MP vs M-A... my musings and questions

[Csacwp]

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I've almost made up my mind about which new Leica film camera to buy.  I'm interested in either a new (or newer) chrome or black paint MP, or a black chrome M-A.  I mainly shoot 75mm and 90mm lenses but also sometimes shoot 28mm and 50mm.  Therefore, I was initially very interested in the MP .85 finder, although it's proven impossible to find a newer one for sale.  My options therefore are to either:

 

A.  Buy an MP .72 and have the finder swapped to .85.

 

B.  Buy an MP .72 and keep the original finder, using a magnifier if necessary and living with the loss of contrast imposed by it.

 

C.  Buy an M-A in black chrome and keep the .72 finder, using a magnifier if necessary.

 

I plan on shooting a fair amount of slide film, and it is my understanding that a handheld incident meter would be preferable to the MP's TTL reflective meter, so I figure that I don't necessarily need an MP.  The M-A in black chrome is gorgeous.

 

Am I making too big a deal about the ease of focusing 75mm and 90mm lenses with the .85 finder?  Is it really that much more difficult using a .72?  Would a .72 and a magnifier be a reasonable option if I use those two focal lengths most often?

 

The wait for an a la carte MP is too long, and as of now there is no a la carte M-A.  I'm not even sure you can have the M-A finder swapped to the .85 finder if you want, although I know you can have this done to an MP.

 

Thanks for reading, and any advice would be appreciated.  I'm looking for one camera to keep for the rest of my life here and don't want to make a bad decision.

[sblitz]

MA finder is bright, no flare, and easy to focus 90 and 75 ....  I only use the diopter when the 135 goes on ... if you want a manual camera and don't need ttl meter, go for it ... 

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[Michael Hiles]

I have spent most of my life with an M2 which has the .72 finder. I use (with total ease) 50mm mostly, 90mm often, and a 35mm infrequently. I don't have a 28mm. Focusing and viewing was fine for all those lenses. If I were ever to buy a 28mm (unlikely) I would include the external finder. They are very good. I certainly would not change the camera - ever.

[KAD]

I use a MP 0.72 and and M3. The bigger magnification give some benefit, but you easaly fix that with a magnifier.

 

Incicident meter is very good, and I use it with my M3. Just be aware that you need to learn that as well, and it will slow your shooting down. The meeter in the MP is very good, but as all reflective meters you need to think when using it. Both MA and MP will for sure be a good choice.

[Stealth3kpl]

I have two MPs. I'm not so interested in the meter but I can't deny it has been useful at times. I would only change to the MA for the one stage shutter release as per my M2. The MP has a longer two stage shutter release, the meter being activated halfway.

[chrism]

I've bought and sold several MPs and M7s (never mid the digital Ms that have come and gone). I'm happy with an M2 now, which is really a cheaper MA when you think about it. I keep that M2 for the lenses, not for the joy of rangefinders. I think I actually prefer to use an SLR in many ways, but the M2 still gets an outing so I can see the results of those lenses!

[Lux Optima]

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I desperately wanted a Leica MP because I wanted a "new" and absolutely perfect film camera, but after I saw a M3 at my local dealer I changed my mind and wanted a fully mechanical and absolutely perfect camera instead.

 

The M3 has a 0.91x finder. And I have two M3 in the meantime...

 

Someone really has to buy the new cameras to make Leica believe, that there is a growing interest in new film cameras! So, follow your dreams!

 

(But if you love old cameras, too, take any M2,3,4,5... you would love to have :-))

[Sandokan]

With a-la-carte, you can have the 0.85x finder when you order it. And choose the chrome or black paint models.