jmr237 Posted November 27, 2014 Share #101 Posted November 27, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I visited the Leica store in Los Angeles today and had a chance to see the black and silver versions of the M-A in person. The staff was generous about letting me spend time comparing both. Make sure to look for Cliff if you stop by. Needless to say, both versions of the M-A are superb in person. I found the ISO reminder to have a nicer fit and finish than I expected. It feels embeded into the camera, as opposed to just being a thin metal ring stamped to the outside. A few other thoughts: The lack of a battery cover goes a long way toward cleaning up the front aesthetics of the camera. The shutter release has a clean feel with no detents. The grip material seems to be the same on both the silver and black versions. Overall fit and finish is excellent and deserving of the Leica name. The screws on the front side of the body are not as conspicuous in person as they appear to be in photos. As others have noted, the lower bar of the 35mm frameline is a single continuous line. The color difference (black vs. silver) makes for very different impressions. The black is beautiful and utilitarian at the same time. I'm having a hard time finding the right words, but there is something very special about the black version. Perhaps bad-ass is the word I'm looking for? It knows what it is and it doesn't have to advertise. It is stealth. I still don't like the silver color of the ISO dial on the black body, but it's not as bad in person as I expected. The silver version is an entirely different animal. It clearly presents itself as "retro camera". There is a subtle sparkle and lustre to the finish. I think the grip material works better with the silver by providing a contrast in color and texture. The engravings on the top plate (Leica name, Wetzlar, etc) are beautifully refined and executed. The overall feel and impression of the silver version is that you are holding the highest and most refined expression of Leica's M3 (other than the M3 itself). In that sense it has a link to history and emotion that makes you pause with awe. I am not set on my decision, but seeing them in person pushed me closer to selling my M6 in favor of an M-A. If I had to choose right now, I would go silver. Edited November 27, 2014 by jmr237 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 27, 2014 Posted November 27, 2014 Hi jmr237, Take a look here I love my M-A. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
A miller Posted November 27, 2014 Share #102 Posted November 27, 2014 very nice summary, thanks for sharing. One other nice practical aspect of the camera over the much older film Ms is that there isn't that much of a frame around the VF window. It is much more like the digital bodies in this respect, although not totally frameless. This makes it easier to wipe the VF window ENTIRELY clean on the go. With my M3, due to the frame around the window (effectively caused by the indentation or insetting of the window into the body), much less of the entire window can be wiped clean without using a Q-tip or a cloth to dig into the corners of the VF window. Subtle, for sure, but for me useful as I tend to have my fingers all over the windows as I am out shooting. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted November 27, 2014 Share #103 Posted November 27, 2014 Unless I am mistaken ( and I frequently am ) the M-A can be ordered a la Carte from February next. However the information I have seen indicates this only applies to the colour of the leather covering and the strap colour. Very strange as both the M7 & MP still have all options available. If I was to treat myself to a ' once in what's left of a lifetime' camera then the M-A with the 35/50/90/135 viewfinder and perhaps a magnification of x.85 would fit the bill. Leica seem to have a pale grey leather available now which could look nice against a silver finish. Of course if Leica aren't willing to include the M-A in the full a la Carte programme then that's just wishful thinking. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share #104 Posted November 27, 2014 [*]The grip material seems to be the same on both the silver and black versions. It was different on the black and silver M-A cameras I compared a few weeks ago. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfbldwn Posted November 28, 2014 Share #105 Posted November 28, 2014 uses the same frame line masks as the meterless MP Classic that I owned. Can't decide if you really meant MP Classic or M6 Classic. Went to Leica's USA-specific website and unlike all the other M cameras, there was no instruction manual available for the M-A (weird & scary) so I couldn't compare framelines from MP/M7 with the new M-A. Saw your later post about grip covers of Black & Silver versions feeling the same to you. Any help? Otherwise, thanks for more info than Leica's own website. Any ideas about recommended temperature range recommended by manufacturer? - dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfbldwn Posted November 28, 2014 Share #106 Posted November 28, 2014 (edited) It was different on the black and silver M-A cameras I compared a few weeks ago. My mistake. Felt different to you. Also, toyed with idea you meant an original MP from the 1950s, but that had no 28mm or 75mm framelines. Edited November 28, 2014 by dfbldwn BB coding Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted November 28, 2014 Share #107 Posted November 28, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Went to Leica's USA-specific website and unlike all the other M cameras, there was no instruction manual available for the M-A (weird & scary) so I couldn't compare framelines from MP/M7 with the new M-A. Compared to my M6, the M-A's 75mm and 135mm lines are significantly diminished. Here is a scan from the manual: 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! 2 Quote 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=2716028'>More sharing options...
wattsy Posted November 28, 2014 Author Share #108 Posted November 28, 2014 Can't decide if you really meant MP Classic or M6 Classic I meant what I wrote – MP Classic. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePioneer Posted November 28, 2014 Share #109 Posted November 28, 2014 Mine is finally on the way. I have had it on order since the day it was announced at Photokina and am thrilled it will finally be here come Tuesday. Considering all the uproar over the M9 and its digital sensor complications, it feels nice to know that the technology and design of this camera is very well proven. I know, when I drop that roll of TriX into the camera, what will be coming out when I develop it. 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfbldwn Posted November 28, 2014 Share #110 Posted November 28, 2014 (edited) @FrozenInTime Your scan answered all questions. Does the M-A manual offer any guidance about recommended temperature range for using the camera? Edited November 28, 2014 by dfbldwn specify recipient to this reply Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
semi-ambivalent Posted November 28, 2014 Share #111 Posted November 28, 2014 @FrozenInTime Your scan answered all questions. Does the M-A manual offer any guidance about recommended temperature range for using the camera? My mechanical film Leicas work well in a range of "frikken freezing" to "too damned hot". You'll want to go in before it does, everything will be fine... s-a 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted November 28, 2014 Share #112 Posted November 28, 2014 Does the M-A manual offer any guidance about recommended temperature range for using the camera? No temperature range is specified, so semi-ambivalent's human endurance based assessment stands. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted November 28, 2014 Share #113 Posted November 28, 2014 What is the black dot directly below the shutter knob and directly underneath where the advance winder rests when it is fully turned back to the left? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted November 28, 2014 Share #114 Posted November 28, 2014 "What is the black dot directly below the shutter knob and directly underneath where the advance winder rests when it is fully turned back to the left?" Shutter slit width adjustment access plug: Camera repair pages 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted November 28, 2014 Share #115 Posted November 28, 2014 Beyond helpful and fascinating. Thanks a million. I thought It might have been a self timer :). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madNbad Posted November 28, 2014 Share #116 Posted November 28, 2014 Beyond helpful and fascinating. Thanks a million. I thought It might have been a self timer :). Then insted of the M-A it would have been an M2R.1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share #117 Posted November 30, 2014 Nothing wrong, except the cable is useless without a tripod, or at least a surface to rest the camera, whereas hand-held the self-timer releases the shutter without your finger jerking the camera. You could always get someone else to trip the shutter (or hold the camera). 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalhairs Posted November 30, 2014 Share #118 Posted November 30, 2014 (edited) From the looks of the black chrome cameras posted thus far, it appears as though Leica has decided to use the rewind release lever and lens release lever from the M7 on the black chrome M-A bodies. That's too bad, as the original look seems more fitting, here: Leica M-A // Leica M // Photography - Leica Camera AG It really seems like the film release lever and frame preview levers should match. Edited November 30, 2014 by animalhairs 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trastevere Posted December 5, 2014 Share #119 Posted December 5, 2014 Is it "double stroke" like the older M3s? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share #120 Posted December 5, 2014 No. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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