tatetate Posted January 29, 2016 Share #1 Posted January 29, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi I would like to thank you all in advance for your help. I am considering used MP with serial starting with 29xxx. and another one with 39xxxx I believe this is from 2003-2004 production where as 39xxx seem to be newer one. (used) both bodies are mint. 29xx is black leather where is 39xx is brown lizardish and chrome and there is massive price difference between old and new. My question is is there any difference between leica MP made in 2004 & 2014. Any thing that i should be aware? Please advice. Apologies for the ignorance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 29, 2016 Posted January 29, 2016 Hi tatetate, Take a look here Leica MP 29xxx vs 39xxx. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Abram Posted January 29, 2016 Share #2 Posted January 29, 2016 Someone will chime in with the specific serial numbers but the early early ones did not have as good of a seal around the viewfinder and as such would get quite dusty (though it's totally fixable). Also it had the older style M6 ISO dial on the rear. To my knowledge these are the only differences. I have an early one myself 289xxxx and it needs to have the VF cleaned but Leica is going to do that for me on the house. If the older one is considerably less expensive (as mine was) I wouldn't hesitate to pick it up. I'm also not a fan of the stock "sharkskin" covering and I can't wait to replace it with something else. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indergaard Posted January 29, 2016 Share #3 Posted January 29, 2016 I have a MP-46xxxx camera that was manufactured in January 2015. I can't really see a difference between it compared to my wife's MP-29xxxx. The biggest difference is that her viewfinder has some dust inside and needs a light cleaning - otherwise they work exactly the same. Her's is silver and mine is black though, but the sharkskin leatherette is exactly the same, and everything else too, besides the color and texture difference. An older camera might need a CLA, depending on if it's been regularly used or not. It's better if the camera has been used than not. Shelf/collector cameras usually needs some lubrication whereas used cameras tend to me smoother and nicer. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 29, 2016 Share #4 Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) An unused MP from 2003 will not need a CLA. Edited January 29, 2016 by wattsy 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted January 29, 2016 Share #5 Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) I agree with Ian and Indergaard,the same also for me, no difference ! MP is a wonderful camera the best of Leica in analog if you use the lightmeter ... and with a Leica optics , it's better Best H. Edited January 29, 2016 by Doc Henry 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatetate Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted January 29, 2016 Many thanks everyone Can someone confirm when was the view finder sealing issue sorted? There is used but like new ala carte availble with 30xxxx serial. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted January 29, 2016 Share #7 Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) My 2#### has smoother film transport than my 3#### which is still very smooth, just not 2#### smooth. Pete Edited January 29, 2016 by Stealth3kpl 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indergaard Posted January 29, 2016 Share #8 Posted January 29, 2016 Many thanks everyone Can someone confirm when was the view finder sealing issue sorted? There is used but like new ala carte availble with 30xxxx serial. The viewfinder is still not sealed from the factory. According to Tamarkin Camera the new MP's are still shipped without sealed viewfinders. My MP-46xxxx (manufactured in January 2015) is clear evidence of that, as I recently got it back from service where I had the viewfinder cleaned and sealed upon request, as I quickly got dust inside the viewfinder. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 29, 2016 Share #9 Posted January 29, 2016 Leica has fiddled over the years with electronics of the internal meter. I know from a Leica tech in NJ that the old M6 was better than the earlier ones because of that and, to the point, he noted that Leica did improve the MP meter over time. What year, which serial numbers, no idea. I do think, however, when looking at used prices there is a big jump from the 2003 versions to even the 2009 versions, and I don't believe this is just 6 years of age. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted January 29, 2016 Share #10 Posted January 29, 2016 Leica has fiddled over the years with electronics of the internal meter. I know from a Leica tech in NJ that the old M6 was better than the earlier ones because of that and, to the point, he noted that Leica did improve the MP meter over time. What year, which serial numbers, no idea. I do think, however, when looking at used prices there is a big jump from the 2003 versions to even the 2009 versions, and I don't believe this is just 6 years of age. M6 meter is prone to dying versus the MP's improved diodes and electronics. That's what read. As for a MP-29xx versus MP-40xx, I see no difference with mine. I use both without noticing any difference. Back in 2003 the MP was marketed as a huge improvement over the extremely reliable M6. This holds true even today. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 29, 2016 Share #11 Posted January 29, 2016 M6 meter is prone to dying versus the MP's improved diodes and electronics. That's what read. As for a MP-29xx versus MP-40xx, I see no difference with mine. I use both without noticing any difference. Back in 2003 the MP was marketed as a huge improvement over the extremely reliable M6. This holds true even today. Thanks ...... assuming an MP in excellent shape there doesn't seem to be a reason to pay a $1000 or more premium for an MP that is 8 years newer? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatetate Posted January 29, 2016 Author Share #12 Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) Hmm sounds i am going to learn plenty of things around. i am considering brown/lizard leatherish Mp. 2013-14 bult. Correction: Ostrich look, chestnut Edited January 29, 2016 by tatetate Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 30, 2016 Share #13 Posted January 30, 2016 29xx is black leather where is 39xx is brown lizardish and chrome and there is massive price difference between old and new. If the early one is black leather it has been tampered with as it should be the standard fine grain high grip mock sharkskin finish. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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