MP used advice

[plaidshirts]

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On 6/3/2019 at 8:39 AM, tap360 said:

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

Since the price difference is mainly cosmetic, I'd say no.

I got an M6 TTL with MP viewfinder for a surprisingly good deal and, while the prices aren't as low as what I paid, I see many similar cameras for sale.

With all that said, the MP should hold its value for the near future, so you're probably safe with whatever you choose.

[Michael Geschlecht]

8 hours ago, Matlock said:

The M5 was produced from 1971 to 1975 and is an excellent camera. However is was not particularly popular as it did not look much like a Leica and the early two lug models hung vertically from the strap (later models had three lugs which overcame this problem). I have a nearly mint two lug which gives great results (well the it is the lens that matters). I use a Luigi case and strap which enables the camera to be carried normally. In spite of being much larger than other M models it handles well.  

Hello Matlock,

Some people think that part of the reason for the attitude toward the M5 had to do with other aspects that are sometimes not considered:

Like the M3 which was replaced with the M4: The M5 was much more expensive to produce than its replacement was. The replacement first was the previously existent M4 & then came the M4's even lower cost replacement: The M4-2.

The higher cost of production of the M3 range/viewfinder was the majority of the cost difference between the M3's & the M2's. The other differences like the frame counter & the rewind were minor differences.

An M3 have could also been updated like the M2 was: When the updated M2 was reclassified as an M4. But the resultant updated M3 camera would have been more expensive to produce.

At the time of the M5's production at a higher cost than an M4 & the cost of an add on meter: It was clear that Leitz was also in the process of phasing the range/viewfinder camera system out as much as possible & replacing it with its newly introduced Single Lens Reflex camera/lens systems.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited June 5, 2019 by Michael Geschlecht

[earleygallery]

Whilst I forgot to mention the M5 it was the very poor reception and sales of the model that almost caused Leica to end the M line, before the intervention of Leica Canada and a return to the traditional style M camera.

i know the M5 has many fans though.

[Matlock]

3 hours ago, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello Matlock,

Some people think that part of the reason for the attitude toward the M5 had to do with other aspects that are sometimes not considered:

Like the M3 which was replaced with the M4: The M5 was much more expensive to produce than its replacement was. The replacement first was the previously existent M4 & then came the M4's even lower cost replacement: The M4-2.

The higher cost of production of the M3 range/viewfinder was the majority of the cost difference between the M3's & the M2's. The other differences like the frame counter & the rewind were minor differences.

An M3 have could also been updated like the M2 was: When the updated M2 was reclassified as an M4. But the resultant updated M3 camera would have been more expensive to produce.

At the time of the M5's production at a higher cost than an M4 & the cost of an add on meter: It was clear that Leitz was also in the process of phasing the range/viewfinder camera system out as much as possible & replacing it with its newly introduced Single Lens Reflex camera/lens systems.

Best Regards,

Michael

Hello Michael,

All very good points. Thank goodness that the introduction of the M4-2 and, more importantly, the M4-P ensured the continuity of the M series. I now have an M10-D which compares very favourably with it's film siblings.

Best Regards.

[hilm3]

I had an M5 for a few years. I loved the camera at first, but the more I used it, the less I enjoyed it. I kept going back to my M6 I had concurrently. The biggest issues for me were the weight and the meter. Although I like matched needle meters, the M5 had to be metered when in landscape orientation. The manual did not recommend metering in portrait orientation. 

[tap360]

Thanks all for the advice, so I succumbed to the temptation of the used MP in blue leather! Met seller and all seemed genuine, but am assuming it needs a CLA. Got what I feel is  a reasonable price of £2250 in the end.

...now for some shooting with some Tri-X film I have.

any ideas where I can get a decent price CLA?

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[Mute-on]

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Don’t assume it needs a CLA. Did you ask seller for details of who did the last CLA?Even if the seller is unable to provide the paperwork, the repairer may have retained a record.  

I would use it for at least a few months first, checking function of film speeds, light meter (with new silver oxide batteries), flash function, framelines change and are appearing fully, without ghosting. 

If any issues become apparent, then think about a CLA. 

Beautiful MP. My silver 0.58 is an absolute favourite. Enjoy! 

J

[250swb]

1 hour ago, tap360 said:

Met seller and all seemed genuine, but am assuming it needs a CLA. 

.......any ideas where I can get a decent price CLA?

 

Congratulations on your purchase.

As Mute-on has said, 'don't assume it needs a CLA'. Getting a CLA is a bit of a mantra on this forum by way something easy to say that sounds informative, but Leica cameras do not need servicing nearly as much as implied. So just use it first before worrying unnecessarily. I have an MP that I bought new in 2003 and it doesn't need a CLA, and I have an M4-P from 1983 and it still doesn't need a CLA.

[tap360]

Thanks, the chap I bought it off owned it around 2 years and said previous/original owner told him it had a CLA 2/3 years ago, so all may be well. Leica records show it had a maintenance service in 2011, so suspect all may be well.  I see a little dust in viewfinder, but otherwise looks and operates lovely...wait to see pictures of course!

[Matlock]

1 hour ago, 250swb said:

Congratulations on your purchase.

As Mute-on has said, 'don't assume it needs a CLA'. Getting a CLA is a bit of a mantra on this forum by way something easy to say that sounds informative, but Leica cameras do not need servicing nearly as much as implied. So just use it first before worrying unnecessarily. I have an MP that I bought new in 2003 and it doesn't need a CLA, and I have an M4-P from 1983 and it still doesn't need a CLA.

I would second all of that. I sometimes think that it is the owner that needs the CLA. 😊

[wattsy]

Yes, forget the CLA, especially as it has already had one during the lifetime of the camera. Unless the previous owner stored the camera in his greenhouse and/or shot 100 rolls of film a week, the camera will be absolutely fine.

Edited June 6, 2019 by wattsy

[earleygallery]

I'd be more worried about the melting top plate! 

[tap360]

LOL, the joy of iPhone portrait mode!!

[Jon Glass]

8 hours ago, tap360 said:

...so I succumbed to the temptation of the used MP in blue leather! 

Congratulations!  I'd have been happy with that purchase at that price as well.  The blue/silver combo is really attractive.  I agree with the general advice on the CLA too - take it out and shoot a few rolls, see how your results look, and decide then if the camera needs attention.  It's probably going to function perfectly.

[Edgar1920]

Dear Tap

concerning the CLA I can confirm the several last posts: It may be that the camera will work well for 20 years  without any CLA. I have two experiences:

My M2 was serviced in 1997 and until now works perfectly. Even after a nearly 10 year period without being used.

Then I had a M6 from 1995 (if I remember correctly). I did uses it very reflet, maybe 20-30 films in total and also at least 10 years in a drawer. Prior to selling it two years ago (I was infected by the black MP virus) I tested it with some rolls and could not find any issue.

Maybe things change when you use the camera in extreme conditions (very cold or hot). I can imagine that then the precision and/or regularity of the shutter may be inferior to a recently serviced one.

So enjoy it, try it, test it. And maybe you will fall in love with it.

Regards,  Frank