lens-release button the black chrome M-A?

[shadowleaves]

did anyone notice this?

on most Leica official pictures the black chrome M-A has the shiny chrome-plated screw-style lens-release button that is also seen on the silver chrome version:

(picture from B&H and a few other dealers)
it can be also seen in Leica official website:
https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/Leica-M-A/Details

whereas all the actual owner's photo shows black M-A is using the matte, flat lens-release button that looks like the one on M6 (just without the red dot):

(picture from FM)

there seems to be also a subtle difference in the rewind knob. any black chrome M-A owners here? does your camera have the screw-style button shown in the first (official) picture or the flat button in the second picture?

please share the picture of your lens-release button if possible.

 

[Fjäll]

There's a thread on here on the differences between some M-As. There was something about different shutterdials aswell?

 

[shadowleaves]

There's a thread on here on the differences between some M-As. There was something about different shutterdials aswell?

yeah saw that, but those were mostly about silver chrome M-As. and I have yet to see any picture/video showing a black chrome M-A with the screw-style release button - maybe leica ditched that design and never went to production?

 

[a.noctilux]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=258326

The two M-A even have different leatherette, not only the shape of the rewind lever and the lens release as you pointed out.

Arnaud

 

[Huss]

It seems the MA really is made by whatever parts they had lying around at the time.
Really weird for such a high ticket item. And really off putting for me.

 

[Thud]

Does the release button and leather effect the image content :bang:

 

[Godfrey]

I suspect they figure that for things as trivial as the finish of a lens release button, which is functionally the same on all the camera models of the M, picking one style over another isn't something of particular importance.

I don't even know what style lens release button is used on my different Ms; it's inconsequential to the use of the camera.

G

 

[a.noctilux]

😉 kind off "lottery-à-la-carte".
For me, what's inside is much more important than those external details.

Even if I prefer if possible real vulcanite as my M4, but as is, the two M-A are dream come true for me.

 

[sepiareverb]

The smooth style release is so much more comfortable in use, I request that with every a la carte, and order it as a replacement part for every other M.

 

[michaelwj]

Does the release button and leather effect the image content :bang:

If all on was concerned with was the final image, then there is no reason for he M-A to exist at all. The whole point use that it looks a certain way 🙂

 

[Godfrey]

If all on was concerned with was the final image, then there is no reason for he M-A to exist at all. The whole point use that it looks a certain way 🙂

Hmm. Perhaps for you.

I am more concerned that it works a certain way and has the feel I'm looking for. What finish is on the lens release button is an aesthetic issue way down towards the bottom of my scale of priorities.

To each their own...

G

 

[Huss]

Does the release button and leather effect the image content :bang:

If it is only the image content that matters, why spend $4000 on a Leica?

 

[shadowleaves]

i don't have preference on the style of the button (also I guess some people prefer one or another) but just curious why Leica is negligent enough not to update their official picture.

to my understanding the screw-style lens-release button seems to be only used on the silver chrome version, and there never was any black chrome M-A produced using the screw-style button.

alas, maybe M-A isn't that much an important product for Leica...

 

[Fraser]

If it is only the image content that matters, why spend $4000 on a Leica?

You're a brave man😀

 

[michaelwj]

Hmm. Perhaps for you.

I am more concerned that it works a certain way and has the feel I'm looking for. What finish is on the lens release button is an aesthetic issue way down towards the bottom of my scale of priorities.

To each their own...

G

Then an M-A is maybe not for you?

If how it works and feels, etc, is what you're looking for, you can find buy an M3, M2, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6TTL, M7, or MP (together with a huge number of "special editions" on the used market for less cash than an M-A.

The M-A doesn't make financial or functional sense. It's reason for being is purely aesthetics.

p.s. I agree with you in that how the camera feels and works is the most important aspect, and the lens release button finish is really of no consequence - provided it doesn't accidentally engage (or is that disengage?).

 

[Godfrey]

Then an M-A is maybe not for you?

If how it works and feels, etc, is what you're looking for, you can find buy an M3, M2, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6TTL, M7, or MP (together with a huge number of "special editions" on the used market for less cash than an M-A.

The M-A doesn't make financial or functional sense. It's reason for being is purely aesthetics.

p.s. I agree with you in that how the camera feels and works is the most important aspect, and the lens release button finish is really of no consequence - provided it doesn't accidentally engage (or is that disengage?).

The lens mount lock shouldn't accidentally disengage, for sure. 🙂

An M-A might be for me if:

• I wanted a new camera with a warranty.
• I wanted to take advantage of the latest in viewfinder optics, with the improvements in accuracy that implies.
• I wanted to be sure that the profits from its sale supported Leica rather than some other person/organization/etc.
• I didn't already have an M film camera that I was perfectly happy with and wanted a new one.

I don't look at the M-A as being anything particularly special in any way from an aesthetic sense. It's just another in a long line of M film cameras, not a particularly fancy model. Its specialness is really the simple fact that it's a new, meterless M film camera—made in the 21st Century. That's a rarity in a era when there are precious few new film cameras of any description being manufactured.

G

 

[Huss]

You're a brave man😀

I know, right?
😀

I have a whole bunch of Leicas, and one reason I have them is because they are perfectly made. It's what justifies (kinda) the price tag.
So when the M-A is apparently made haphazardly from whatever pieces are lying around, well quite frankly that is an insult to the customer who expects nothing but the best.
This would be unacceptable, and laughed at, if it was done to a cheap camera. And the Leica fanbois would be pointing fingers at that as proof as to why Leicas are worth so much more. Because that would never happen with a Leica.
But for Leica to do this, and apparently not care, well it makes me wonder where else they skipped on parts in construction. We already know of several people on this site whose M-As have broken soon after purchase, whether it was shutter jams, light leaks, or inconsistent frame spacing.
So yeah, not cool in my book.

 

[daveywaugh]

I kind of agree. It's the finishing touches and the workmanship (along with the precision) that makes an M such a wonderful tool. Whilst none of the things mentioned are really 'deal breakers', if I was shelling out that kind of cash, I'd like to know exactly what I was getting also. I don't see why one is necessarily better than the other of course, but at that price, the customer is always right! 🙂

 

[Archlich]

Does the release button and leather effect the image content :bang:

When you shoot with it the camera is merely a tool. Yet when you pay your hard-earned cash for it, the camera reveals itself to be also a commodity, out of which the consumers demand quality and consistency.

I'd say we never mix these two identities up...

 

[Leica All Day]

I noticed that when you look at Leica's website here

https://en.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/About-the-M-System

the photo of the M-A has the M7 "on/off" switch next to the shutter release. lol

cheers, michael