MP used advice

[tap360]

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Looking at a very nice silver MP, c. 2005 I think so a relatively early model. Private sale.

Weighing up whether to spring for this or a much cheaper M4, M6 or M7 I have also seen. 

any advice on what to look for in the MP, thoughts on current used prices and long term is it worth the c. £1k premium over an M6?

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[wattsy]

7 minutes ago, tap360 said:

is it worth the c. £1k premium over an M6?

From a functional point of view, absolutely not (though some will probably chime in about the improved flare-free VF, etc.). However, as an aesthetic object, the MP is very nice indeed – especially in its black paint guise.

[tap360]

This is chrome with blue leather, looks lovely, but that aside, wondering if £2.5k is a fair price for a 14 year old MP. It had a CLA a couple of years ago it seems but no paperwork.

[ShivaYash]

£2.5k seems about right but personally I’d stick to a normal leather colour. 

That said I paid a lot less for my black paint MP, deals do come up, if you can wait. 

The viewfinder on the MP is better but not by that much. I love my M6s. 

[Ouroboros]

33 minutes ago, tap360 said:

This is chrome with blue leather, looks lovely, but that aside, wondering if £2.5k is a fair price for a 14 year old MP. It had a CLA a couple of years ago it seems but no paperwork.

Both of those points would cause me some concern.

Blue leather is not standard so if not an ALC body, the covering might have been changed by the same person who performed the claimed 'CLA' with no proof of competence.  On the other hand, it might be fine.  You'll only find out after you've parted with your £2.5k. 

Personally, I'd rather spend the money on a nice black lacquer MP from a dealer who can offer a warranty.

[tap360]

It was through ALC. would prefer dealer warranty though for so much money. A mint boxed M4 with box and original papers for £1199 or mint boxed M6 for £1399 both from dealer with warranty are my other options. Prefer the look of the M4, but feel I may need lightmeter. An M7 for £1650 is another option, which is tempting for AE, but I have an M10 so wanted a more manual film experience.

[Pyrogallol]

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My Leica repair man, with 40+ years experience,  says that well used cameras and lenses, when serviced, are more likely to be the best choice than ones that have not been used. Why is a mint boxed camera from the 1960’s still mint and in its box?

[tap360]

Fair point. When I say mint, I just mean cosmetically It’s been looked after.  Much as I love the MP, I think I may pass on this one - thanks for everyone’s thoughts. I have no doubts it is all genuine, but just struggling to justifying paying that much. If I really get into  using film a lot then it could make sense, but right now better to hold back; if it was a bargain price or I felt this was the ‘one’ I might feel differently. 

So now back to M4, M6 or M7....

[tap360]

Fair point. When I say mint, I just mean cosmetically It’s been looked after.  Much as I love the MP, I think I may pass on this one - thanks for everyone’s thoughts. I have no doubts it is all genuine, but just struggling to justifying paying that much. If I really get into  using film a lot then it could make sense, but right now better to hold back; if it was a bargain price or I felt this was the ‘one’ I might feel differently. 

So now back to M4, M6 or M7....

[wattsy]

Of the three you mention, I'd be leaning towards the M4.

Edited June 3, 2019 by wattsy

[Jon Glass]

Are you hoping to retain value so you can potentially re-sell the MP later?  If so, I'm inclined to say pass on this one and go for an M6 in good condition.  The silver/blue custom combo might sell for a good price to someone who also happens to love that choice, but personalized options on consumer goods tend to only be worth a premium to the original purchaser.

If you don't care about re-selling, and you like the silver/blue (I think it sounds nice), then the price is certainly good for an MP.  A quick scan of eBay shows higher prices for silver or black MPs than what your seller is asking...but it also shows a slew of nice-looking M6s that will beat that price.  You could always have the blue replaced if need be, as well...but at a further cost.

I own an MP - I bought used from eBay after reading all the romantic reviews about all-brass build, smooth mechanical goodness, and the last/best Leica film camera to be made hype.  I could've gotten an M6 for half the price.  I refuse to regret the purchase because I love the camera, but I'd be lying if I said I would make the same choice a second time. 

The M6 is, functionally, every bit the camera the MP is for a much lower price tag.  The MP is just sexier, is all.

EDIT:  I'm late to the party and see you've already decided against the blue MP.  The good news is you now get to shop for the perfect M4/M6/M7!  There's a nice chrome M7 currently bid at $1800 USD with 7 hours left...you might watch that one.

Edited June 3, 2019 by Jon Glass

[tap360]

Thanks Jon. Resale is important to me right now in case I just don’t use film much (once past the early romance of new camera etc!) and hence inclined to think M4, M6 or M7 may be a safer bet.  If I do get into film again (and I really want to) then I would look to trade up to an MP as a camera for many many years. Wasn’t looking for an MP, but this one caught my eye (would look great with my silver Summicron).  I do have a 28mm summaron, so ideally would prefer 28mm.  Head says M6 or M7 (one is available locally for £1600) but heart says MP!

[tap360]

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[Jon Glass]

1 hour ago, tap360 said:

Wasn’t looking for an MP, but this one caught my eye (would look great with my silver Summicron).

That's a darn good-looking camera. 

You won't go wrong with any of the choices in front of you, but if I can be allowed to possibly complicate your choices, further - I get the temptation to buy Leica for film, but if you aren't actually sure you're going to want to keep shooting film, have you thought about getting into it with a (much) cheaper alternative?  You can get a working Pentax K1000 and a cheap 50 and get started shooting film for 10% of the cost of an M6, and still recoup most or all of it if you decide you don't like it, or that you do want to fully invest in a film Leica.

A Pentax-M 50mm 1.7 is no Summicron, but it's no slouch either...and it'll cost you a lot less to dip your toe into the film photography pool that way.

[Mute-on]

Whilst I have an MP, M2 and M4 (no M6...), I would suggest you go to a dealer, with your M10 and lenses, so you can compare the film options side-by-side, and with the lenses you intend to use. 

If you want to use the 28 on film, only MP, M7, M6, M4-2 and M4-P have 28mm framelines. 

If you want to use an inbuilt meter, then MP, M6, and M7.

If you want a shutter speed dial that moves the same way as your M10, then M6TTL and M7.

If you want an internal light meter with simpler electronics that are easily repairable (or at least not known to be difficult ($$$$) or impossible to repair), then M6 (non-TTL) or MP. 

Having said all that, if you want to use a 35 or 50mm lens, are prepared to use an external light meter, and want to experience the simplest and purest Leica M ever made, get an M2

[ckuwajima]

28mm lines are not available in .85x finder MP, M7 and M6. 

135mm lines are not available in .58x finder MPs. 

[RayD28]

Since this MP is an ALC, I'm curious to know what other custom features there are besides the blue leather.  The photo does not show the viewfinder magnification.  Not sure if this is common but I'd research to be certain there is no underlying issue.  

 

Edited June 4, 2019 by RayD28

[tap360]

I checked with Leica this morning. No record of ALC being done or CLA in past couple of years.  At the price it doesn't feel quite right.  

Narrowed it down to either: nice example chrome M4 (boxed with certificate) or M7.Although I really wanted a meter, M7 is around £500 more than the M4. 

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[earleygallery]

18 minutes ago, tap360 said:

I checked with Leica this morning. No record of ALC being done or CLA in past couple of years.  At the price it doesn't feel quite right.  

Narrowed it down to either: nice example chrome M4 (boxed with certificate) or M7.Although I really wanted a meter, M7 is around £500 more than the M4. 

Leica would only have record of a CLA if they did the CLA. It may have been done by any number of places, or not at all. 

However, if the seller claimed it was an ALC model, and it isn't, then I'd doubt his claim about a CLA also. Buyer beware!

If you were going to buy it you should make an offer on the basis of allowing for the cost of a CLA and the fact that it's a private sale without warranty. I would also only make such a transaction in person so that you can inspect it yourself rather than relying on someone else's opinion of condition and functionality.

Edited June 4, 2019 by earleygallery

[semi-ambivalent]

1 hour ago, RayD28 said:

The photo does not show the viewfinder magnification.

Good catch. I have read (in this forum) that silvery reflective strip with the printed VF magnification also serves in some manner to displaying the meter lights in the viewfinder.