logan2z Posted November 14, 2018 Share #641 Posted November 14, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) 39 minutes ago, semi-ambivalent said: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! After missing UPS's attempt to deliver this to my door by a minute, then waiting a day for it to appear at a pick-up business, it's here. A new batch too! Way to go Leica! It has the "ring" under the leatherette around the ISO reminder but it's very very subtle; I had to move it around in raking light to pick it up. I can see no evidence of a battery compartment "cover plate". My thumb thinks there's an edge but I can see nothing. Bayonet is "quicker" than the MP's but there is no slop. The shutter is smoother than my MP was at delivery but sounds about the same right now, with no film loaded. The viewfinder looks brighter than the MP but being five years older it certainly has some fine Rocky Mountain dust inside. The difference is slight but it's there. The 75mm frame lines are just barely little elbows. Not visually intrusive at all. The absence of the void for the meter lights is very noticeable. Nice. The silver chrome is flat out gorgeous. Eventually, there will be a dent. But for now it's perfect. That's a beauty. Good to hear (I guess) that your camera also suffers from "ring around the ISO dial" The evidence is piling up that this is completely normal. I struggled while deciding between the black chrome and black/silver M-A and I have no regrets going with the black chrome, but that black/silver is really beautiful. I did manage to get my black/silver/Leica script fix by buying a black/silver M4, however Enjoy your new camera. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 14, 2018 Posted November 14, 2018 Hi logan2z, Take a look here I love my M-A. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
IkarusJohn Posted November 14, 2018 Share #642 Posted November 14, 2018 (edited) Back of mine - no ridge apparent from what I can see. Similarly, I cannot detect any cover over the battery compartment (assuming that the rumours are correct that this is just an MP with a cover over where the battery would go - not that it matters a jot). Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited November 14, 2018 by IkarusJohn 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236926-i-love-my-m-a/?do=findComment&comment=3631285'>More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted November 14, 2018 Share #643 Posted November 14, 2018 3 hours ago, a.noctilux said: Nice to see new batch of M-A 😊. Allways that semi-"4" on the shutter speed button 😎. If you don't mind, please share the date of manufacturing of this beauty ( or only month/year ). 👍👍 Shoot, I forgot all about that. 2018-10-30. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow_78 Posted November 15, 2018 Share #644 Posted November 15, 2018 17 hours ago, semi-ambivalent said: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! After missing UPS's attempt to deliver this to my door by a minute, then waiting a day for it to appear at a pick-up business, it's here. A new batch too! Way to go Leica! It has the "ring" under the leatherette around the ISO reminder but it's very very subtle; I had to move it around in raking light to pick it up. I can see no evidence of a battery compartment "cover plate". My thumb thinks there's an edge but I can see nothing. Bayonet is "quicker" than the MP's but there is no slop. The shutter is smoother than my MP was at delivery but sounds about the same right now, with no film loaded. The viewfinder looks brighter than the MP but being five years older it certainly has some fine Rocky Mountain dust inside. The difference is slight but it's there. The 75mm frame lines are just barely little elbows. Not visually intrusive at all. The absence of the void for the meter lights is very noticeable. Nice. The silver chrome is flat out gorgeous. Eventually, there will be a dent. But for now it's perfect. I just noticed your serial number is on the top plate instead of the hot shoe. Is that normal now or did you ask for it like that?? Beautiful camera btw!!! 😊 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted November 15, 2018 Share #645 Posted November 15, 2018 On M-A so far, silver chrome has serial number on the top plate like here, black chrome M-A has it's serial number on the rim of hot shoe. Just have a look at pictures of those M-A in previous pages, here. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted November 15, 2018 Share #646 Posted November 15, 2018 On 2/21/2018 at 9:44 PM, maate said: Silver M-A with 35mm summicron iv. Love it! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This one is beautifully equipped with this nice Summicron IV in silver 👌 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted November 15, 2018 Share #647 Posted November 15, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) 37 minutes ago, Yellow_78 said: I just noticed your serial number is on the top plate instead of the hot shoe. Is that normal now or did you ask for it like that?? Beautiful camera btw!!! 😊 Leica being Leica. I suppose it has all to do with engraving on the chrome, either materials issues or visually upsetting the "stealth" aesthetic. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share #648 Posted November 15, 2018 It's good to know that Leica are still making these cameras. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted November 15, 2018 Share #649 Posted November 15, 2018 2 hours ago, wattsy said: It's good to know that Leica are still making these cameras. Yes it is, and I'd be a liar if I said my calculations for buying one did not include thinking 'just in case...'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Geschlecht Posted November 15, 2018 Share #650 Posted November 15, 2018 (edited) 23 hours ago, a.noctilux said: Nice to see new batch of M-A 😊. Allways that semi-"4" on the shutter speed button 😎. If you don't mind, please share the date of manufacturing of this beauty ( or only month/year ). 👍👍 Hello a.noctilux, The reason for the ""semi-"4"" on the shutter speed dial is that the original M3's had a shutter speed progression of 1 - 2 - 5 - 10 - 25 - 50 - etc with a cut out for the meter having its notch in the middle between the 2 and the 5. There was an accompanying pin on the then current Leica Meter that was also placed in the middle between the 2 and the 5. When the shutter was recalibrated to its current 1 - 2 - 4 - 8 - 15 - 30 - 60 - etc, with a lightening bolt or a dot (ie: M5) between the 30 and the 60, the position of the cut out was left where it was on the earlier sequenced models so that earlier Leica Meters would still be usable. Altho the numbers on the earlier Leica Meter dials would not exactly match the shutter speeds set in all circumstances. But the numbers would be close enough and would be interporable. This new number sequence necessitated the partial omission of the 4 in order to properly space the new numbers. By the way, the M5 was the first M Leica that did NOT allow the coupling of the coupled Leica Meters because of the improved positioning and layout of its shutter speed dial. The M5 has the easiest to use and most versatile shutter speed dial/system of any "M" camera. Best Regards, Michael Edited November 15, 2018 by Michael Geschlecht 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon_dragon Posted November 15, 2018 Share #651 Posted November 15, 2018 I didn't realize that the M-A was a meterless film camera till I saw that they had cut the shutter speed dial to allow the use of the Leica MC and MR meters. This was a little shocking. I have an MC meter, and it's accurate, but it's actually easier to just use a Voigtlander VC meter -- though I might be tempted by a modern Leica MR-X meter with modern electronics. Even so, do they really intend for M-A users to use the MC/MR meters? Plus Leica M's last about 2000 years in service. I have 2 M2s which are in perfect shape 60+ years after creation. Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy an M2 or M4? Well don't mind me because I don't understand the M10D either (that's the one without the rear screen right?). Sure is pretty though. When I get that urge though I'll use the M2s. Interestingly, this one has the conventional load and it was my first. My other M2 has the M4 loading system which I saw an advertisement for in this thread (which was pretty cool to see). As you can see, in honor of the notch in the M-A's shutter dial, I mounted the MC meter. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236926-i-love-my-m-a/?do=findComment&comment=3631755'>More sharing options...
pico Posted November 15, 2018 Share #652 Posted November 15, 2018 Quote Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy an M2 or M4? Those cameras (and perhaps the M5) were assembled by hand-fitting parts which means the technicians would file parts to fit when necessary. I do not know if any current factory Leica techs even have such tools. Current practices probably have bins of sightly different dimensioned parts on the bench - find the fit method, for better or worse. I suspect better. Oh, to answer your question: I prefer to find the outlier mildly used M2 or M4 and support the few techs who can refinish the mechanical works. It is most cost effective and enhances the culture of re-usability. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted November 15, 2018 Share #653 Posted November 15, 2018 (edited) On 11/5/2015 at 12:48 AM, a.noctilux said: The trunkated 4 is really the trademark of M-A . Before I buy my chrome M-A, the seller has point that out. That pleased me and I just have bought it for that reason . Seriously, the "4" are complete in dials of all my M4, M4-P, M4-2 with that notch flush. Looking carefully, the "4" click just not really in front with these old M. Odd thing...or mysteries of M-A. I don't understand why the black M-A come with R lever M4 style, and chrome M-A with M2 style. And also the "vulcanite" or leatherette is not the same with black and chrome. The large span of serial number is another mystery for me: 4 915 xxx chrome and 4 697 xxx black. Arnaud On 11/5/2015 at 1:11 AM, Michael Geschlecht said: Hello Arnaud, After looking thru the various models of meterless "M" cameras in the WIKI at the top of this page: It would appear that only the M3 which has the sequence 1/2 sec - 1/4 sec & the M-A have the truncated 1/4 sec. All of the other meterless M's do not have partial "4's". The truncation seems to be somewhat more severe on the M-A than on the M3. As to the other differences you noted: It would appear that Leica has decided on their own "ala carte" program given that the features you noted are pretty much interchangeable among various models. Best Regards, Michael At page 14... Thanks, Hello Michael, we talked about the trunkated "4" ... some three years ago. Time pass very quickly 🙌🎞️📷 Edited November 15, 2018 by a.noctilux 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted November 15, 2018 Share #654 Posted November 15, 2018 (edited) At same page 14 of this thread, we had this "Leicameter MR on M-A" for fun Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! for black also, And then later on VCMeter II is nice to use "one for two" : Edited November 15, 2018 by a.noctilux 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! for black also, And then later on VCMeter II is nice to use "one for two" : ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236926-i-love-my-m-a/?do=findComment&comment=3631798'>More sharing options...
pico Posted November 15, 2018 Share #655 Posted November 15, 2018 Good stuff! Thanks for that. Repeating a caution to others considering the Leica MR meter - so very many are mounted in a way that seriously mars/scratches the top plate. That is entirely avoidable. Look at the underside of the meter. There is a screw to set its level. Properly done the top plate is sparedl 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted November 16, 2018 Share #656 Posted November 16, 2018 a.noctilix, nice wrist straps! What kind? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted November 16, 2018 Share #657 Posted November 16, 2018 M9reno, Wrist straps ? I have no idea, sorry 🤢. Yes they are nice and I used mainly with my old LTM Leica of the '30's. I use some old straps found in my long searches, over time, in second hand markets and "foires matériels photo" (...well known "Bièvres" came first). "No name" straps made by factories long gone. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted November 17, 2018 Share #658 Posted November 17, 2018 Concerning Leicameter, I don't know if this Hammertone M-A with Leicameter was in this thread, so I repeat here this Special Edition for Leica Vienna : M-A Leica Shop Vienna 25 Years Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Photo : Leica Shop Vienna 6 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Photo : Leica Shop Vienna ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/236926-i-love-my-m-a/?do=findComment&comment=3632508'>More sharing options...
Paul Verrips Posted December 7, 2018 Share #659 Posted December 7, 2018 I have a black M-A and now i'm looking for another black M-A for my girlfriend. Finally she is ready to make the switch from Nikon FE to Leica M-A.🤗 Anyone knows a shop in Europe or the Netherlands having a secondhand black M-A for sale? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Verrips Posted December 15, 2018 Share #660 Posted December 15, 2018 On 10/28/2018 at 5:39 AM, Yellow_78 said: Hi all, I just purchased a new Leica M-A and I must admit it is stunning! I got the black chrome version and it looks beautiful. I have an issue though. My copy has a crease in the leathette part that surronds the iso dial. It is a near perfect circle that goes around the whole iso dial. It doesnt look bad but it doesnt look right either. I was just wondering if this is normal?? Do you guys have this as well? Cheers and hope to hear feom u guys soon. I picked up a new M-A for my girlfriend (couldn't find a secondhand) an noticed the same as you discribe. SN 491478X My own M-A has SN. 491418X and hasn't this crease. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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