Review: Leica M-A (Typ 127)

[wattsy]

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Allen look at this link:

http://www.schouten-select.com/index.php/Leica-M3/1411081-Leica-M3-Single-Stroke-Black-Paint-Set-Box-Ultra-Rare.html

Henry

 

Interesting that Schouten describe the camera as "mint". It looks in very fine condition for the age but it is hardly mint. There hardly seems any point in having a grading system if everything from a bit-scabby to decent is described as mint or mint- condition.

Edited May 4, 2015 by wattsy

[K-Photo]

I tested it, with a shutter speed testing device and it works fine

There is one thing I do not understand. If the manufacturer says that only the one stops on the shutter dial have to be used, they will have reason for that and I do not think that they are saying this just to get users upset.

 

If the camera will have one day a problem with shutter during the warranty time, will you state that you've used the intermediates as regular shutter speeds even with manual stating not to do so?

 

So what is the point of using the intermediates?

[Cuthbert]

I bought a new Land Rover Defender. Didn't offer a lot more than a used one but as I bought it for life I prefer to know the story behind every single scratch. One of the reasons the M-A is on my list.

As I use my cameras, I'm not interested in paying a premium for an unused M3 myself.

 

I work for JLR: the Defender has been quietly upgraded by people like me for the last 60 years, just go to Gaydon and have a look at HUE 166.

 

 

If everybody would think this way, how would you ever get a used one if nobody buys a new one? :-)

 

I can understand everybody who buys a used film Leica like M3, M2, etc..., but I can understand on the other hand that someone wants to buy something new. Simply for the reason that it is new and he/she will be the first who is using it.

 

That is why I enjoyed my M3 and just bought a new MP.

 

Jochen

 

 

While people are obsessed by buying something something new if it's the same as the old one? IMO a mechanical rangefinder can be improved in many different directions.

 

 

So what is the point of using the intermediates?

 

If the shutter is really stepless like the Nikon F2 and the Leica M5 you can use the camera in "manual" aperture priority: you set up the desired aperture and if you have a TTL lightmeter you can turn the shutter speed dial until the exposure is 100% correct.

 

Of course if you don't have a TTL lightmeter this feature is totally useless.

 

Edited May 4, 2015 by Cuthbert

[tookaphotoof]

I really hope you really weren't involved in development yourself Cutberth. I had to redesign the rear so people could really sit a bit more comfortable, had to replace 2 leaking blinking lights and a rear light unit because of the same problem. The chassis rusts from day one as JLR refused to add a couple of pounds for galvanising the chassis. Got a new front bumper because the rust within half a year was beyond normal. I fixed my own floorpanel in the rear because only 3! schrews were correctly fitted. My roof had been leaking for 6 months before it got fixed. Held it for a year, now having goldfish swimming in the footwells again after heavy rain. New clutch because of rattly springs, starting to play up again. Panel got resprayed because of rust from day one. 

It is know the lightswitch can get fried because of a faulty design in wiring. Mind you, the wiring behind the binnacle isn't always matching with the the wiring scheme. The indicator stalk has a mind of it's own and after they fixed it after a year it now is starting to play up again. Now also in the process sorting out if the car needs a recall because of a possible oil pressure failure. 

Still love my Defender but for things like the leaking roof and lights, I now stopped dropping the car off at the dealer to fix it myself. 

 

But I can tell you this, the M-A costs a fair bit less than a Defender (at least in Holland ), the viewfinder is a a lot better than the M6 and I bet it doesn't have that many faults, so totally worth its money to me. 

[jip]

There is no reason why you want to use intermediate speeds, but it works on any mechanical M, and I see no reason why it would damage your camera. 

[A miller]

I sold my Defender (or "LR3", in the US) on Ebay after a year.  Nice car but didn't need it.

 

As for the comparison of the M-A to an old M3 or M4 - there isn't one - for the simple reason that the brightness and contrastiness of the VF is on a totally different level to those old cameras.  I think that a better reference point is a used MP, which can be purchased for about half the price of an M-A.  Exactly the same camera and you even get a meter!

[tookaphotoof]

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Actually not a bad idea Adam. Upgrading the viewfinder of my M6 isn't cheap. Selling it and buying a used but pristine looking MP could save me enough for a few city trips for photography. [emoji3]

[A miller]

I don't see how you can go wrong with a ex/mint- MP.  The last I checked there are a lot of candidates out there.  Let me know once you book your flight to NYC....

[K-Photo]

There is no reason why you want to use intermediate speeds, but it works on any mechanical M, and I see no reason why it would damage your camera. 

 

Maybe you can explain this, Leica M-A manual, page 35:

 

 

SHUTTER SPEED DIAL

The shutter speed dial on the Leica M-A can be used to select shutter speeds from 1/1000s to 1s, or for the sync time 1/50s for flash mode. In the B position, the shutter remains open for long exposures as long as the shutter release is pressed. All positions can be felt click into place, none of them are locked.

Notes:

• Intermediate values may not be used.

[Cuthbert]

I really hope you really weren't involved in development yourself Cutberth. I had to redesign the rear so people could really sit a bit more comfortable, had to replace 2 leaking blinking lights and a rear light unit because of the same problem. The chassis rusts from day one as JLR refused to add a couple of pounds for galvanising the chassis. Got a new front bumper because the rust within half a year was beyond normal. I fixed my own floorpanel in the rear because only 3! schrews were correctly fitted. My roof had been leaking for 6 months before it got fixed. Held it for a year, now having goldfish swimming in the footwells again after heavy rain. New clutch because of rattly springs, starting to play up again. Panel got resprayed because of rust from day one. 

It is know the lightswitch can get fried because of a faulty design in wiring. Mind you, the wiring behind the binnacle isn't always matching with the the wiring scheme. The indicator stalk has a mind of it's own and after they fixed it after a year it now is starting to play up again. Now also in the process sorting out if the car needs a recall because of a possible oil pressure failure. 

Still love my Defender but for things like the leaking roof and lights, I now stopped dropping the car off at the dealer to fix it myself.  

 

Which year? The older they are the more junk they were....then that you had no room in the rear sounds a little strange to me, especially if it's a 110 or a 130 wheelbase.

 

For me, I was involved in the autobiography:

 

http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/car-leasing-news/land-rover-celebrates-defender-with-limited-editions/

 

I can assure you it doesn't leak.

[Cuthbert]

I sold my Defender (or "LR3", in the US) on Ebay after a year.  Nice car but didn't need it.

 

You don't need a Defender in NY...unless youre' HIM:

 

[friedeye]

Nice review, Jip. Like your website, your mind-set,  and the photos very much. I can certainly understand the lure of the M-A, but am perfectly content with my silky M2 and M3 - both fresh from CLA's and looking and performing as new.

 

Each camera, including CLA, cost me about $750. And there's a certain joy in that. Not financial, although that's nice. I feel like I've helped preserve wonderful cameras that, neglected, would've been thrown away. Now, they can be used by my children. And maybe their kids - I already have a grandson.

 

The argument to that is, if you can afford it, you should support Leica for making these fantastic film cameras by buying them new. I kind of like that idea, as well. And you're right - a new M-A will last many many years after the type 240 is forgotten. Or a curiosity on my grandson's shelf.

[jip]

Maybe you can explain this, Leica M-A manual, page 35:

Well Leica claims more in their manuals that is not always true, like they say we can't mount collapsible lenses. Or at least they claim you can't collapse them. But the Elmar 50mm 2.8 from 1960 I have is collapsible and safely so on M8/M9/M240.

[jip]

Nice review, Jip. Like your website, your mind-set, and the photos very much.

Thanks a lot!

 

Each camera, including CLA, cost me about $750. And there's a certain joy in that. Not financial, although that's nice. I feel like I've helped preserve wonderful cameras that, neglected, would've been thrown away. Now, they can be used by my children. And maybe their kids - I already have a grandson.

You are right here too, keeping older cameras running is also a good thing and would fit my budget more too. I'm only 22 you see and I don't have money laying around to just buy a M-A especially if I can buy a MP or M6 for example for quite a bit less.

[tookaphotoof]

Jip, I don't think it's going to ruin your camera. At the same time, I don't see why I would want to experiment with it as in combination of latitude of film and the half stops aperture ring, it should be sufficient to only use the shutter speed dial as it's supposed to be used. 

 

 

 

Which year? The older they are the more junk they were....then that you had no room in the rear sounds a little strange to me, especially if it's a 110 or a 130 wheelbase.

 

For me, I was involved in the autobiography:

 

http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/car-leasing-news/land-rover-celebrates-defender-with-limited-editions/

 

I can assure you it doesn't leak.

 

March 2013. It's not strange at all about the rear space as JLR puts a standard rear seat from the 110 in it whilst you have less space in the cabin. It's too bulky so they have to use brackets to fix the seat back in a vertical position. Very uncomfortable, even for journeys longer than half an hour.

You simply cannot guarantee a roof isn't going to leak. Some won't, some will. Fact. It consists of two panels bonded together, more often than not put on the car under stress. Mine wasn't done correctly, cracked and there you go, fishbowl on wheels. JLR told me they never heard of the problem, even though I knew a couple of others with the same problem.

Maybe you also want to guarantee aircon now works as its supposed too? Mine has been replaced, still isn't as it should be. I gave up.

Don't think for a moment I'm bashing you or JLR. Mine and many other Defenders have flaws, that's probably why we like this version.

Feel free to send a pm if you like, as in this thread it is completely off topic. I'm out for now respraying the rusty bumper brackets myself (no joke btw). 

Sorry for that Jip.

 

[Cuthbert]

 

The argument to that is, if you can afford it, you should support Leica for making these fantastic film cameras by buying them new. I kind of like that idea, as well. And you're right - a new M-A will last many many years after the type 240 is forgotten. Or a curiosity on my grandson's shelf.

 

I would be pleased to support Leica and ANY maker of film cameras today (I think just Cosina still makes SLRs today) but I would also like to have something more than a re-engineered M3: what about something like the M-A with a 1:1 viewfinder, 1/2000s shutter top speed and a spot lightmeter like the one the M5 uses? 

[rjans]

I would be pleased to support Leica and ANY maker of film cameras today (I think just Cosina still makes SLRs today) but I would also like to have something more than a re-engineered M3: what about something like the M-A with a 1:1 viewfinder, 1/2000s shutter top speed and a spot lightmeter like the one the M5 uses? 

I don't know if Cosina still makes SLR's but they still manufacture rangefinders in 35 mm, the Voigthländer Bessa R2M, R3M and R4M. They discontinued the A- types with aperture priority. The R3M has a 1:1 viewfinder and 1/2000 shutter top speed. But the build quality, although not bad, cannot be compared with a Leica M series.

 

Best

[Cuthbert]

AFAIK they still manufacture the FM10 for Nikon, regarding the Bessas, they are capable cameras but...a little bit on the UGLY side for me.

 

The Zeiss Ikon was also capable but not the top of styling IMO, Cosina should hire an Italian design engineer to do the job properly.

[semi-ambivalent]

Cosina should hire an Italian design engineer to do the job properly.

That was Nikon's choice for the F3.

 

s-a

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[wattsy]

Wasn't the Hasselblad Lunar the product of a collaboration with an Italian camera designer? (Talking of Hasselblad, the H5X is fully compatible with the H film backs so arguably counts as a film SLR still being manufactured.)

Edited May 5, 2015 by wattsy