To get an MP or not?

[SocialKonstruct]

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On 9/4/2019 at 6:17 AM, twogun said:

The M6TTL light meter repairability has always been a conflicting thought in my head.

 

Why can’t Leica fix broken light meters?

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[jaapv]

No parts.

[Mute-on]

4 hours ago, SocialKonstruct said:

 

Why can’t Leica fix broken light meters?

 

23 minutes ago, jaapv said:

No parts.

Not all light meters, but at least the circuit board in the M6 TTL (that carries the TTL flash circuit and presumably the light meter circuit). 

Ths light meter circuit in the MP is still available as it is a current production camera. The M7 electronics are also intended to be available for 10 years after M7 production ended. 

[jaapv]

Ah yes, I see we are talking about the M6TTL here not the M6. Different cameras.

[SocialKonstruct]

8 hours ago, Mute-on said:

 

Not all light meters, but at least the circuit board in the M6 TTL (that carries the TTL flash circuit and presumably the light meter circuit). 

Ths light meter circuit in the MP is still available as it is a current production camera. The M7 electronics are also intended to be available for 10 years after M7 production ended. 

 

Tis a pity... of course ten years is a rather long time too and it is wonderful to see the M8 lasting a long time.

[Hahn]

On 9/4/2019 at 5:59 PM, a.noctilux said:

I've "replaced " all used M with two new M-A .

That said the Black Chrome M4 is the smoothest in use.

Not yours ?

As time goes by, using them along without preference, I'm happy keeping M4.

I prefer the articulated plastic wind-on and rewind crank of M4 😉

it seems actually what I am trying now 😜 2 new M-A than vintage film bodies,

sliver for colour films (ordered), black for b/w (own)

I know I am not that logical but it's about your hobbies and I think they are often faraway to be reasonable.  

Edited March 17, 2021 by Hahn

[logan2z]

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I've been seriously considering buying a black paint MP for a while.  I've got a black chrome M-A and a silver chrome M4 so I'm equally split between new and vintage. 

I certainly don't need another film body, but I love the black paint finish (difficult to come by on vintage cameras) and a little voice in the back of my head keeps wondering how long Leica will continue to produce film cameras (hopefully a very long time). 

The one thing that gives me pause is the meter.  I don't really care about it and future parts availability is certainly not guaranteed. 

I really wish Leica would make a BP M-A.  Hard to understand why they don't.  

[wattsy]

3 hours ago, logan2z said:

I really wish Leica would make a BP M-A.  Hard to understand why they don't.  

It may be simply that they have a number of year's supply of black chrome parts (or even completed bodies) to get through before they think about other finishes. It might just be doggedness on the part of the chief product designer. As a previous owner of a black paint MP (in fact I've owned one twice) and the fortunate current owner of a black paint M-A, I can honestly say that the latter doesn't work aesthetically as well as the MP does. It's still nice (especially in tactile terms) but it lacks the silver shutter release ring, the white Leica script and the original bathmat/sharkskin leather covering which all help make the black paint MP the absolute design classic that it is. For what it's worth, my advice re: BP MP is don't get one if you will likely be bothered by the existence of the meter. Of course, you can take the batteries out (as people here tediously advise whenever the comparison is made between MP and M-A) but you are left with half-arsed framelines, an arguably less sensitive shutter release and, if you are like me, a lingering sense that you are doing something "wrong"😀. As much as I liked the MP and other modern film M cameras like the M7, since I have got used to the meterless simplicity of the M-A, there is no going back for me.

Of course, if I had the kind of money that some people here have I'd buy a black paint MP just to look at and fondle a few times. That might be a satisfying use of £4k but I know that I wouldn't enjoy using it as much as I do my M-As.

Edited March 17, 2021 by wattsy

[logan2z]

18 hours ago, wattsy said:

and the fortunate current owner of a black paint M-A

How did you manage to get a black paint M-A?  Did Leica ever produce them as part of the A La Carte program?

[newtoleica]

I have a beautiful Black Paint M6TTL Millennium (its essentially like an MP but with the M6TTL style larger shutter dial). A limited edition of 2000 and a simply lovely mechanical camera. I've had it a month and I love it, except I just don't get on with the exposure meter. I've had it checked and all is in spec, readings, speeds etc, so its me not the camera. I'm used to using an Olympus OM4Ti for film with its multi spot system and also have an M7 which is fine, but with the 6 I get inconsistent exposures that make for a lot more darkroom work. I know I could 'work harder at it' but that's not what I enjoy artistically - so the Millennium will have to be sold on. Will be listing it here and other places next week.

[wattsy]

4 hours ago, logan2z said:

How did you manage to get a black paint M-A?  Did Leica ever produce them as part of the A La Carte program?

It wasn't à la carte. I asked the right person at Leica who was very kind enough to oblige. This was back in 2015 (I think).

[wattsy]

32 minutes ago, newtoleica said:

 I just don't get on with the exposure meter. I've had it checked and all is in spec, readings, speeds etc, so its me not the camera. ...

and also have an M7 which is fine, but with the 6 I get inconsistent exposures that make for a lot more darkroom work. I

That's a shame. It's interesting that you get on well with the M7 but not the M6TTL, Brendan. As I'm sure you know, they both use essentially the same metering system, it's just that one has an AE option (and in-between shutter speeds). Is it that the absence of the AE functionality in the M6TTL that is making the difference for you?

[a.noctilux]

Asking the right person is the key.

Leica is a "traditional company" (maybe) small enough to "try out" some customer suggestions.

Maybe a hide reason to make Limited Edition if the trying is succesfull.

One example, this prestigious "DDD"

M3D

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[wattsy]

8 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

One example, this prestigious "DDD"

M3D

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

What I like about that DDD 'edition' is how obviously it was cobbled together from leftover parts from other editions. You can almost play a game of what part comes from which previously released camera. There are parts from the LHSA MP3, the M-A, the MP Classic, etc. The only newly machined part appears to be the metal lever used as a focussing tab.

[Ouroboros]

7 hours ago, wattsy said:

.......The only newly machined part appears to be the metal lever used as a focussing tab.

That’s prestige for you. 

[twogun]

Hi I am the OP for this thread and just revisited my last comments below from 2019. I will be honest and say that could never shake off the idea of owning an MP. A year and half after this post I eventually added a used (a la carte) Leica MP .58x (Silver) and a Leica M5 to my collection. I'm also grateful that I have managed to still hold on to my other Leica M bodies. 

 

Posted September 19, 2019 (edited)

First - once again thanks everyone for the feedback and responses. After deliberating, reading thru all the comments and selling my M4 Black Chrome to fund the purchase for an MP - I finally made a decision but decided NOT to go with the MP......instead I used the funds to get a (2nd) Leica M6 -with  a used 35mm Summicron ASPH v1 . I already have an M6 TTL (.058) with a 28mm summicron. The M6 Classic Chrome is  in 9/10 condition and happy for now that I can mitigate my irrational "need" for the MP . I feel like I have both of best worlds here with both 28/35 focal lengths. this should hold me over before the next GAS attack

 

Edited March 18, 2021 by twogun

[newtoleica]

9 hours ago, wattsy said:

That's a shame. It's interesting that you get on well with the M7 but not the M6TTL, Brendan. As I'm sure you know, they both use essentially the same metering system, it's just that one has an AE option (and in-between shutter speeds). Is it that the absence of the AE functionality in the M6TTL that is making the difference for you?

Yes, primarily I suspect the in-between shutter speeds. An OM4Ti or M7 film comes out with very even exposures across the frames. I know how to expose for highlight/shadow etc and will use either a point/lock technique on the Leica or a series of targeted spots on the OM. I think what happens on the M6 is that a its never fully centered so its one way or the other unless I go for half clicks on the aperture as well (which is too much faff when shooting), or its drifted off slightly and I haven't noticed as I've been concentrating on the image. Being absorbed in street photography and not having AE don't seem to suit me. Yes I know they are probably 'within latitude' for printing but I like to lock in and be able to get a pretty good guess on printing without test strips from frame to frame (usually only needing perhaps one more sheet if I've misjudged the dodging/burning). Having to account for exposure variation as well is a pain.

[Alan Siqueira]

About the M6 TTL, just receive a e-mail from leica:

"Hi Alan,

 

I checked with the Leica shop and unfortunately light meter repairs are no longer available for the M6TTL and a meter assembly from a different model cannot be retrofitted.

Kind regards

 

Mark Brady"

 

 

Edited March 19, 2021 by Alan Siqueira

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[giannis]

On 3/18/2021 at 6:53 AM, logan2z said:

How did you manage to get a black paint M-A?

Btw stripping the chrome is a simple process, usually a chromic acid/sulphuric acid solution and a DC source (like a car battery), and the chrome sticks right off and very cleanly (it's how it's applied as well, in reverse). Then you end up with very clean brass, that you can paint any colour you like. 

I believe any carshop/rim shop will do it for you for $50. Finally some white modelling paint and a microfibre cloth and brush for applying white paint if needed in smaller parts. Personally it makes much more sense to me for a user camera that you just like it to be in X colour. Personally I couldn't bring myself to pay 50% higher price, or even double price, for a different colour scheme.

[logan2z]

7 hours ago, giannis said:. 

I believe any carshop/rim shop will do it for you for $50.

Not to sound disrespectful, but are you crazy? 

If I was going to strip the chrome off my M-A and paint it I'd leave it to someone like Cameraworks in the UK or Kanto Camera in Japan, they are specialists in doing these conversions.