MP review

fraley

fraley

Beware of Claws
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There's a glowing review of the Leica MP in the December Shutterbug magazine. Here's a link to the article online:

http://www.shutterbug.com/test_reports/1204leica/

Here's the article intro:

"The Leica MP is the greatest Leica for years—maybe decades. If you want a classic all-mechanical Leica, and you can afford a new one, this is the one to buy. That’s all there is to it."

It's getting harder to resist :(
 
I absolutely LOVE mine. But $2,800 new I still think that it's easy to resist. And I guess the price is going up soon!

The reviews are right though, you get one fantastic, well constructed, smoooooooth little box for that price. I'd love the Noctilux of of the one in the article too!
 
Leica MP:
new flair resistant RF just like M3
Knob rewind just like M3
RF magnification similar to M3
Price= 2800.00!!!!

Leica M3:
All the above
Price= 450-1500 USD( you do the math!)

(I'd still love to have a black paint MP)

Todd
 
I don't know why everyone is so crazy about M3. I mean, it's a great camera, but, as an eyeglasses wearer, I sure do prefer the M2. Besides, my M2 is a tad bit better than my M3 - the RF patch is a bit more contrasty, and on the whole, it's a bit smoother. But, that's my situation.
I guess none of you guys wear glasses....

Besides, if you ever want to use 35mm lens, the M3 isn't very practical - either you use the full VF area to estimate the frame, or use external finders, which I find a pain in the b***.

Denis
 
I also have an M2 and M3; I prefer the M3 but I do not use my 35mm focal length much. I tend to shoot with the 50, 90, and 105 on the M3. I also have glasses, but do not have problems with the 50mm finder. It does cover almost the whole frame, and the "grace" region is to cover parallax movement. The greater finder magnification makes it easier to focus and frame the telephoto's. I also "grew-up" with Nikon's, so I got used to the 1x finders of the SP, S3, and S2.

WAFFLING NOW: The M2 will also be a favorite of mine, very smooth but not quite the M3. Mine is from the first regular producion batch of 1958. The finder is in perfect condition. I have yet to mount a 35mm lens on it, but will use it for that. It is possible to make the patch "flare-out", the finder optics are not as complex as the M3.

Erwin Puts Leica RF Mechanism Page
 
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Well, I guess it's best to have both M2 and M3 :D

Both would still cost you a LOT less than an MP....

Denis
 
MP

MP

I went into Samys camera in Santa Barbara, Ca. a couple weeks ago, my favorite salesman came up holding a MP he sat aside for me. Leica had lent a whole batch of M7's and MP's to Brooks Institute of Photography to use for 6 months(engraved Brooks Institute on top). The cameras went back to Leica for check out, and then to Samy's for sale with full warranty. I bought a .72 finder one for $1895. Still a lot of money, but I couldn't pass up the deal. It's my Christmas, New Years, Birthday, Forth of July..... present to myself.

Waiting on a lens I bought to come in. In the meantime I can sit and stroke the camera, fire the shutter, and :)
 
Sorry, still unconvinced about the MP. The shutterspeed dial turns from right to left (as opposed to the M6, M6TTL and M7, which goes from left to right). The VF is OK and the patch flare is something I learned to live with.

Sure, the film advance lever is just buttery or velvety, so smooth... But then, I have difficulties rewinding film if it's not with a little crank.

To me... it's the M6TTL. I'd buy an MP only if I didn't have any Leica bodies, although it's an expensive proposition.
 
Steve that sounds like a great deal! And the Brooks Institute marking may add collector value in future.

An MP could fit me just fine, as I'm already accustomed to the shutter speed dial rotation, having my M2 since 1967. This M2 is the same early 1958 vintage as Brian's, with the button rewind.

I've never had an M3, but I sure do like the M2, especially smooth now after a CLA. I've always used the 1st version 35mm Summicron I bought new with it, a good combination.
 
Oh, and I don't mind the rewind knob any more than I miss a built-in meter; that is, not at all! I've never really noticed that it slows reloading significantly, don't recall any frustration over that.

Indeed I'm not so sure I like the looks or operation of the weirdly canted rewind crank on the M4,5,6,7. If I ever get an M7 I might pay extra for the custom build with a rewind knob rather than the stock crank!
 
The MP's are a lovely lovely thing. Was what I really lusted after from reading announcements reviews etc. Until.....I handled both the MP and the M6TTL. I'm with Solares on this one - crank rewind is much easier than knob, and whatever the traditionalists say the M3-style shutter speed dial does not turn the intuitive way (yeh I know you can get used to it, but you can get used to anything. Some people even like Contax ergonomics, for petes sake..... ;) )

That said, if someone gave me an MP I wouldn't complain.....

tim
 
And Doug prefers the knob to the "funny crank".

Isn't it great how people can be so different about something so simple?

tim
 
I've had 3 M3's over the years. When I used to use them at work, I was bothered by the slow loading and rewind, but now it will just be for thoughtful shooting.
 
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