Are we going to buy the new analogue M?

[Sandokan]

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...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.

 

If only I could get a Black one

[Leicaiste]

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

 

The Leica M-A is the same camera as the Leica MP classic black paint made at 500 ex. in 2004.

 

A Photo Visual Library on Leica MP Classic outfit - Part V - MIR Image Library

 

Maybe that's the reason. Not make angry those who paid a premium in 2004/2005.

[Leicaiste]

Some other pictures of the Leica MP Classic outfit:

 

A Photo Visual Library on Leica MP Classic outfit - Part V - MIR Image Library

[Peng Kang Hill]

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.

 

I have almost the same setup as you, Jaybob.

 

My M3 and M6 are 58 and 20 years old. And if you, as a professional photographer, are satisfied with them, there is absolutely NO reason for me, a hobbyist, to lust for an MP or M-A.

 

Dom

[Jaybob]

I'm at peace with my lust.

 

There's no known cure for gear acquisition syndrome, but M film cameras that are actually taken out and shot with do appear to slow it's progress. Digital, by it's very nature, creates obsolescence, until you reach your own tip point. I'm not much of a more is better guy at this point in my career. I don't have a D4 or D810 from Nikon, because with a flash attached or in low light or in situations where I have to make a picture regardless, my D3 does everything I need it to do, every time. I've also made a conscious decision that I am personally am taking a digital camera product cycle or two (or three...) off. All the iterations of D1 (D1, D1H, D1X) and D2 (D2H and D2X) that I owned just barely got the job done. I still use the D2X outside in the daytime at 100 ISO with a monopodded 300 f2.8, because in that situation, I get a 420 f2.8 and there's nothing wrong with the camera or the files it produces.

 

Now if I was ever to need a replacement camera for one of the two film M bodies I own, AND If the M-A was re-intro'ed (or even had the availability) of the .92 rangefinder...I would really still have a very difficult time justifying it's newness over a searched for and found, barely broken in, 6 or 7 year old used chrome a la carte .85 MP with a meter, or another garden variety M6, (properly bought, of course) for thousands of dollars less.

 

The fact that there is basically no difference between a new camera and one that is already older than I am is pretty stunning to say out loud.

 

I do like shooting film with the M6/3 in combo with the F5 (for super wide, 17 to 35, and super telelphoto, and flash) at weddings. I'm at a point right now where I can do it. Although I don't recommend it for everybody, it can be pretty amazing and empowering feeling. There are some examples of film usage in some of the most recent posts on the BLOG section of my website, listed in my signature.

 

Sorry to drift off topic there.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Jaybob

[Cyril Jayant]

I'd buy it if:

1) it came in black paint

2) I didn't already have a perfectly good Leica film body.

 

As an aside, is it just me or does Leica appear to be losing a bit of focus? There are now a lot of different product lines with various special editions (the M-A has a whiff of a special edition about it, no matter what Leica say about it) and rehashed older models (M-P, M-E, S-E, X-E plus the new X using what looks like the X vario body, etc.). There was a time once when you had a choice of the current M or R body and that was it. I think I preferred it like that.

 

This is something I find too, to make complicating to choose and find your camera.

[fsprow]

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Yes, though I already have too many M's. If that's possible.

[fsprow]

I should have added that I find the iPhone light meter App very satisfactory with B&W film.

[pico]

IMHO, Leica should offer it in their 1969 black enamel finish. Nothing in black since then has the same luster or depth. It is something you must experience in person.

Edited September 21, 2014 by pico

[Peng Kang Hill]

I happened to pass by our local Leica outlet (Singapore) yesterday. They told me that they expect the M-A to be in the store only next year

[dante]

The M-A has the air of being the last film M. If I were into 35mm film, I'd buy it.

 

Dante

[leicaphilia]

The M-A has the air of being the last film M. If I were into 35mm film, I'd buy it.

 

Dante

 

Interesting. Although I disagree with you. Only time will tell, but I suspect Leica will be offering at least 1 film camera 20 years from now.

 

I think we've reached a tipping point in the "digital kills film" debate. Digital has progressed to maturity and the market is saturated. Film still retains a core of enthusiastic users who see it not as a sentimental throwback but as a viable photographic process in its own right, fundamentally different from digital capture and actually preferable to digital for some photographic applications.

 

The invention of mass-produced acrylic paints made painting more democratic, easier, less time consuming. But it didn't kill oil paints, the traditional medium. Likewise with digital/film. Based solely on anecdotal evidence, I see an increased acknowledgment of the uniqueness of film and a desire on the part of younger photographers who came of age in the digital era to also consider film use, not merely as a sentimental exercise but as a viable photographic alternative.

[honcho]

The M-A has the air of being the last film M....

Dante

 

The same was probably said of the MP, so I disagree with your assertion. There must be a strong possibility of a black lacquer M-AP with a rewind crank, a plastic red dot and a free roll of FP4+ in a few years' time.

 

All it needs is a Leica marketing guru to work it out.

[wattsy]

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

 

Most of the Leica collectibles nowadays seem to come in various blingy materials like stainless steel so I doubt whether black paint is being held back for this reason. I suspect Leica wanted to cash in on the unexpected success of the Monochrom by aping the look of that camera (mistakenly attributing part of the success of the latter to it's "stealthy" minimalism rather than its qualities as a camera).

[comte de Mazan]

Leica MA ,without exposure meter, it is puzzling indeed … I have an MP and I find it perfect for me, it is really the fulfillment of the M serie from the M3. When I think how long it took to Leica technicians to integrate an exposure meter in the camera, M5, M6 and now we return to the M3 or M2 ..

This is pure marketing…The MA is only a Leica MP without exposure meter. (The black chrome finish is possible on the program "A la Carte.") In fact, the MA is almost similar to the MP Classic (without meter) appeared some years ago.

This is what we can currently read on the Leica-forum site, taken from a press release, which borders on the ridiculous ...

"As a purely mechanical rangefinder camera, the Leica M-A stands for a return to photography in its most original form. Without reliance on a monitor, exposure metering or batteries, photographers can explore entirely new creative horizons. Because, with a camera reduced to only essential camera functions, users of the M-A can now concentrate entirely on the essential parameters of subject composition – namely focal length, aperture and shutter speed – and on capturing the decisive moment."

So having to use a separate light meter to analyze the light " the photographers can explore entirely new creative horizons."

I use myself quite often a 2,8F Rolleiflex (which I love), and I must always use a light meter.

I'm happy with my MP to not have to do it every time, even if I do not check each time the light ...

I reiterate what I said earlier, the MP is the logical culmination of the silver line M, and the M-A a marketing product.

[wattsy]

I reiterate what I said earlier, the MP is the logical culmination of the silver line M, and the M-A a marketing product.

 

The MP (which I have) is just a warmed over M6 and the Leica "marketing product" par excellence.

[comte de Mazan]

I do not agree.

The MA is technically a Leica MP without exposure meter, and no more.

The Leica MP is an improvement of the M6.

Here is the list of them: (Google translate from german…)

 

 

viewfinder:

· All optical parts are fully coated.

· The viewfinder window have a new scratch-resistant coating.

· The roof prism is for stray light reduction black Application of top coat.

· For better illumination of the viewfinder frame and a flare of the 2nd image contrast to improve

To ensure Reflexmininierung is positioned an additional lens in the vicinity of the masks.

· To ensure better illumination of the viewfinder frame and a reflex reduction, the shape and

the bore adapted contour of the mirror of the rangefinder cameras.

· The top cap is milled off at one point, which ensures that at high mechanical stress

that the height adjustment is largely excluded.

· A battery icon in two stages informed about the condition of the batteries.

In still workable batteries, the battery icon appears and the exposure control is still possible.

Is no longer sufficient supply voltage goes out of balance and exposure, it is only the

Battery icon to see.

 

Electronics:

· The meter electronics has been revised and is state.

· A flash-processor allows a digital balance for programming in production and service at

an attached deck cap. By avoiding the long-term stability potentiometer increased.

· Improved linearity of the meter ensures accurate exposures over the entire operating range.

· A voltage regulator ensures the correct supply voltage safely even with weak batteries.

 

Flash mode:

· It can now also sync flashes with the camera without a battery in the camera.

(The camera does not support TTL flash operation).

· The starting slope of the hot shoe is integrated into the housing.

 

· The film lift is more uniform and softer with optimized gear shapes.

Through better friction (Rutschkupplungverbesserte material selection of the friction disc of the film spool

is next to a quiet film transport / elevator reaches a higher long-term stability.)

to film wind the lift has become quiet and the long-term stability.

 

· Additional battery cover with coin slot

 

shutter:

· The main plate of the shutter brake is now made ​​of a bronze alloy, whereby the settings

The stability can be improved more durable.

· The spring saddle for the friction of the brake is made ​​of a wear resistant material.

· The saddle spring the friction brake has become thinner. Reason: better time behavior

· The leaf spring of the brake (View Notes .: there is one more leaf spring in the camera) is the

Material change of bronze is harder and more durable steel.

· The second spring for friction is shown elastic, what better setting and a

better long-term stability guaranteed.

[leicaphilia]

I do not agree.

The MA is technically a Leica MP without exposure meter, and no more.

The Leica MP is an improvement of the M6.

Here is the list of them: (Google translate from german…)

 

 

viewfinder:

· All optical parts are fully coated.

· The viewfinder window have a new scratch-resistant coating.

· The roof prism is for stray light reduction black Application of top coat.

· For better illumination of the viewfinder frame and a flare of the 2nd image contrast to improve

To ensure Reflexmininierung is positioned an additional lens in the vicinity of the masks.

· To ensure better illumination of the viewfinder frame and a reflex reduction, the shape and

the bore adapted contour of the mirror of the rangefinder cameras.

· The top cap is milled off at one point, which ensures that at high mechanical stress

that the height adjustment is largely excluded.

· A battery icon in two stages informed about the condition of the batteries.

In still workable batteries, the battery icon appears and the exposure control is still possible.

Is no longer sufficient supply voltage goes out of balance and exposure, it is only the

Battery icon to see.

 

Electronics:

· The meter electronics has been revised and is state.

· A flash-processor allows a digital balance for programming in production and service at

an attached deck cap. By avoiding the long-term stability potentiometer increased.

· Improved linearity of the meter ensures accurate exposures over the entire operating range.

· A voltage regulator ensures the correct supply voltage safely even with weak batteries.

 

Flash mode:

· It can now also sync flashes with the camera without a battery in the camera.

(The camera does not support TTL flash operation).

· The starting slope of the hot shoe is integrated into the housing.

 

· The film lift is more uniform and softer with optimized gear shapes.

Through better friction (Rutschkupplungverbesserte material selection of the friction disc of the film spool

is next to a quiet film transport / elevator reaches a higher long-term stability.)

to film wind the lift has become quiet and the long-term stability.

 

· Additional battery cover with coin slot

 

shutter:

· The main plate of the shutter brake is now made ​​of a bronze alloy, whereby the settings

The stability can be improved more durable.

· The spring saddle for the friction of the brake is made ​​of a wear resistant material.

· The saddle spring the friction brake has become thinner. Reason: better time behavior

· The leaf spring of the brake (View Notes .: there is one more leaf spring in the camera) is the

Material change of bronze is harder and more durable steel.

· The second spring for friction is shown elastic, what better setting and a

better long-term stability guaranteed.

 

Still not as cool as my black M4:p

[AbbeyFoto]

Truth is I am thinking of getting back into film photography "on the side". I am only too happy Leica continues to "be there" and the chrome M-A is, for me at least, very attractive. So here I hover; first I need to be sure I want to revive my film photography

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[plasticman]

I do not agree.

The MA is technically a Leica MP without exposure meter, and no more.

The Leica MP is an improvement of the M6.

Here is the list of them: (Google translate from german…)

blablabla.

 

If you like your eggs easy over and your friend likes them sunny side up, do you also write long lists of reasons why they are doing it wrong? Or is it just cameras where your own personal preferences are exclusively right, and people with different opinions are foolish misguided victims of 'marketing'?

I'm curious.