New MP Owner and quick Question?

[Rowse]

Hi All,

I just picked up my New silver MP today from Ken Hanson Serial #35xxxxx. I noticed that the film pressure plate is not "dimpled." It's the smoother older type. I thought this was changed a while ago. My M7 has the dimpled pressure plate. Not a big deal, but I was wondering if anyone knows why Leica decided to switch back to the older style film pressure plate. Just for the heck of it, I called Leica NJ and they are going to find out.

Thanks

 

[Tim Gray]

My M7 and M6 both have a smooth pressure plate. I thought they all did.

 

[payasam]

A matter for "research" for those who like trivia, but it has nothing to do with actual photography.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Smooth is better! I have been a longtime user of the Olympus OM system. All of the OM cameras that I have ever owned had dimpled plates. When I was in college, I tried Infrared black and white film and was surprised to see in my skies a regular pattern of dots. The Kodak IR film I used had no anti-halation layer, so light went through the film and reflected back from the pressure plate, and the dimples didn't reflect light the same way as the smooth areas...thus dots in my pictures! The cameras were unusable for that film I used my Nikon F4, which has a smooth plate, for IR film from then on.

Kodak no longer makes High Speed Infrared, but if you ever encounter another film with no anti-halation layer, you'll be glad your Leica has a SMOOTH pressure plate!

 

[johannielscom]

Nice, Chris! I considered it a trivial issue too, but it actually has a true purpose! Never knew this

 

[peter_n]

They use whatever they can find in the factory parts inventory, it gives life to the collectors.

Congratulations on your new MP! What magnification VF did you get?

 

[Rowse]

Leica MP

Leica MP

It's the standard .72 viewfinder. I have to say I favor it over my M7 mainly for emotional and aesthetic reasons. I agree with you in that Leica probably just grabbed whatever parts were available at the time of its assembly in Solms. As soon as I hear from Mark at Leica, NJ I will let you guys know.

Hey Chris...very informative reply! Thanks for you input.

 

[mark-b]

Dimples in plate: just another dust catcher. Or worse; a grain of sand.

 

[sepiareverb]

I've often wondered as well- seems like a lot of trouble to go to to make the dimpled one- although similar dimpled plates are found in many cameras. I assumed it was for static electricity reduction, don't know why.

 

[Rob-F]

I think it has mostly to do with reducing frictional drag during winding. I've had every M model except the M1 and CL, though, and I've never personally seen a Leica with a dimpled plate.

 

[peter_n]

Just checked on my own two MPs and both are dimpled, whatever that means.

 

[Rowse]

I know most people find this to be trivial and has nothing to do with photography, but I find it rather interesting and worth investigating. Also, it keeps the staff in NJ busy

Hey Pete, thanks......My M7 has the "dimpled" plate.