sleuthin1 Posted January 4, 2015 Share #161 Posted January 4, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Congratulations on your M-A. I've been peaking at them for a few months now on the B&H website; they just became available for purchase. Whereas I'm a digital shooter (M8), I'd like to get into film. Three things are slowing me down from doing so: 1) the M-A's expense; 2) B&W film is expensive to develop in the U.S.; and, 3) I'm not confident enough yet in my photography technique to waste the time and money. Again, congrats! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Hi sleuthin1, Take a look here I love my M-A. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Popular Post DMarc Posted January 4, 2015 Popular Post Share #162 Posted January 4, 2015 Not sure I can "love" a mechanical object but, in the spirit of the forum, I thought I ought to start a new thread for Leica's new film camera. (In truth, I think the M-A is really a variation of the MP rather than a different camera but I suppose Leica would like us to see it differently). It is certainly a handsome camera and, strangely, the M-A also feels a very modern camera. Also scratching my head as to how one can "love" a camera, but same feeling here ;-) It just feels special for some reason... 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! 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share #163 Posted January 4, 2015 I'd like to get into film. Three things are slowing me down from doing so: 1) the M-A's expense; 2) B&W film is expensive to develop in the U.S.; and, 3) I'm not confident enough yet in my photography technique to waste the time and money. Yes, there's no getting away from the price of the M-A but there are many alternatives that are just as good, and not all have the Leica name on them. Even among Leica M film bodies, the differences between the various models are not important – they all handle similarly and use the same lenses. A user M2 can be had for $500 (and if you don't get on with it, can be resold for very little loss). As for the cost of development, if you have a modest amount of space and running water, you can go the DIY route and cost per roll becomes very low. As for lacking the confidence, you'll never know unless you give it a try. Anything worth doing involves time (and usually money) and I'm not sure why you think you'll be wasting either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest digiuser_reloaded Posted January 4, 2015 Share #164 Posted January 4, 2015 .... 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted January 4, 2015 Share #165 Posted January 4, 2015 A user M2 can be had for $500 The M2 is a superb choice. Often a cheaper alternative is the M mount Voigtlander range. I have the R4A and the R2. Both are excellent rangefinders. Pete 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiver Posted January 5, 2015 Share #166 Posted January 5, 2015 The M2 is a superb choice. Often a cheaper alternative is the M mount Voigtlander range. I have the R4A and the R2. Both are excellent rangefinders.Pete And a vote for the now sadly discontinued Zeiss Ikon. Less well built than a Leica, but fortunately lighter to carry. The viewfinder is grand and it's just as slim as the Ms we all love. But enough of me tangenting on the thread. Although I don't have one, I'm pretty sure I would LOVE a M-A. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winedemonium Posted January 5, 2015 Share #167 Posted January 5, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) And a vote for the now sadly discontinued Zeiss Ikon. Less well built than a Leica, but fortunately lighter to carry. The viewfinder is grand and it's just as slim as the Ms we all love. But enough of me tangenting on the thread. Although I don't have one, I'm pretty sure I would LOVE a M-A. My M-mount film cameras are currently slimmed down to a black M-A, and a silver Zeiss Ikon ZM. Both special for quite different reasons. The M-A get's closer to the heart and the Ikon to the brain (if I can reduce it to such a nutshell). 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmr237 Posted January 6, 2015 Share #168 Posted January 6, 2015 For those of you in the US who have purchased a new M-A, can you confirm that it comes with a limited 3 year warranty rather than a Passport warranty? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 6, 2015 Share #169 Posted January 6, 2015 yes, no passport Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted January 6, 2015 Share #170 Posted January 6, 2015 Steve - isn't it a 2 year only Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 6, 2015 Share #171 Posted January 6, 2015 perhaps you are right, i just remember being surprised when opening the box there was nothing to send in for a passport. registered online and that was that. really didn't look into the years. but two years does sound right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmr237 Posted January 7, 2015 Share #172 Posted January 7, 2015 yes, no passport Thanks. I still don't understand why they don't offer the M-A with the passport warranty. Even the new summarit lenses have it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted January 7, 2015 Share #173 Posted January 7, 2015 for some reason, Leica distinguishes between lenses and bodies. But then there is the extended warranty for the MP, which they weren't able to reconcile Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmr237 Posted January 7, 2015 Share #174 Posted January 7, 2015 But then there is the extended warranty for the MP, which they weren't able to reconcile Exactly. I know we've covered it elsewhere, so there's no need to rehash it. But it strikes me as odd that the M7 and MP come with passport plus two year limited warranty (so five years total), whereas the M-A comes with only the two year limited warranty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archiver Posted January 7, 2015 Share #175 Posted January 7, 2015 Exactly. I know we've covered it elsewhere, so there's no need to rehash it. But it strikes me as odd that the M7 and MP come with passport plus two year limited warranty (so five years total), whereas the M-A comes with only the two year limited warranty. Would that perhaps account for the lesser price of the M-A? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole73 Posted January 7, 2015 Share #176 Posted January 7, 2015 Perhaps it´s an indicator for the limited-production-run of the M-A? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted January 7, 2015 Share #177 Posted January 7, 2015 Perhaps it´s an indicator for the limited-production-run of the M-A? Has Leica said anything to this effect, or is it just internet mythology? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 7, 2015 Share #178 Posted January 7, 2015 The lesser price has to do with no electronics, I view the spread between mp and ma is mostly the price of the meter. A limited run? The guys at a Leica store in NYC seem to indicate as much and tell me that the MA will become a collectors item. Essentially, the story is that Leica is testing the water with this run to see what demand is and have no predetermined plan to continue to produce over a few years to see if a market takes hold. To date, more people are still opting for the MP in order to get the meter in the camera for a couple hundred dollars more. I didn't buy the MA to collect, but to use and have all the signs of wear be mine. A luxury I can thankfully afford, the M4 is still a great great camera but the dings and wear belongs to someone(s) else.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticman Posted January 7, 2015 Share #179 Posted January 7, 2015 The guys at a Leica store in NYC seem to indicate as much and tell me that the MA will become a collectors item. Essentially, the story is that Leica is testing the water with this run to see what demand is and have no predetermined plan to continue to produce over a few years to see if a market takes hold... Ok - I tend to take things that dealers say with a very large pinch of salt. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted January 7, 2015 Share #180 Posted January 7, 2015 Agreed, which is why I sprinkled the comments as I did -- their opinion not gospel. Personally, not sure it costs Leica all that much to make the M-A and considering the price it is probably a high margin product for something that is essentially a repackaging of what is already being made. IF they were starting this from scratch, a different story. But, like I said, I could care less if it is collectible or not -- I buy cameras to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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