QUESTION: MP Users - Meter Problem?

[dcsang]

Guys (and ladies) 😀

I'm wondering if the MP has ever been known to have a "meter" problem. That is, a blinking left LED when a battery is inserted. I know that the M7, if you don't have film in the camera, the ISO light blinks (apparently) but what about the MP?

I am, obviously, watching an MP online and curious about it because it's still a fair bit of coin to be shelling out for a camera that is, basically, an M3 (if the meter's kaput).

Any and all responses will garner a big "Thank you!!!" from yours truly 🙂

Thanks,
Dave

 

[cp_ste.croix]

I thought the MP didn't have a meter?

 

[dcsang]

I thought the MP didn't have a meter?

It does.

It's like an M3 with a meter (at least that's my understanding of it).

Cheers
Dave

 

[DerekF]

Dave,

The MP's (middle) LED blinks when there isn't enough light for the meter to take a reading. I think it might also blink when batteries are low, but I don't think it'll blink when there's no film in the camera. If nobody else can provide a more definitive answer, I'll dig out my MP's manual and tell you what it says about the light meter LEDs (the manual is packaged in the MP's box, which is tucked away at the bottom of a drawer).

 

[DerekF]

Wow, I was "off" on my last post... been a long day at work. :bang:

Regarding blinking LEDs, the left or right LEDs will blink when the light's too low for a proper exposure.

There's a separate battery LED that will blink when the battery level is too low.

As for no film in the camera, I'm not sure. My MP's always got film in it and I only fire the shutter without film in the camera so I can give the various shutter speeds a workout between roll changes.

Hope that helps!

 

[dcsang]

Thanks Derek.

It looks like it's a problem with the camera - I've been in touch with the owner and it would appear he's tried "everything" (although he's never put a roll through the camera he seems to know what he's talking about). He's switched batteries, checked the back door, verified there's no dust hindering the meter etc. - he thinks it may be a circuit board but he hasn't sent it in to Leica as of yet. He's only recently seen the problem after owning the cam for some time.

The price he's asking is fair for an MP in great condition but without a meter, I can just by another M3.

Dave

 

[rover]

Am I alone in thinking that a meterless MP may be the perfect Leica?

 

[dcsang]

Am I alone in thinking that a meterless MP may be the perfect Leica?

No, you're not 🙂

That's why it was on my mind... it's a decent camera - and without a meter, it may be just 'that' perfect.

I've got some other gripes about metered M's but as I've not seen nor tried an MP, I'd like to find out more.

Dave

 

[brightsky]

Dave, what DerekF said is right on according to the manual, but mine has acted squirrely, i.e., blinking left or right arrow (can't remember which) for no good reason without the battery indicator screaming for some new juice. I've replaced the battery and everything was fine again.

I'm not used to a metered camera, so in the beginning I never remembered to rotate the shutter dial to B to turn off the meter. Needless to say, I was thoroughly exasperated until I realized *I* was the problem. 🙂

I don't know, but is a meter problem something DAG could fix. If you've got some time, send him and email for a rough quote. dagcam@chorus.net

 

[dcsang]

Thanks for the input BrightSky.

The original owner has already tried DAG 😀 (like I said, the owner's an upright decent chap by the sounds of things) and DAG thinks it may be a circuit board problem - but how you're describing it, well, it's exactly how the owner is describing it - blinking left arrow - but he's changed batteries a number of times and still came up blinking.

I'm still considering the camera, even with this quirk - because I've heard how lovely the MP is and, to be honest with you, I like my M3 just fine with the VC Meter II or my Sekonic. 🙂

Cheers
Dave

 

[DerekF]

Can't say I agree with the assessment of a non-metered MP being the "perfect Leica".. then again, maybe it's because all of my cameras (RF and non-RF) have meters in them.

No problems with my MP (so far!). It's my favourite camera in my (small) arsenal of cameras.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

is tha a la carte MP meterless then? Am I too far O/T is I ask what the difference is between an MP and an M6 then? The MP sounds pretty sweet to me if it is a metered M3...whay don't you like the mertered M's Dave?

 

[fredus]

The MP ain't a M3. Trust me, I have both and enjoy both for different type of situation. You can't beat the M3 finder. Never.

Fred

 

[john neal]

I have an MP and have not seen that problem in 2 years ownership - I do have other issues with the metering - a recent trip to Egypt produced 8 rolls of Kodak that all look +2 stops over - and I know the asa setting was right.

I would say a meterless MP is possibly the perfect M2

 

[rover]

I would say a meterless MP is possibly the perfect M2

I was thinking M4

 

[dcsang]

Ya know.. I'm still considering this because the MP is in great condition and I've found myself actually prefering a meterless cam over the M6.

Hmmmm

Dave

 

[Ben Z]

If you're hell bent on getting an MP and don't want to use the meter, that's fine. But paying as much for one with a defective meter as if it had a good meter sounds bizarre to me. If the MP was bought new in the USA it came with 5 years of mechanical warranty, so it shouldn't cost the seller a cent to get it fixed (assuming he's the original owner). If not then you could get an estimate from DAG as to how much it costs to fix and then deduct that from the purchase price. You may consider a meter-less MP the cat's PJs but good luck finding another buyer for it if you decide to sell. You can always opt to leave the batteries out of it, but it seems just reasonable to have it repaired or at least enough of a price break to cover such a repair. BTW I once enquired and the meter circuit board for an M6 classic is $270, plus labor.

 

[dcsang]

Hey Ben,

That's what the seller and I sort of figured as well (regarding the price of a circuit board replacement). And if it IS a circuit board problem; it's only fixable by Leica themselves. DAG or Sherry or anyone else apparently won't be able to handle the repair.

In comparison, the price is still attractive even if I add on the replacement of the circuit board - we'll see.

Thanks
Dave

 

[FrankS]

I understand Dave's point of view. I aquired a Leica CL for a very favourable amount because the meter didn't work. I just use it with a separate meter or guessexposure. I'm not even thinking about getting it repaired.

 

[jan normandale]

Dave, there is always another deal around the corner. If the seller can't figure it out and you can't either maybe this is one of those infrequent but very real 'problem cameras' be careful at a minimum and personally would probably pass. I never regretted a purchase I didn't make.