I love my MP

[Xmas]

Originally Posted by menos | M6

The image quality will likely not differ between the cameras (that is the nice thing about old film bodies opposed to digital ;-) ).

From a user standpoint these are the big differences:

M3:
- no internal meter - you have to meter your exposure with your eyes or with an additional light meter
- widest frame visible is for a 50mm lens - anything wider needs an external viewfinder or the "goggles of older wide lenses (very cumbersome)

- the finder wont flare easily
note The M3 has a near 1:1 finder which is easier to use both eyes open if you are right eyed, you still can use both eyes with the lower mangnification finders with practice.

M2
- M3 with lower magnification finder but no flare comparable to M7 finder or M3
- 35m finder mask

Originally Posted by menos | M6

M6:
- internal meter
- angled film rewind - arguable easier to rewind, but also easier to damage with rough handling

MP:
- same, same but different than the M6
- basically an M6 with the classic style film rewind knob, an upgraded viewfinder (less prone to finder flare in difficult light), nicer made external controls, brass top and bottom and reportedly tighter tolerances in production
- 2 − 3 times the cost for a used body, compared to the M6
- exactly the same operation with meter, film advance, shutter speed as M6

There is also the Leica M7, which at the moment is placed in between used M6 and MP prices.

It has an electronic shutter, added aperture priority auto exposure program (selects the shutter speed automatically) and goes for about 1200 − 1800 EUR used.

I use M2s most of time, cause it is rare that I don't use a 35mm, cant really use a 5cm, HCB used a 5cm, too hard for me.

You can get an add on rewind crank for the MP or older M3, M2, except for the very early M3s, which dont have a location bush.

Noel

[mdozier]

Niandra,
The finder in the MP's is a bit better than the original finder on the M6 "classic", you can have the finder upgraded on the M6 easily enough.

I got my M6 classic years ago, then later added one MP and then a second MP. FWIW, I still use the M6 right along side either MP and always will. If you can't find an MP within your budget you won't be disappointed with the M6.

About the lens, I got a 50 'cron initially and quickly added a 35. If you are headed to Paris and want to shoot street as well as scenic I would recommend a 35. I personally think it's extremely flexible and forgiving with the wider view and I personally love that focal length on a Leica. Having said that, you really can't go wrong with a 50 either; I have and use both. For me there's enough difference between 35 and 50 that I find plenty of uses for both.

In short, I don't think there's a wrong decision here.

All the best.
matt

[martin]

ready for the next day

[abrewer]

Ready, steady, Martin

[housefull]

I accept with information:I laughed so hard my daughter walked in the room and asked what was so funny!!
Thank you for the smile and for being such a great PM friend to me!! I'm so grateful for all your support and friendship...

[PedroHipolito]

[peter_n]

Very nice Pedro. Griptac?

[dk_samurai]

Originally Posted by peter_n

Very nice Pedro. Griptac?

Looks like the standard "shark skin" cover, no?

/David

[PedroHipolito]

It's the standard cover.

[Digiuser]

Originally Posted by PedroHipolito

It's the standard cover.

In Germany we call it "Dachpappe" = roofing paper

[dk_samurai]

Does anybody have experience using both the "shark skin" (aka. roofing paper) and the traditional vulcanite? I'm curious as to which one of the two would provide the best grip surface? I know griptac would be best, but what about between vulcanite and shark skin??

/David

[antistatic]

Vulcanite > Shark Skin

[Digiuser]

I use both the covers "Dachpappe" and Vulcanite. If new the grip of Dachpappe is better than Vulcanite but becomes a bit slippery after years of use. The grip of Vulcanite stays the same over the years.

[ducttape]

Originally Posted by PedroHipolito

I have 3003211. And I love it dearly.

[peter_n]

Originally Posted by PedroHipolito

It's the standard cover.

Oops. My bad.

Originally Posted by dk_samurai

Does anybody have experience using both the "shark skin" (aka. roofing paper) and the traditional vulcanite? I'm curious as to which one of the two would provide the best grip surface? I know griptac would be best, but what about between vulcanite and shark skin??

I use an MP3 which has the modern vulcanite and also an MP. IMO the vulcanite had a better grip than the standard MP covering, but I hated the dachpappe and got the MP covered in Griptac. If I ever wear the cover out on the MP3 I'll put Griptac on that too.

Leica should seriously consider putting Griptac on their bodies.

[dk_samurai]

Thanks all for your replies reg. the vulcanite vs. shark skin! I'll likely switch ol' sharky to vulcanite the day my MP needs servicing.

/David

[RITskellar]

Originally Posted by dk_samurai

Thanks all for your replies reg. the vulcanite vs. shark skin! I'll likely switch ol' sharky to vulcanite the day my MP needs servicing.

/David

Yes, the current Leica vulcanit provides better grip than the standard Leica MP sharkskin, and I happen to think it is far more attractive than either the sharkskin or griptac.

[el.nino]

Originally Posted by RITskellar

Yes, the current Leica vulcanit provides better grip than the standard Leica MP sharkskin, and I happen to think it is far more attractive than either the sharkskin or griptac.

I was about to get my sharkskin replaced with the pseudo-vulcanit, but after a lot of thinking i decided to keep the sharkskin. looks way more elegant. the vulcanit looks kinda dull to me, like shiney black plastic (actually that's what it is). but i like the old original vulcanit which is by far not as shiney.

please don't beat me.

[Philippe D.]

Please, don't call it "sharkskin".

Try first the feeling of the real sharkskin vulcanit on a Leica IIIc, you'll then know the big difference.

[dk_samurai]

Originally Posted by Philippe D.

Please, don't call it "sharkskin".

Try first the feeling of the real sharkskin vulcanit on a Leica IIIc, you'll then know the big difference.

So "roofing paper" cover it is then

/David