Leica MP and M7, Ten years on

[sc_rufctr]

Wow how time flies.

The MP and M7 are still in the Leica catalogue. Both great camera but I feel they're somewhat neglected considering the current digital line up.
I'm enjoying my TTL M6 but my next purchase will probably be a brand new MP.

Are they still relevant? I think they are but I want your input.

 

[helen.HH]

Having mostly had M2, M4, M6 classic in the Past
My new found LOVE is still an 'old' classic,,, an M5
Presently in the 'honeymoon' stage .😱
I Prefer the old style meter to blinking red lights. :bang:

As for an M7 or MP
Its only a matter of Time before I succumb
Yes they still hold relevance and a future Seduction

 

[ChrisN]

...

As for an M7 or MP
Its only a matter of Time before I succumb
Yes they still hold relevance and a future Seduction

I like the way you are thinking. 🙂

 

[edge100]

I can't imagine how the MP could be improved upon. My next camera will be an à la carte black MP; it's time.

 

[mugent]

In think with the MP, it's a classic, it needs no alteration, so why change it?

The M7 is a different matter, if we consider it to be a 'modernized' Leica, then there is plenty you could do, spot metering, matrix metering, all that stuff, but it's not worth it financially.

 

[mervynyan]

glad to get a new mp in 2006, never had a camera better

 

[Mackinaw]

My MP (bought new in 2004) is sure relevant to me. My favorite rangefinder and a camera I always enjoy using.

Jim B.

 

[filmtwit]

Best $1500 I've ever spent.

The M7 is a different matter, if we consider it to be a 'modernized' Leica, then there is plenty you could do, spot metering, matrix metering, all that stuff, but it's not worth it financially.

 

[matt335]

I have used both. When you are not using them you miss them. Both different, both similar.

Are they still relevant? As relevant to the meaning of life and to paraphrase Dorothea Lange, using such a camera helps one to see without the need of a camera, except in the case of the pleasure of the shutter sound, and looking at the wet negs after a final wash...

 

[Fraser]

Wow how time flies.

The MP and M7 are still in the Leica catalogue. Both great camera but I feel they're somewhat neglected considering the current digital line up.
I'm enjoying my TTL M6 but my next purchase will probably be a brand new MP.

Are they still relevant? I think they are but I want your input.

I had an MP for a short time but decided to sell it and stick with my M2 as I don't really shoot a lot of film anymore. If I was ever going to buy another film Leica I think I would go for a black paint M4 rather than a new MP, they are very nice though🙂

 

[Fraser]

Looking at the new price of an MP I wouldn't buy new, I only paid £1600 for my black MP.

 

[Keith]

Relevant yes ... but at $5000 new you'd have to be very keen considering what you can probably buy used for that amount of cash.

I was seriously ogling the silver MP that jonmanjiro had in the classifieds for $2500 and was actually very tempted.

 

[sc_rufctr]

Silver MP..... Droooool 😎

 

[Ansel]

I would like them to upgrade the finder on both to be as good or better than the ZM finder....

 

[sc_rufctr]

I would like them to upgrade the finder on both to be as good or better than the ZM finder....

Would you buy one if they did?

 

[helen.HH]

Relevant yes ... but at $5000 new you'd have to be very keen considering what you can probably buy used for that amount of cash.

I was seriously ogling the silver MP that jonmanjiro had in the classifieds for $2500 and was actually very tempted.

True , 5 grand a tad crazy
2500.00 a Bargain...😀

 

[NicoM]

Very relevant. I consider them current classics. It'll be a sad day when they go out of production. I hope they never do.

 

[Turtle]

The MP is wonderful. I used to have a number of them, including a 0.58, but now I am down to one: the first I bought. I have a M6 as well, but the MP is the best feeling modern Leica I have ever used. Each of my MPs felt as good as the other.

 

[noisycheese]

Wow how time flies.

The MP and M7 are still in the Leica catalogue. Both great camera but I feel they're somewhat neglected considering the current digital line up.
I'm enjoying my TTL M6 but my next purchase will probably be a brand new MP.

Are they still relevant? I think they are but I want your input.

I think Leica has put the MP & M7 on the back burner in terms of marketing. Digital M cameras are the goose that is laying the golden eggs for Leica at present.

Regarding the MP: I have had mine since the get-go (2003) and am still happy with it. The only way Leica could improve it IMHO would be to replace the M3 rewind knob with the rewind crank that is on the M7. The M3 knob has a classic look, but it is slow and a bit of a PITA when rewinding during time sensitive shooting.

If you order an ala carte MP, the M7 rewind crank is an option that is available. To replace the knob on my MP with the M7 crank would also require replacing the top plate, which is an operation I am not willing to foot the bill for. I will therefore keep my MP in its original configuration and use my M4-P for shooting situations in which time is critical.

Are they still relevant?

These two cameras could not be more relevant in the world of photography.

Film has proven that it is still relevant after 15ish years of digital hysteria. Silver based photography still gets it done, in spite of what the technology addicted naysayers try to claim. The MP and M7 soldier on, providing continuity for M camera photographers. Both cameras still haul the mail after all these years.

In a world where many outstanding film cameras have become extinct, the commitment of Leica in continuing to make the MP & M7 - is a reason for film photographers to take heart.

 

[Keith]

The thing is when Leica decides that it's no longer worth making film cameras like the MP they'll just stop ... maybe stockpile few and release them in limited batches every now and then at even more brutal prices.

And of course people will pay the price. 🙂