Are we going to buy the new analogue M?

[kivis]

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I am amazed by all the Leica's announced in the past few days. But the naming of these models has no logic to it and is most confusing.

M-A

M Edition 60

M-P

 

Loved those early days of the Leica M's when the 3 was followed by the 2 then followed by the 4. It just made so much sense.

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[semi-ambivalent]

Thanks for your suggestion s-a.

 

Yes, you're exactly right about cold blooded decisions . You mean they gave you a different covering from what you opted? I rather like the bumpy vulcanite - gives the real vintage look.

Dom

Dom,

 

Yes. Well, it might have been what, at the time, was "vulkanit". But the image used on the configurator was of what you are thinking of as bumpy. I suppose my complaint would be with the webmaster for dropping the ball, or with Marketing for signing off on the discrepancy. I don't think Leica really has a total handle on this Internet Thing, but their site is better than it was.

 

I have come to really like the 'vulkanit240'. It has a much more secure surface friction than does my M3 and looks good with black paint. I agree with you on the vintage thing; especially with chrome, but I've decided just to let it go; it's negative energy and I'm prone enough to that. If bumps are important to you then get it in writing *before* you submit that a la carte order.

 

Take pictures,

s-a

[honcho]

Am I going to buy a new 'analogue' (stupid term) M?

 

No. I bought my MP as the last 35mm film camera I would buy to mark my personal journey with photography. After 8 years of use and now bearing the scuffs and marks of travel and adventures picked up during that time, just as the advertising bumpf said it would, I couldn't possibly turn my back on my MP only to start all over again with a pristine new camera.

 

However, I would say to anyone thinking of buying one to just do it.

[wattsy]

I still find the lack of a black paint option inexplicable. It obviously has no bearing on the camera's suitability for taking photographs but, let's be honest, most of us who have bought an MP in recent years did so for reasons that go beyond simply taking photos (otherwise we might as well have bought a used M6). The black paint finish is part of what marks out the MP as a camera that you can't help but want to pick up and use – it has a tactile and visual quality that seems to be more than a bit of shiny black paint. It sounds ridiculous but if I was otherwise minded to buy the M-A (and I am very slightly tempted) the lack of a black paint option is a deal breaker.

[jaapv]

I am amazed by all the Leica's announced in the past few days. But the naming of these models has no logic to it and is most confusing.

M-A

M Edition 60

M-P

 

Loved those early days of the Leica M's when the 3 was followed by the 2 then followed by the 4. It just made so much sense.

You forgot the M1 after the M2, and then the MP (old) And then the M5, and then the M4-2 and then the M4-P...., followed by the M6, M6-J and M6 TTL, before settling down to an M7 and MP (new...)

Edited September 18, 2014 by jaapv

[Stealth3kpl]

You forgot the M1 after the M2, and then the MP (old) And then the M5, and then the M4-2 and then the M4-P...., followed by the M6, M6-J and M6 TTL, before settling down to an M7 and MP (new...)

 

Well, that's true, but there was some logic:

M4 and M4-2 (grade 2 cheap version )

M6 , M6 (-Japan), M6TTL (Through the lens)

 

But how they came around to make the latest digital an M-P and the latest film camera an M-A ?? It seems to show a thorough lack of fore thought.

 

"I've an M". Does it mean he has a leica M, M1, M2 or M3 ........M9, M9P etc? Is it film or digital?

"I've an MP" does he mean MP or M-P? Is it film or digital?

 

There will be some misunderstandings related to this; potentially expensively inaccurate repair quotes, advice etc

Many companies have a roadmap.

Pete

[Stealth3kpl]

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Back on topic.

I doubt any present film user with working a film M mount body they are happy with will bother buying it. Should someone want to buy a new leica film body, they will get it unless they want reflective meter in an a la carte MP, or standard issue MP.

Pete

[stephen.w]

I still find the lack of a black paint option inexplicable. It obviously has no bearing on the camera's suitability for taking photographs but, let's be honest, most of us who have bought an MP in recent years did so for reasons that go beyond simply taking photos (otherwise we might as well have bought a used M6). The black paint finish is part of what marks out the MP as a camera that you can't help but want to pick up and use – it has a tactile and visual quality that seems to be more than a bit of shiny black paint. It sounds ridiculous but if I was otherwise minded to buy the M-A (and I am very slightly tempted) the lack of a black paint option is a deal breaker.

 

Speaking only for myself, I am in the market for a new film M. I will probably get a black MP, because I wouldn't want to be without an on-board meter and I want the choice of a 0.58x finder, but I prefer the durability and unobtrusiveness of the finish on the new M-A (the same as on the M-Monochrom, no?). I can't see myself having any emotional investment in the unique way the paint comes away from my camera (starting from only a few rolls in, going on a few posts I've seen here) but maybe that would change with MP ownership.

[Jaybob]

Not initially...not because I don't think it's pretty, mind you, I'm just super satisfied with what I already have.

 

I shoot M6 classic with a .72 finder for the 35, and M3 for everything else. Those 2 cameras are 29 and 57 years old respectively, and both still function flawlessly, although I'd like to get a factory double stroke to single stroke upgrade as my frame lines are sort of narrow on the M3.

 

AND (sacrilege, I know...) I actually like the look of Tmax 400, pushed a stop or two.

Edited September 18, 2014 by Jaybob

[pico]

I still find the lack of a black paint option inexplicable. [...]

 

 

So true. The depth of Leica's black enamel was extraordinary. The white lettering sunk below the paint in a special way.

 

However the enamel wore away easily. It was not durable and almost melted on our sweaty hands.

 

What would think of a polished brass top and bottom protected by a durable clear marine paint?

 

 

[Firefly]

Maybe the black paint option is being held back for a limited edition? Black paint, no meter and a limited number made equals a collector's dream,

cheers Rob

[250swb]

An 'analogue' M? Somebody at Leica should raid the petty cash and run down to the bookshop for a dictionary. What aspect of 'analogue' does the camera refer to?

 

But with other camera's without meters available for much less money, and which many people will tell you are better cameras anyway, the M-A is going to have a tough time in discussions starting with '...should I buy an M-A or an M3?'

 

Steve

[pop]

An 'analogue' M? Somebody at Leica should raid the petty cash and run down to the bookshop for a dictionary. What aspect of 'analogue' does the camera refer to?

 

But with other camera's without meters available for much less money, and which many people will tell you are better cameras anyway, the M-A is going to have a tough time in discussions starting with '...should I buy an M-A or an M3?'

 

Steve

 

As far as I have been able to determine, Leica calls the M-A a "mechanical" camera, not an "analogue" one.

 

Once the M3 and the M4 have proven to be very popular, I see no reason why someone should not like to buy a new one. Otherwise, you'd just as soon argue that there was no need for an MP because there are still used M6s about.

[tookaphotoof]

Agreed. Some buy used cameras, some don't, just like some people buy used cars and again, some don't...

[plasticman]

I have all the cameras I need. In fact I have more than all the cameras I need.

But I'd still love to have one of these.

 

I'm considering whether to sell off a few things and buy one, or whether to let good sense prevail and carry on using the perfectly great cameras I already own.

 

Sometimes people want to treat themselves. Sometimes they want to buy a new camera. Right now I'm even thinking I want to reward Leica for being so cool as to release a totally mechanical film camera in 2014 - approximately 10-14 years after so many internet 'experts' had proclaimed film to be finally dead.

 

Hmmm - decisions.

 

There's no rush. This model will probably still be available 25 years from now.

[tookaphotoof]

If only more manufacturers would introduce film cameras again at more affordable prices.

Not talking about those rubbish Lomostuff!

[Sandokan]

I still cannot get over how big and ugly that screw in the middle is.

 

Why does it have to be visible? Doesnt the M Edition 60 have a plate to hide it?

 

Why does the head on it have to protrude so much?

 

Havent Leica heard of flat head Phillips?

[pop]

Flat my head is not!

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[tookaphotoof]

I still cannot get over how big and ugly that screw in the middle is.

 

Why does it have to be visible? Doesnt the M Edition 60 have a plate to hide it?

 

Why does the head on it have to protrude so much?

 

Havent Leica heard of flat head Phillips?

 

Wrong thread maybe?

[aesop]

I still cannot get over how big and ugly that screw in the middle is.

 

Why does it have to be visible? Doesnt the M Edition 60 have a plate to hide it?

 

Why does the head on it have to protrude so much?

 

Havent Leica heard of flat head Phillips?

 

 

...oddly enough, I quite like the 'functional' screw where it is (horses, courses, etc). You could stick a big red dot over it and pretend it isn't there, you know.