So finaly I decided to buy a Leica MP but...

[stric]

... I noticed quite a few prices for Lecia MP bodies and kits.
Well, let's start with body. It appears that some major on line sellers offer it at prices above $3K. But I came across a few of them for about $2.5K. These are noted as non-US models. Is there a difference between the US and non-US models. Does it mean that non-US models are simply grey-market products w/o official warranties and so on.
Second, MP kits. Several are availalbe. I noticed MP Classic kit, but it appears that the camera has fewer features than standard MP. Can you tell me more about it?
Hermes kit looks nice but is there any significant difference from this camera and regular MP? What about the lens? The difference appears to be mainly cosmetic.
LHSA? Again, it seems to be a cosmetic difference. Are there any MP "starter kits" similar to M7 starter kits?
I'd appreciate any info on these different options and prices associated with them.
Thanks

 

[rover]

Sure, non-US is just grey market with an international/meaning everywhere but the US warranty.

An MP is an MP, there is no lower featured MP. Come to think of it, an MP is a fully manual camera. The only feature is a meter, so they are all lower featured in that sense. 😉

Hermes Kit looks cool. You pay lots extra for that cool kit, same camera in different cloths.

I think you have it, a few extra cosmetic changes just to raise the price.

 

[akalai]

"An MP is an MP, there is no lower featured MP."

...doesn't the MP Classic have no built in meter?

 

[rover]

did they do that? I didn't think they actually did that. in a lot of ways that would be an advancement of the design. removing the meter would make the MP an M4.

 

[merciful]

Yup. I'd love to have one.

did they do that? I didn't think they actually did that. in a lot of ways that would be an advancement of the design. removing the meter would make the MP an M4.

 

[peter_n]

So why wouldn't you buy an M4? Or maybe three? 😉

 

[CZeni]

did they do that? I didn't think they actually did that. in a lot of ways that would be an advancement of the design. removing the meter would make the MP an M4.

Yep, they did it:
http://www.leica-camera.com/produkte/msystem/sondermodelle/mp_classic/index_e.html

It's more like an M3 with a 0.72 finder...

 

[peter_n]

Yes but its for "the priority country of China" only!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Yes but its for "the priority country of China" only!

So they haven't gotten around making their own knock-offs yet? Give it some time.

 

[rover]

What framelines does it have? And Peter is right, why not buy an M4?