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Changing film is a quirk now? I just received a second M3; I'd better get over to the precinct station and get fitted for my ankle bracelet. :D

 

s-a

 

Yes, my friend. In 20 degree F weather after shooting continuously for a half hour or so on the street, changing film with the M3 has a lot to be desired. As much as I love the camera, at times I cringe with frustration and find myself saying WTF!!

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Sold my M4 and M6 Classic to help finance the buying of this beauty (still have and enjoy my M9).

 

Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.

 

I am 90% there in terms of getting an M-A for myself. Really torn on the silver vs. black question.

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Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.

 

I am 90% there in terms of getting an M-A for myself. Really torn on the silver vs. black question.

 

The silver is more. Classic but the black is special b/c the only other camera with the particular finish is the Monochrom.

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Just updating the USA warranty info for the M-A. It appears to be only a 2-yr limited warranty, which does NOT cover accidents as with the passport warranty. Seems as though the warranty is significantly cut back from that of the MP. Very curious.

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Just updating the USA warranty info for the M-A. It appears to be only a 2-yr limited warranty, which does NOT cover accidents as with the passport warranty. Seems as though the warranty is significantly cut back from that of the MP. Very curious.

 

I agree that this doesn't make sense. If an MP has three years of passport protection, as do nearly all lenses, why doesn't the M-A?

 

If anything, the M-A's lack of electronics should justify a longer warranty period than the MP!

 

It is not just about the mechanical soundness of the product. The passport warranty covers accidental damage. The passport is also part of Leica's positioning as a luxury brand. I really don't understand why the M-A has such limited coverage.

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Just updating the USA warranty info for the M-A. It appears to be only a 2-yr limited warranty, which does NOT cover accidents as with the passport warranty. Seems as though the warranty is significantly cut back from that of the MP. Very curious.

 

Warranty duration/coverage helps position the MP at the top of the heap (with the M7). It's not just price that sets things like that it's the entire feature set, of which the warranty is part.

 

But no, I'm not an expert,

s-a

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the M-A could just end up being a limited edition in the event not enough are sold. I don't believe Leica has a long-term commitment to continue the line such as the M7 and MP (film). I think this is just something a bit on a lark that required little investment on their part, save for the box which is incredible -- happy with less box for lower price.

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the M-A could just end up being a limited edition in the event not enough are sold. I don't believe Leica has a long-term commitment to continue the line such as the M7 and MP (film).

 

My suspicion is that the MP and M7 may be dropped once Leica deplete stocks of the electronic parts in those cameras.

The M-A being fully mechanical could easily remain in production for another 50 years.

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Yes, my friend. In 20 degree F weather after shooting continuously for a half hour or so on the street, changing film with the M3 has a lot to be desired. As much as I love the camera, at times I cringe with frustration and find myself saying WTF!!

 

Let's face it: You're not a serious photographer if you don't have a few pre-loaded take up M3 spools in your pocket. That's the way to do it with a M2/M3 and a whole day of shooting agead.

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The silver is more. Classic but the black is special b/c the only other camera with the particular finish is the Monochrom.

 

What do you mean?

 

A Black M-A is good because the Monochrom is black? Because they share the same finish? Sure they share the same finish: it''s called economy of scale. It's in no way a sort of special feature.

 

This is one of the weirdest things I have read lately.

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Let's face it: You're not a serious photographer if you don't have a few pre-loaded take up M3 spools in your pocket. That's the way to do it with a M2/M3 and a whole day of shooting agead.

 

You're kidding, right? On a sunny morning I can shoot 4 rolls of film just before work. Extra spools with film pre-attached sounds even more annoying.

 

I love my M3 and only scream "WTF!!" to mself in extreme temperature situations, such as at 20F with borderline frost-bite in my fingers. Anyone who enjoys this isn't a "serious photographer" in my book but rather has some mental issues :eek:

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What do you mean?

 

A Black M-A is good because the Monochrom is black? Because they share the same finish? Sure they share the same finish: it''s called economy of scale. It's in no way a sort of special feature.

 

This is one of the weirdest things I have read lately.

 

Sorry for not being clear.

 

The black on the MM is a very nice matte finish that is akin to a gun metal. I like it very much. You may not.

 

The black matte finish on the MA is very different finish from that of the black on the MP. So, whereas the chrome finish of the MA and MP is the same, the black finishes are different. The black on the MP is really no different than the black on the M7 or M6. The different finish on the MA, therefore, is distinguishable. No Leica film camera has it. So at some level qualifies as "special" (which google defines as 'otherwise different from what is usual").

 

May mean absolultely zero to everyone but me. But since there are live threads out there in which people are sharing with much analysis their lizard and Hermes-colored skins on their film cameres, I figured that my comment regarding the distinguiable characteristic of the matte finish was fair game, and may even be helpful to someone who is unfamilar with the type of finish on the black version.

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The black MA is finished just like the MM and is meant to be the analog version -- on purpose (according to Leica Soho) -- whereas the MP has a black pain finish. The difference aside from the more lacquered look of the MP is that the MP will brass over time, for the MA to get there is will take rubbing through the chrome which is a bit tougher to do.

 

Personally, I could care less and simply wanted the camera in black vs chrome. Chrome has a nice retro look which I can appreciate and enjoy but I wanted an all black camera with no red dot, etc. Simple, sleek, classic -- to me.

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My suspicion is that the MP and M7 may be dropped once Leica deplete stocks of the electronic parts in those cameras.

The M-A being fully mechanical could easily remain in production for another 50 years.

 

This is a very interesting idea. Without inside sales and P&L information it's pretty opaque but I could see M-A replacing the MP. Dropping the M7 is a different thing entirely. S'pose it would hang on M-A sales numbers. Maybe also on availability of BP finish for the M-A. Hmmm.

 

s-a

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You're kidding, right? On a sunny morning I can shoot 4 rolls of film just before work. Extra spools with film pre-attached sounds even more annoying.

 

I love my M3 and only scream "WTF!!" to mself in extreme temperature situations, such as at 20F with borderline frost-bite in my fingers. Anyone who enjoys this isn't a "serious photographer" in my book but rather has some mental issues :eek:

 

Leica seemed to agree with you... :)

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