, they are all fun.

But if you do have the money the M-A is a a VERY nice camera.

Funny thing though, I have had the good fortune of owning and using some very, very nice cameras. But the Leica III was, and still is, my favorite Leica. But that is probably the subject for a different thread.

 

[luuca]

It is easy. If you don't have the money there are less expensive Leica rangefinders out there. Go find one, they are all fun.

But if you do have the money the M-A is a a VERY nice camera.

Funny thing though, I have had the good fortune of owning and using some very, very nice cameras. But the Leica III was, and still is, my favorite Leica. But that is probably the subject for a different thread.

Whoa, you answered to a 10 years old thread! This must be a record 😬

 

[WoodallP]

It is easy. If you don't have the money there are less expensive Leica rangefinders out there. Go find one, they are all fun.

But if you do have the money the M-A is a a VERY nice camera.

Funny thing though, I have had the good fortune of owning and using some very, very nice cameras. But the Leica III was, and still is, my favorite Leica. But that is probably the subject for a different thread.

Purely out of interest can you define what you mean by Leica III. You mean the III (plus maybe a and even b) or the later III variants like the IIIf and IIIg. They are quite different beasts and give me different pleasures to use, though I love using both.

 

[Freakscene]

Whoa, you answered to a 10 years old thread! This must be a record 😬

Not by a long shot. There are dozens of zombie thread revivals across this forum, many over a greater time frame than 10 years.

2006-2023: Kodak changes logo, looses brand identity with questions directed to a member who had been dead for 14 years.

 

[Out to Lunch]

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.

Et Voila, also in black paint:

Mmeter

The new M-meter is a light-meter designed specifically for meterless Leica M bodies. Inspired by the iconic Leica MR Meter, the M-meter couples with your Leica's shutter speed dial for intuitive operation. The 1.3-inch OLED screen displays all readings an

www.kekscameras.com

 

[maddoc]

Et Voila, also in black paint:

Mmeter

The new M-meter is a light-meter designed specifically for meterless Leica M bodies. Inspired by the iconic Leica MR Meter, the M-meter couples with your Leica's shutter speed dial for intuitive operation. The 1.3-inch OLED screen displays all readings an

www.kekscameras.com

Looking forward to use this light meter with both my M-A and M4, once delivery starts.

 

[boojum]

My Leica feelings are well-known. I had a total of five, now I have four. All digitals. They are in the sweet spot. They do a lot of things we want to happen when we push the shutter button. They are fine machines and often have good sensors, not the best but good. OK, the M9 is a running discussion on its CCD sensor. Lots of folks like it a lot, most folks.

So what is the problem? Yeah, you know the answer. Maintenance and batteries are the land of agony. And this could be easily fixed by the folks in Wetzlar. I am OK with batteries (M8.2, M9, M240, Q3) but folks with the new M bodies are hanging in the breeze. There is no rational defensible reason for this. It is shameful. It seems unique to Leica. I have no problems with batteries for my other cameras, none whatsoever. I do not know that you have to be a masochist to own a Leica but it helps.

/rant

 

[Pioneer]

Purely out of interest can you define what you mean by Leica III. You mean the III (plus maybe a and even b) or the later III variants like the IIIf and IIIg. They are quite different beasts and give me different pleasures to use, though I love using both.

Mine is one of the early IIIs. It is basically a II with a low speed dial added up front but I don't think it matters too much. They are all very compact cameras and easy to pack with you wherever you go in this world. But they still manage to do everything I need a camera to do especially when I slide my little Voigtlander Meter into the accessory shoe. It is quiet.

With some ISO400 film and the collapsible Elmar 50/3.5 I can usually take pictures anywhere I want unless someone chases me out.

It is just Fun with a capital F.

 

[WoodallP]

Mine is one of the early IIIs. It is basically a II with a low speed dial added up front but I don't think it matters too much. They are all very compact cameras and easy to pack with you wherever you go in this world. But they still manage to do everything I need a camera to do especially when I slide my little Voigtlander Meter into the accessory shoe. It is quiet.

With some ISO400 film and the collapsible Elmar 50/3.5 I can usually take pictures anywhere I want unless someone chases me out.

It is just Fun with a capital F.

Agreed about the fun, and love early IIIs and Barnacks in general. I’m just nosey about which ones people use 😊

It was hard to justify an MA as I had a lovely M4, so when the time came and the money was in my pocket I went for an MP. This was before the new M6 but I don’t think I would have taken that route. I did send my M4 on holiday to Cameraworks UK though, and now it feels similar to a new MA, so I can throw the MP away.

 

[38Deardorff]

I had an MP for several years. The build quality was great, but as a long time M user the over-abundance of viewfinder lines drove me crazy.
I've always considered the M2 as the pinnacle. The MA viewer would drive me nuts. I sold my MP on local Marketplace in an hour...replaced it with a black M4 which DAG did his magic on. The entire M series are wonderful tools & i don't consider the new versions as necessarily better than the original versions.