BjarniM Posted January 3, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 3, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm about to buy a factory new film Leica, and my choices are Leica MP and Leica M-A, and one thing, that could help me make the decision, is how bright the viewfinder is. I know of the difference between the two cameras, so my only concern, prior to buying, is the viewfinder, since i find mine (Leica M6) to be a bit to dim in certain situations, and annoying when flaring. Does anyone in the forum know how the viewfinders of the MP and M-A are compared side by side? Which camera has a brighter viewfinder? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Hi BjarniM, Take a look here MP vs. M-A: Which viewfinder is better?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
a.noctilux Posted January 3, 2015 Share #2 Posted January 3, 2015 No worry. When new, I compared everything from the M-A to my not so new MP 0.72. In respect of viewfinder the two is same if bottom line frame not counted (for 28 and 35mm). Flare not present and M-A contrast has less (of very small amount) flare in the patch, when light (... spot lamp in example) come from left-top side. But this do not disturb fine focussing at all. That's all for the best viewfinder of the best viewfinder on earth. Arnaud Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmr237 Posted January 4, 2015 Share #3 Posted January 4, 2015 I'm pretty sure the MP and M-A have identical finders. Leica has not said anything about the M-A having a different finder. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole73 Posted January 6, 2015 Share #4 Posted January 6, 2015 They are identical. The M-A has the "MP-finder". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePioneer Posted January 17, 2015 Share #5 Posted January 17, 2015 They are identical. The M-A has the "MP-finder". Though it seems a lot better on the M-A because it has no exposure information taking up space at the bottom. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 17, 2015 Share #6 Posted January 17, 2015 Though it seems a lot better on the M-A because it has no exposure information taking up space at the bottom. Yes! I wish there were a way to temporarily shut off the viewfinder display. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
honcho Posted January 18, 2015 Share #7 Posted January 18, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes! I wish there were a way to temporarily shut off the viewfinder display.. Close your eye. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indergaard Posted February 20, 2015 Share #8 Posted February 20, 2015 Though it seems a lot better on the M-A because it has no exposure information taking up space at the bottom. Taking the battery out of the MP would solve that "problem". The framelines aren't that accurate in the first place, so the small piece of the frameline that is missing shouldn't really affect your framing at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted February 20, 2015 Share #9 Posted February 20, 2015 so the small piece of the frameline that is missing shouldn't really affect your framing at all. That's true (and I typically frame fairly subconsciously anyway) but, given the choice, I do prefer the meterless 'full' frameline view of the M-A (or pre-M6 bodies) over that of the MP (with or without batteries). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winedemonium Posted February 25, 2015 Share #10 Posted February 25, 2015 I can't tell the difference in viewfinder between my M-A and an MP. Both are superb (and ostensibly identical). I would imagine that if anything has been updated in the viewfinder for the M-A since the MP was launched 13 or so years ago (tweaking coatings maybe?), then that update would be identical between any new M-A or MP. As someone who likes to shoot 28mm, I really appreciate the unobstructed frame line for the 28mm in the M-A. But I agree with what others have said on that subject. It's a minor if negligible consideration as most of the frame line is visible for 28mm on the MP (and if wide is your thing, have a look out for the 0.58 units floating around in the market used). My reasons for buying the M-A over the MP were really - 1. Aesthetic. I think the black chrome M-A is a fantastic looking example of the film M. 2. I liked the idea of an all mechanical camera that is brand new. 3. Thought that learning to meter by eye (+ iPhone!) might be fun. (When I really want aperture priority I take a digital M) I think all four of the current offerings (MP black / chrome, M-A black, chrome) look great and offer superlative quality (though in absolute terms, personally I think the finish on the M-A is an improvement over the MP). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
indergaard Posted February 25, 2015 Share #11 Posted February 25, 2015 I'm currently looking into buying a new or demo used Leica MP 0.72 black paint. I considered the M-A for a while, too, but after comparing the black paint MP to the black M-A I'm sold on the MP. For me, the MP is a much more beautiful and classic looking camera. The only thing I don't like as much on the MP is the sharkskin leatherette, as it looks kind of "gray". But that can be changed. The viewfinders was just as good on both. The meter is nice to have built-in. I have an old SLR from the '70s that you can't get batteries for any more (mercury) so I've used it without a meter a lot. And it is not a process I enjoy. Guesstimating works OK most of the time, which can also be done on the MP as unless I really need to meter I don't look at the meter info in the viewfinder at all, and it's not distracting for me at all. But for the times that I want a good exposure and need to meter, fumbling around with my phone or an external meter is a chore that I really don't enjoy., especially when I'm out walking. So in that regard the MP wins. To my eyes it's also the more beautiful camera thanks to the black paint finish. A finish that makes my black M240 and previous MM look like dull pieces of plastic compared. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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