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Thinking about an MP

Gotham Historian

By Gotham Historian
in Film Forum

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Gotham Historian

Gotham Historian

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As a long time lurker of L-Camera forum, even back when it was off of the Leica website, I have only owned one film camera in my whole life, the early 1980s Kodak Disc! My first camera was a Digilux 1 purchased in 2002 and traded in for a Digilux 2 in 2005. Finally, I picked up a used M8 with a 28mm Summicron one year ago.

 

Regretfully, I sold each of them for during each upgrade (sold the M8 to finance some stereo equipment) . I can't help but think about film cameras and strolled over to the film forum and now I'm going through the 95 pages of the MP thread.

 

I'm considering a chrome MP with a 35mm chrome lense. I get the impression that the MP is out of production? Looks like Helix Camera in Chicago still has them in stock. Will need to swing by and take a close look at them.

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Gotham Historian

Gotham Historian

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Actually, you're absolutely right! I saw an ebay auction of an MP which stated that production ceased, but in actuality, after rereading the ad, it's saying that the 0.85x MPs are not in production but rather are now a la carte rather than production items. Reading a few websites, I found out that the 0.72x is the only production MP while the others are indeed a la carte items.

 

Now the eternal question, black vs chrome? I'm leaning towards chrome just because I fear the brassing, but my D2 and M8 were chrome/silver and I wonder if I should try something different this time.

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aesop

aesop

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Actually, you're absolutely right! I saw an ebay auction of an MP which stated that production ceased, but in actuality, after rereading the ad, it's saying that the 0.85x MPs are not in production but rather are now a la carte rather than production items. Reading a few websites, I found out that the 0.72x is the only production MP while the others are indeed a la carte items.

 

Now the eternal question, black vs chrome? I'm leaning towards chrome just because I fear the brassing, but my D2 and M8 were chrome/silver and I wonder if I should try something different this time.

 

 

...my advice to you - irrespective of the veracity of information gleaned off eBay, *never* rely on said site as your sole source.

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pico

pico

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[...] Looks like Helix Camera in Chicago still has them in stock. Will need to swing by and take a close look at them.

 

Helix is a market-maker. You will pay top-dollar, not over-the-top. Put your hands on the merchandise in person and be happy. Helix does not screw-over their customers. You do pay the 'going' rate, so the contract is fair. IMHO!

 

--

Pico - who bought from Helix since the day that Selwin Schwartz established Helix after Altman Camera voluntarily folded.

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JBA

JBA

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Welcome to the slippery slope. I thought about an MP and ended up with three of them. Then again, film cameras and I go back to the mid-'70s.

 

If you fear brassing, get a chrome camera.

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Xmas

Xmas

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An M4-2 is a lot cheaper, and an early series one has

 

- nearly as good viewfinder (- no hard coating)

- a rangefinder adjustment that you can do yourself, if not clumsy, MP more difficult

- accepts IXMOO

- faster rewind if you are not clumsy (-the MP rewind clutch can fail the M4-2 winder wont tolerate a drop)

- less confusing frame lines, no 28 or 75mm

 

Most are in black chrome and will look well ugly but you can get one or more lenses for the difference in price... If you bump into a MP owner they will look down their nose at you though.

 

Noel

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tobey bilek

tobey bilek

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Buy something used and get a CLA + new curtains. It will be good for as long as film is viable.

 

M6, M6 TTL, M7, & MP have meters built in.

 

M6, early ones at least, were the last ones to accept the reloadable brass cassettes. Once you use these, you will not pull film thru a light trap again.

 

The cameras with the best operating feel and range finders were the 2,3, & 4 assuming they are lubed properly. Just don`t buy someones old wedding camera with a million exposures on it.

 

Or if you must have new, the MP will cost $2000 more. They are not out of production, although the volumn is low, no make it very low. Wiothout digital, they would be out of business.

 

I still mave many film Leicas some of which are 50 years old. The pics are same a new camera. Absolutely no difference.

 

And if I compare film with digital, digital is easier, faster, less hassle, and quality is better than the best film you can buy. That is anybody`s digital. I have full frame sensor Nikons now and an older D40 and D200. Run thru noise reduction, I use Define 2, they look like large format contact prints. Since I am familiar with Nikon line, the D3100 is a fine camera. Other brands are competitive.

 

If you still want film, Kodak Portra 160 is the best around. Push up contrast and color in Photoshop. If you learn to use it, film can be a viable alturnative. Stay away from cheap consumer films and buy good processing or you are wasting Leicas quality. Just buy a $100 1970 SLR at a camera show and you get the same thing. The new photoshop 5 is wonderful. Get a quality scan, manipulate to your desire, and get it printed.

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bill

bill

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To the OP; the MP .85 is definitely still produced, since I acquired mine a la carte a month or so ago :cool:

 

Speaking as one who has an M7 as well, and sold on a much-loved M2 to a new "curator" (hello Andy :D) I think the choice between new and used comes down to price, condition and how much store you set by being the first to use something tailored *exactly* to your tastes; I admit that my MP, in chrome, with just four framelines was the nearest I could get to a modern duplicate of my M2, with the additional benefit of an inboard meter when I want it.

 

However, I will say this... Resistance is futile; the MP is the sine qua non of 35mm film cameras. If you don't get one you will always wonder...;)

 

Now...

 

Wiothout digital, they would be out of business.

 

Proof?

 

And if I compare film with digital, digital is easier, faster, less hassle, and quality is better than the best film you can buy.

 

Proof??

 

If you still want film, Kodak Portra 160 is the best around. Push up contrast and color in Photoshop. If you learn to use it, film can be a viable alturnative. Stay away from cheap consumer films and buy good processing or you are wasting Leicas quality. Just buy a $100 1970 SLR at a camera show and you get the same thing. The new photoshop 5 is wonderful. Get a quality scan, manipulate to your desire, and get it printed.

 

...or, alternatively, you could develop, enlarge and print at home and avoid the pixelpath altogether :rolleyes:

 

Please let's avoid attracting the Digibunnies and not turn this into yet another film vs digital thread?!

 

Regards,

 

Bill

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Xmas

Xmas

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Please let's avoid attracting the Digibunnies and not turn this into yet another film vs digital thread?!

 

But they are like flies and flypaper, fox and foxhounds, have you no taste for sport?

It is not as though we are trolling on their subforum is it?

 

Noel

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mikebidwell

mikebidwell

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But they are like flies and flypaper, fox and foxhounds, have you no taste for sport?

It is not as though we are trolling on their subforum is it?

 

Noel

 

And if you ignore them they will get bored and go away ???? :)

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RITskellar

RITskellar

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Always curious to me why people seem to need to justify their own choice by recommending to the OP that they do something completely different from what they are wanting, or originally inquired. Why does buying a used 30 year old camera make you smarter??? A used M4-2 or M6 or whatever, may be a perfectly good camera. But if someone wants an MP, and wants and is able to pay new prices for it, what's wrong with that? An MP is a brilliant camera. Go for it.

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Guest dk_samurai

Guest dk_samurai

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To get back to the OP, here's my 2 cents of advice:

 

If you're now already considering the a la carte option... wait. Buy a used MP, shoot it a lot for about a year or more. Get to know everything about it, so you can have a good understanding of what it is you want, if you were to go the expensive a la carte route.

 

Then, if you want to get an MP customized for you... well, just head on down to your nearest dealer. If you're satisfied with the standard MP, even after a year... well, happy you! :)

 

Best,

David

 

PS.: What I did, was get a standard black MP (used). Then after a few months, I sent it down to Leica to get it modified. A different way of achieving an a la carte MP.

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Xmas

Xmas

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Always curious to me why people seem to need to justify their own choice by recommending to the OP that they do something completely different from what they are wanting, or originally inquired. Why does buying a used 30 year old camera make you smarter??? A used M4-2 or M6 or whatever, may be a perfectly good camera. But if someone wants an MP, and wants and is able to pay new prices for it, what's wrong with that? An MP is a brilliant camera. Go for it.

Hi RIT

Not my choice merely my reading of the OP.

The OP indicates he has sold current to replace, this means he is on a budget.

I don't use a M4-2, I use M2s, but it e.g. the OP wants two lenses then an M4-2 and two lenses is better then a MP and one lens.

An MP is merely what the marketing people thought would sell, to complement the M7, it seems to have exceeded their predictions.

That does not mean it is a good or bad camera, merely that it is selling.

Noel

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Gotham Historian

Gotham Historian

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I went by Helix and handled a 0.58 chrome (sn 299xxxxx, not an ala carte) and a 0.72 black. There is a $1000 difference with the 0.72 being higher! (I need to find out what these numbers mean, but I suspect it refers to the view finder's width of vision with the 0.58 being a wider angle of view?...is that really worth $1000 less?).

 

I've had two chrome Leicas and love them, but that black gloss lacquer finish is pretty unique. Is it something I can keep for life or is it a novelty with the gloss black? I can't decide. Must keep reading the "I love my MP" thread for inspiration. I'm on page 32 of the "I love my MP" thread. Every 10 pages, I'm back on ebay or popflash or adorama...

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