Leica MP Serial Number?

[Topsy]

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1 minute ago, 250swb said:

Like I said.

WTF Like you said what?

[250swb]

17 minutes ago, Topsy said:

WTF Like you said what?

You saying you think it's great to have a 50% hit rate buying a second hand Leica. I'd call that a pathetic hit rate, being happy about it is 'odd', so where is the problem, the seller or the buyer....? It's all very well if you want to take a chance, I think maybe many have done it, but taking a chance isn't the same as advising people they automatically need to factor in a CLA, the chance is yours, not a universally determined consequence of buying a second hand Leica.

[Gavbo]

What should I check for when receiving it to make sure it’s flawless? Is not a flawless system from the start but you should check the following items to ensure it's proper functions, some of which will require running a roll and seeing the output.

- Check focus is accurate with your len/s 

- Check metering is correct

- Check shutter speed is accurate

- Visually inspect curtain and backplate contact for any marks or scratches

- The shutter sound should sound clean and crisp

- Inspect dust in viewfinder

No valid advantage to limit search past a certain serial (availability and price), MP list price has gone up by around 40% since initial release in 2003. You are more likely to find a better deal if one purchased earlier on and selling without knowing the current market price! Beware the very early ones are known to gather dust easier in the viewfinder.

Lastly CLA every 5 years is an overkill for most and at the end of the day a tool, not a jewellery. 

Hope this helps. 

Ps. My 1966 Leica M2 has only been serviced maybe once or twice?

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Edited March 6, 2020 by Gavbo

[alexmaturo]

Going back to the original question, in the Leica Pocket Guide by Erwin Puts serial numbers from 4983101 to 4984100 where assigned around the end of 2015, and sometimes production is carried out later so in this case between end of 2015 and 2019... Given the slow pace to which M Film camera sell in these last years, it's no surprise that  the camera of MOLE73 was made at the beginning of 2019. (of that production lot the last 101 pieces begin with 4984).

My Black Paint MP is from 2012, serial number starting with 4414, has been working perfectly so far.

Cheers from Vicenza - Italy ( safely locked in ...)

[mole73]

vor 37 Minuten schrieb alexmaturo:

Going back to the original question, in the Leica Pocket Guide by Erwin Puts serial numbers from 4983101 to 4984100 where assigned around the end of 2015, and sometimes production is carried out later so in this case between end of 2015 and 2019... Given the slow pace to which M Film camera sell in these last years, it's no surprise that  the camera of MOLE73 was made at the beginning of 2019. (of that production lot the last 101 pieces begin with 4984).

My Black Paint MP is from 2012, serial number starting with 4414, has been working perfectly so far.

Cheers from Vicenza - Italy ( safely locked in ...)

Thanks for your investigation, that's very interesting! It declares the fact that some MP´s recently produced carry "older" serial numbers (see my example from February 2019 beginning with 4984) in comparison to say M10´s (current examples beginning with 5300) because of an earlier assignment.

[250swb]

57 minutes ago, mole73 said:

Thanks for your investigation, that's very interesting! It declares the fact that some MP´s recently produced carry "older" serial numbers (see my example from February 2019 beginning with 4984) in comparison to say M10´s (current examples beginning with 5300) because of an earlier assignment.

The already numbered top plates are taken randomly from a bin of top plates, hence Leica serial numbers being traditionally assigned in batches and not incrementally. Given that the manufacture of film cameras is now very slow it isn't surprising that lower numbers can appear much later in the finished article. In the 'hot' cameras such as the M10 the serial number keeping up more or less with sales should also not be surprising.

[RayD28]

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5 hours ago, 250swb said:

The already numbered top plates are taken randomly from a bin of top plates, hence Leica serial numbers being traditionally assigned in batches and not incrementally. Given that the manufacture of film cameras is now very slow it isn't surprising that lower numbers can appear much later in the finished article. In the 'hot' cameras such as the M10 the serial number keeping up more or less with sales should also not be surprising.

Good info.  Thanks for sharing.

[gabrielaszalos]

Simply email Leica with the serial number and they will tell you when it was produced. Any store can do it. 

About CLAs, if they would be needed, Leica would put that in the maintenance section of the manual, but they didn’t. You don’t need to take your camera into service unless there is a problem. 

[BradS]

On 4/11/2020 at 10:04 PM, gabrielaszalos said:

— snip —

About CLAs........You don’t need to take your camera into service unless there is a problem. 

This is exactly what any honest repair technician will tell you. Same goes for fine mechanical watches in my experience. 
 

The idea that a Leica needs to be serviced every four or five years is ludicrous. 

[GeoffC]

On 3/4/2020 at 10:24 AM, Pelesit said:

Hello,

 

I’m looking to buy a used MP with the serial number starting with 4983. Does anyone know which year it might be from?

Also, I read about issues with the MP, are there any I should be aware of? What should I check for when receiving it to make sure it’s flawless?

 

thanks 

I've had an MP bought new in 2006. A new Leica (at least then) is covered for 5 years for accidental damage as well as defects. Mine was dropped (user error) and needed to go back to Leica, came back (eventually) fixed for free. No problems before or after. Utterly reliable. I'm now thinking of buying another to replace my M3s. Looking at s'hand prices (few and far between) they are not much below new cameras. If you get a good price on it its worth it but how much do you value a 5-year guarantee? I'll buy new.

[johntobias]

+1  used vs new...I looked and looked and though I could have saved a few hundred, I went for a new one, that way I got full warranty, absolute newness and the finish I wanted (black paint)   MPs are reasonably priced new compared to the silly costs of used film cameras (2.5K for a good M6)

 

For what its worth, Mine was made October 2000 and has ser no 5586XXX

 

Just get a new one !  you'll never regret it !

 

[logan2z]

3 hours ago, johntobias said:

MPs are reasonably priced new compared to the silly costs of used film cameras (2.5K for a good M6)

Most M6s I've seen recently are over $3K.  A new MP certainly starts to make sense at that point. 

Edited March 22, 2021 by logan2z

[johntobias]

3 minutes ago, logan2z said:

Most M6s I've seen recently are over $3K.  A new MP certainly starts to make sense at that point. 

oops, meant GBP £££

 

 

[logan2z]

4 minutes ago, johntobias said:

oops, meant GBP £££

 

 

Ahh, I incorrectly assumed $. The argument still holds 😀

Edited March 22, 2021 by logan2z

[johntobias]

£-$ rate is always a bit variable...what kills it for us Scots (and everyone else in the UK) is the tax and duty that adds 25% to anything we import ourselves...My MP cost me £4000 in UK from an authorised dealer...at todays rates that would be $5.5K 

[logan2z]

11 minutes ago, johntobias said:

£-$ rate is always a bit variable...what kills it for us Scots (and everyone else in the UK) is the tax and duty that adds 25% to anything we import ourselves...My MP cost me £4000 in UK from an authorised dealer...at todays rates that would be $5.5K 

That's about right.  As of April 1, the price of the MP in the US will be $5395.  Currently it's $5295. 

[johntobias]

15 minutes ago, logan2z said:

That's about right.  As of April 1, the price of the MP in the US will be $5395.  Currently it's $5295. 

Still a bargain compared to these M10 pocket computers!

ha ha ha 

[logan2z]

12 minutes ago, johntobias said:

Still a bargain compared to these M10 pocket computers!

True.  The M10-R is going up to $8995!

[johntobias]

32 minutes ago, logan2z said:

True.  The M10-R is going up to $8995!

and 2 yrs from now it will be worth half that when the M11 drops !...MP's will still be prized!!.....as always, invest in the glass, it lasts a lifetime! (and more ! :-)  )

 

 

 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[RayD28]

$8,995!  And people wonder why old film M's are increasing in price.