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MP vs. M6


BlackDE

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The finder of the M6 can be upgraded to flare free optics, the advance lever can be easily replaced to one that matches the M3's.

 

The differences are:

 

  • Price, an MP is a lot more expensive than an M6 even if you factor in a CLA, VF upgrade and a replacement lever.
  • A slightly more sensitive meter.
  • The ISO dial on the back is less cluttered and probably easier to use (not that the M6's is that hard to set).
  • It has the >*< LED display in the VF of the modern Ms for exposure indication, the M6 has the original ><.
  • Heavier as there is (more) brass in an MP
  • The rewind knob is the classic one from the M3 and not the angled from the M4 (unless you splurge and order one a-la carte).
  • They look slightly different.
  • Its and MP and not an M6, to some the most important factor. It seems to makes them feel set apart from the rest of us Leica nuts.

 

In the end the lens on the body and the person pressing the shutter is far more important to the end result than if it is an MP or an M6.

 

As Bill, the biggest MP nut I know (and I mean this affectionately Bill) will say in the end: "you pay your money and takes your choice".

 

The only thing from the MP I really miss on my M6, now that I have had the VF optics upgraded, is the rewind knob of my M3, I much prefer that to the angled one of the M6. But it is certainly not enough to warrant the cost of an MP.

 

Carl

 

 

Thank you, Carl, for this detailed insight.

 

Cheers,

Bernhard

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I have the M6 and the M2, not an MP.

 

But I did read a lot on the MP and played around with one recently.....tempted by many posts on this forum.

 

My perception was that the MP is certainly in a higher build class than the M6 (my first M ) but the M2 wins overall in terms of handling and smoothness.

 

For me it was great news.....I have the best of the best in the M6 and M2 and my 'lusting' is over.

 

best

andy

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I agree - I had a beautiful BP MP which I traded in for a 0.58 M7, best thing I ever did. The MP's shutter dial was so fiddly that too many photos were missed. The M7 seems more tightly constructed than an M6 TTL which I have been using this week.

 

 

...hmmm, sounds like a technique issue to me. I say this because I own both cameras (M6 & MP), and my experience with their shutter dials has been nothing short of positive. No shots got away because of the shutter dial.

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...hmmm, sounds like a technique issue to me. I say this because I own both cameras (M6 & MP), and my experience with their shutter dials has been nothing short of positive. No shots got away because of the shutter dial.

 

Lot of people fing the light meter lights too compellng and spend time adjusting speed and aperture, an M7 has an auto mode...

 

Noel

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Lot of people fing the light meter lights too compellng and spend time adjusting speed and aperture, an M7 has an auto mode...

 

Noel

 

 

...intriguing, Noël.

 

On the subject of dexterity, I find that, given negative film's latitude (more so with B&W than colour), the MP can be used in either "shutter-" or "aperture-priority" mode. But first you need to understand your film, understand the lighting, and finally, understand what your meter is saying and why.

 

It goes without saying that the above is not MP-specific, but applies to all manual exposure negative film photography.

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...intriguing, Noël.

 

On the subject of dexterity, I find that, given negative film's latitude (more so with B&W than colour), the MP can be used in either "shutter-" or "aperture-priority" mode. But first you need to understand your film, understand the lighting, and finally, understand what your meter is saying and why.

 

It goes without saying that the above is not MP-specific, but applies to all manual exposure negative film photography.

 

Confirmed, when street shooting I remove the battery from M6, stops me worrying about the single arrow, (or when I have two but the spot is not on an average part...) Weston in pocket does not distract.

 

Noel

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Guest Ron (Netherlands)
The finder of the M6 can be upgraded to flare free optics, the advance lever can be easily replaced to one that matches the M3's.

 

The differences are:

 

  • Price, an MP is a lot more expensive than an M6 even if you factor in a CLA, VF upgrade and a replacement lever.
  • A slightly more sensitive meter.
  • The ISO dial on the back is less cluttered and probably easier to use (not that the M6's is that hard to set).
  • It has the >*< LED display in the VF of the modern Ms for exposure indication, the M6 has the original ><.
  • Heavier as there is (more) brass in an MP
  • The rewind knob is the classic one from the M3 and not the angled from the M4 (unless you splurge and order one a-la carte).
  • They look slightly different.
  • Its and MP and not an M6, to some the most important factor. It seems to makes them feel set apart from the rest of us Leica nuts.

 

In the end the lens on the body and the person pressing the shutter is far more important to the end result than if it is an MP or an M6.

 

As Bill, the biggest MP nut I know (and I mean this affectionately Bill) will say in the end: "you pay your money and takes your choice".

 

The only thing from the MP I really miss on my M6, now that I have had the VF optics upgraded, is the rewind knob of my M3, I much prefer that to the angled one of the M6. But it is certainly not enough to warrant the cost of an MP.

 

Carl

 

Now try to make that list comparing the MP with the Leica Millennium (M6 TTL) and the - perhaps only - difference still left (for me) is the bigger shutter dial on the Millenium, which some like and other don't....

 

but that is why in the end I choose the Millennium....

 

http://kpmg0072.home.xs4all.nl/Leica/Millenium.JPG

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