Firefly Posted June 28, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 28, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone, this is my first posting and maybe this has been asked before but here goes, I have been taking pictures for a long time now including using various M models but went digital and quite frankly lost my mojo. Recently I had the opportunity to shoot film again and became reinvigorated by the whole process and came to the following perhaps irrational conclusion, having turned fifty I would like to get a film M Camera to hopefully last me out and be my primary camera until I reach the stage where for one reason or another I am no longer in a position to use it. Based on my previous experiences I would much prefer a built in meter, I have done the MR4 and handheld meter stuff before and I prefer the convenience (for me) of having it built in. I totally get the whole idea of the MP and what it represents, my budget looking at the websites of known UK Dealers allows for a MP body and a good late 50mm Summicron. My Question, finally, is apart from the MP is it worth looking at the M6, M6ttl or M7 as being a reliable long term companion as the saving on the body price would allow for an extra lens or two. Once purchased I am not looking to chop and change so I am looking to get it right first time, as far as I can allowing for the lack of crystal ball. Best regards, Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 Hi Firefly, Take a look here MP vs the others long term. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wattsy Posted June 28, 2014 Share #2 Posted June 28, 2014 An M6 or M6TTL would offer the same long term potential. The £1000 difference (compared with used MP) can be better spent elsewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianUK Posted June 28, 2014 Share #3 Posted June 28, 2014 Hello Rob (Firefly), and welcome to the forum. My guess is that you’re going to get as many different opinions as posts regarding advice about which body to purchase. All I would say is try out and handle your shortlist if you can, then you can make an educated decision about one which appeals to your emotions and suits your pocket. Certainly a MP with a late Summicron is a mighty fine camera. My preference would be to buy it from a reputable dealer, making sure it has a worthwhile guarantee. For what it’s worth my opinions and why I chose a M6 TTL can be found here: Why a M6 TTL? | A Singular Eye Let us know how you get on! Best wishes. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansel_Adams Posted June 28, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) The MP is basically an M6 with a nicer finish and clearer viewfinder. I would get an M6, M6 TTL and have the finder upgraded to MP spec and save yourself a lot of $$$$. Near mint M6's can be had second hand for around $1000 nowadays that will last you for the next 30 or 40 years or more. Spend the rest of the money on a second lens such as the 35 mm or treat yourself to a trip somewhere to take photos! The MP is meant to recreate the excellent workmanship of the M3-M5 era, but it falls short IMO. You would be better off getting a nice M3, M2, M4 or M5 if that is what you want. Edited June 28, 2014 by Ansel_Adams 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted June 28, 2014 Thanks guys, I must admit to being quite taken by the M6ttl as I handled one the other day, I visited a Dealer in London who was advertising an MP only to find it had already gone but whilst there I got to fondle a few other bodies . The M6ttl was actually some minty titanium limited edition which although had some appeal I wasn't too keen on the "collectors" price tag and I understand that the matching lens fetch an even greater premium but the basic spec and feel did quite appeal and it struck me that I could quite easily go for one in standard black or chrome. This partly bought about my original posting as the M6ttl wasn't made for that long so @ 12 years on are any faults starting to show and have/are spares readily available, especially the "electric" parts ? I am aware that with the M6/M6ttl electrical failure basically only kills the meter but if that happened I would want it repaired, had a gut full of MR4's years ago and don't want to go there again thanks. I get the idea that the MP was meant to recreate the "golden period" of the M2,M3,M4 but they in themselves do not appeal due to the lack of meter. All thoughts appreciated, regards Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansel_Adams Posted June 28, 2014 Share #6 Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) There were over 158,00 M6's produced between 1984-99, and 40,000 M6 TTLs between 1998-03 so will be plenty of spares available to fix these for many years to come. The M6 was Leica's most successful model after the M3 (220,000 sold). Careful, Leicas are addictive. I am sure that once you hold the MP you will want one of those too! I started with an M6 and now have an M4 also,. Next purchase a nice M3 :-) p.s. I much prefer a handheld meter for incident readings, and use one even with my M6. The Gossen Digisix is a godsend. Have a look. Edited June 28, 2014 by Ansel_Adams Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted June 28, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Don´t miss the chance to have a look at the M7 (># 2,885,000 for the improved finder) and you will be surprised how much faster your workflow with the camera will be ... I would prefer an M7 to the M6 any time. You can use it like an M6 in case you are tired of the AUTO function. Best GEORG Edited June 28, 2014 by k_g_wolf 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted June 28, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted June 28, 2014 Ah yes the M7, the last M I owned some ten years a go, I found it's ease of use a revelation after the M4P which was traded in for it. If I had the same mindset nowadays that I had then a M7 would be top of the list knowing that I would have moved it on after 18 months or so but....... Many fine camera's from a few years back are nowadays expensive doorstops due to the failure of a relatively simple electrical component which is now no longer available so I have a few doubts about the long term viability of the M7, possibly irrational but the thought remains, questions questions, regards Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansel_Adams Posted June 28, 2014 Share #9 Posted June 28, 2014 Nothing wrong with the M7 either as a long term companion. They are all good, although my personal preference is for the models made before 1970... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss leica fan Posted June 28, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 28, 2014 The M7 is my workhorse always ready to shoot. The automatic helps in reacting fast to unanticipated scenes. The MP is very special evoking a photographic style and handling of the 50s and 60s. Nothing, however, beats my M3. Looking through the 100% finder, pushing the release bottom, handling the film advance lever, feeling the camera body. It is always a special feeling. You realize that during production process the individual parts of the M3 were singled out to fit together. NOTHING compares to that. Regards Andreas 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
too old to care Posted June 28, 2014 Share #11 Posted June 28, 2014 I've owned my M6TTL since new, bought it in late 90's. I have never used a flash with it, so the TTL flash function is not important to me. What is the rewind lever, I like it over the MP. Other than that, both are beautiful and would serve you well. I agree with others here, find a nice M6 of some version and pick a extra lens or two. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted June 28, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 28, 2014 I much prefer the film rewind crank of the M6 to that of the MP; the M6 type crank is much easier to work with and is a lot quicker. This is a significant consideration and a clear advantage for the M6 IMO. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted June 28, 2014 Share #13 Posted June 28, 2014 The MP is meant to recreate the excellent workmanship of the M3-M5 era, but it falls short IMO. You would be better off getting a nice M3, M2, M4 or M5 if that is what you want. I'd be interested to know in what manner you think the MP "falls short". I have had a new MP a la carte for 6 months now and was a bit surprised at how rough it was at the start. I'm about 80 rolls in now and it is absolutely smoother and quieter than when it came out of the box. Nowhere near my '59 M3 but there's no telling how many exposures have been rung through that, so I'm giving it time. I chose MP over M7 to avoid the electronics but, really, the M7 shutter must certainly be robust enough or they wouldn't be using its current construction. I never used "A" on my F3s and 1/1000 was always fast enough for my work. I got the button RW as a design choice. So many Ms of various models have been made I can't imagine one wouldn't be able to find spare parts for any of them well into the future. I won't discuss money; OP can spend his as he pleases. I wanted new so I paid for it. If I had bought used I would have immediately also bought a pair of shutter curtains for possible future need. New gave me a 5-year Passport warranty as well and my credit card company added a year to that. Don't know what a new M7 would be but Leica.com would. thanks s-a Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansel_Adams Posted June 28, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 28, 2014 My comment wasn't meant as a criticism of the MP its just that MP cannot match the overall level of fit and finish/engineering of the original Ms in my opinion: vulcanite, top plate engraving, finish and machining, etc. I just find the early Ms to be in a different league. And the viewfinder in the M3 has not been equalled let alone improved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted June 28, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 28, 2014 I owned every rangefinder M body, in pairs, at one time or another. The only time I regretted upgrading was from the M6 to the MP. The black one was painted with a fast-wearing paint designed so that the stereotypical weekend user would not have to wait 25 years for it to look like he was a photojournalist. But rather than wear smoothly to the brass at the edges, it also scratched easily. Mine looked like crap in no time. And the rewind stalk seemed like a way to sell an expensive add-on crank that didn't work as well as the one in the M6. When I bought my MPs brand new they were $2300, compared to about $1400 for a mint M6 at that time. At todays prices the M6 is an even better value. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted June 28, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) If you get the MP, and find that the rewind is a step-backwards in usefulness, you can spend between $179 to $399 on the MP film rewinder here or here. There are other variations, too. Oh heck, for the price of an MP you can buy three M6 non-ttl bodies! Get one in each viewfinder magnification and be happy. Very happy. . Edited June 28, 2014 by pico Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted June 28, 2014 Share #17 Posted June 28, 2014 My comment wasn't meant as a criticism of the MP its just that MP cannot match the overall level of fit and finish/engineering of the original Ms in my opinion: vulcanite, top plate engraving, finish and machining, etc. I just find the early Ms to be in a different league. And the viewfinder in the M3 has not been equalled let alone improved. No worries, I took no offence. I think the fit and finish is equal. I have film in the MP right now but when it is out I'll compare the inside as well. I will say the MP sounds a bit tinny. Thinner covers and shell? Or just more noise from the newer gears, etc.? I can't say. (I just ran a finger tip around the top cover where it butts against the vulkanit. I'd have to give the nod to the M3 there, but only by a very very small bit. Smaller than I care about. ) My vulkanit is of the type used on the M(240). I would have preferred the 'old' type but I was not that into a retro thing for this camera so I let it slide. the old type is what was displayed in the configurator at the time I built it. I got the full engraving, but it wasn't free . I can't speak to the machining right now but, e.g., the frame selector in the MP has a very nice rounded click in use, my M3 has no sound at all. Your choice. The M3 viewfinder *is* pretty nice but I think that's because of its size; it's as bright as my MP's but a bit cooler. I'm actually a 50 kinda guy but I use the 35 often enough that I wanted a 0.72 VF, but I did think about it a lot before ordering. I don't like the 50 framelines on the M3 at all. Too fat, and visually intrusive. But the M3 was my test case and M2s were more than I wanted to spend on a test. Once I decided to go Leica I wanted a new body and a meter of sorts and I wasn't that concerned about the pricing. I don't churn gear and wanted to get it as right as possible the first time. Thanks for writing, s-a Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted June 28, 2014 Share #18 Posted June 28, 2014 .....I totally get the whole idea of the MP and what it represents, my budget looking at the websites of known UK Dealers allows for a MP body and a good late 50mm Summicron....../quote] Most people who would advise you against an MP probably don't have one of their own. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tookaphotoof Posted June 28, 2014 Share #19 Posted June 28, 2014 Have both the MP and M6. Love them both, but somehow the MP feels more solid in the hand and to me it's my personal favourite. Doesn't make any better photos though. I'd say, just follow your hart. If, in any way, you have that MP itch, scratch it, otherwise be happy with the M6. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted June 28, 2014 Share #20 Posted June 28, 2014 I prefer my MPs (I've owned 3 over the years) to the M6 I owned. Please try an MP before you buy anything, otherwise you'll always be wondering. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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