Leica engraving

[michaelsullivan]

Anyone know when did Leitz stop engraving the top plate on the M's and why?





Michael.

[abrewer]

Second question first: probably to cut costs....

First question: my MP (2004) has the Leica script, so at least not all of the cameras no longer carry the engraving standard.

Thanks.

Allan

[TimF]

Not the classic engraving though. That original style, ie. (and with apologies for very approximate appearance!)

Leica
DBP
Ernst Leitz GMBH
Wetzlar Germany

seems to have ceased with the M4. The M5 has just Leitz, Wetzlar Germany (in three lines), and the M4-2 and M4-P have just Leitz on the top. All of these from the M5 on also have Leica and the model number on the front. The M6 has nothing at all on the top in both 'classic' and TTL versions (excluding special editions of course), as does the M7.

Even the MP is poverty stricken in this regard. The prototype versions had, in addition to the top plate Leica script, the Leica Camera Made in Germany text on the top. Production versions had this relegated to the rear for some reason. I guess a rough approximation of the original can be done in a la carte.

[leicapfile]

I beleive engraving was halted when Leitz went to zinc top plates (around the M4-2). It does not engrave well at all.

Only with the return to brass did engraving reappear.

Best,

Jerry

[michaelsullivan]

Thanks for the replies guy's. Interesting theory from leicapfile re zinc top plates.

Didn't know that change had occured, Learn something new every day


Regards,

Michael.

[leicapfile]

Michael,

A little further background. There was a large (thick letters) Leitz script on the M4-2s, but it was in the mold as the zinc top plates were cast.

Although Leitz/Leica have never confirmed, the switch to zinc was undoubtedly a cost cutting move back then, saving the machining of the brass.

Brass top plates came back with the M6J, then moved to regular production just a few years ago. With the advent of CNC machining, brass was once again made economically feasible. The full top plate engraving has only been available on ala carte or MP3 models though.

After I purchased my M7, I tried to get an engraved top plate for it. Leica won't do it.

Jerry

[wizard]

Originally Posted by leicapfile

After I purchased my M7, I tried to get an engraved top plate for it. Leica won't do it.

Jerry, you might want to ask them again very nicely. I asked them to do it on my M6TTL (zinc diecast top plate) and they would have done it, but in the end could not fix a shutter problem this particular camera had. They then did it on my M7 which I opted for in exchange.

Andy