.85 Leica MA-127

[Linford]

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Will Leica build to order an 0.85 Finder in a Leica MA-127? Thank you—lt

 

[Kreeshp]

I've been researching a similar spec and I've learned from a lot of reading (and by emailing several Leica stores internationally) that it isn't possible any longer to order one custom built to specification.  Leica's a la carte program for such requests ended within the last 3 years.

What some have been able to do recently is to buy an existing M-A or MP and send it back to Leica Wetzlar, with the help of the repair department of Leica New Jersey, to have the camera "repaired" to the desired options, including viewfinder magnification, leatherette changes, top plate swaps, etc.

Not sure of the exact costs and turnaround times, but I've read of some recent examples costing ~$2000+ USD on top of the initial camera purchase while the "repair" work took ~6+ months.

Edited April 8, 2022 by Kreeshp
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[a.noctilux]

As side note, I wanted this 0.85 VF on M-A for a while, but the M-A own 0.72 VF is so nice clear and contrasting for comfortable RF focussing

changed my mind.

In real life use I wanted that 0.85 VF but never had opportunity after selling my 0.85 MP.

Still have the less than "top of the line" M6 HM (x0.85 VF) with 50/75 frames to remind me how nice is M-A's 0.72 😉.

If I remember, in my MP (0.85) VF even the 50 framelines lacks the complete bottom line (not important for many users).

I appreciate the complete frame lines in M-A that I don't want (now) replacing M-A's mask with MP's x0.85.

I'm so used to x0.72 VF that now I'm happy of my choice.

[kivis]

I also am a 0.85 bigot (actually an 0.91 bigot), but I am so pleased with all features of the 0.72 on my M-A OVF that I'm good, real good, even mighty fine.🤪

[davidmknoble]

@Linford, I actually ordered one of the last a-la-carte Leica MP film bodies, as after I ordered it they announced the end of the program. I ordered it through a Leica store and they kept up with Leica AG and while it took a bit, it was done.  So, I have a chrome 0.85 and a black laquer 0.58.  You can find such used bodies, but you will probably not find an M/A with that type of finder.

I agree you can ask Leica NJ if they would do so, but I bet you will almost double the cost of the camera if they say yes.  If you want fully mechanical, you can still use an MP or M6 without a battery.  Let us know if you find you can get the modification.

[Jacobjuul]

Keep in mind that if you get the 0.85 installed in the m-a it will have the light meter cutout in the 35mm framelines and will also have a slightly dimmer (probably not noticeable) viewfinder 

[a.noctilux]

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39 minutes ago, Jacobjuul said:

Keep in mind that if you get the 0.85 installed in the m-a it will have the light meter cutout in the 35mm framelines and will also have a slightly dimmer (probably not noticeable) viewfinder 

I think so IF that VF is taken 100% from MP x0.85.

As I wrote (post #3), my MP x0.85 has also uncomplete bottom frame line on 50  and 35 !

But IF Leica offered x0.85 VF for M-A, new design of mask (complete 50 if they want to bother) could be done easily.

[Jacobjuul]

1 hour ago, a.noctilux said:

I think so IF that VF is taken 100% from MP x0.85.

As I wrote (post #3), my MP x0.85 has also uncomplete bottom frame line on 50  and 35 !

But IF Leica offered x0.85 VF for M-A, new design of mask (complete 50 if they want to bother) could be done easily.

for sure they could offer it in the future, but at the moment the only offer to put in the MP viewfinder

[davidmknoble]

Just a side note, the MP 0.58 is also the same way, with cut-outs for the two largest frames.  Although, for film that really should not be an issue, because a rangefinder isn’t meant to put an important element of an image that close to an edge.  The frame lines are a guide, not an exact image outline.  Similarly, even an SLR typically has a 98% viewing range so it is not a perfect image outline either.  Just thoughts.

[JMF]

On 4/12/2022 at 12:18 PM, Jacobjuul said:

Keep in mind that if you get the 0.85 installed in the m-a it will have the light meter cutout in the 35mm framelines and will also have a slightly dimmer (probably not noticeable) viewfinder 

Hello to all,

I bought  a used 0,72 M-A which came with a 3 frame mask and the 35 mm window bears the light meter cutout .

I decided to have the original M-A  6 frame mask fitted and hopefully will get the camera back tomorrow !

Best,

Jean-Marc

[JMF]

8 hours ago, davidmknoble said:

Just a side note, the MP 0.58 is also the same way, with cut-outs for the two largest frames.  Although, for film that really should not be an issue, because a rangefinder isn’t meant to put an important element of an image that close to an edge.  The frame lines are a guide, not an exact image outline.  Similarly, even an SLR typically has a 98% viewing range so it is not a perfect image outline either.  Just thoughts.

Indeed , my silver 0,58 MP and 0,58 MP  modified M2 have exactly the same frames with the cut outs .

[a.noctilux]

We are all different, so bottom line cut outs or not, this is individual decision.

I think we are lucky to have choice (or non choice such 0.85 vf M-A), but I repeat what I wrote : the M-A viewfinder is such as good as can be that it doesn't

need 0.85 VF or when I fancy (as I have them, used them a lot, in the past ) adding the magnifier x1.25, I do appreciate bigger complete framelines 50 and visible (...minimalist)

four brackets of "75".

[davidmknoble]

15 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

adding the magnifier x1.25

You are so right, I have enjoyed using the 1.4 and 1.25 viewfinder add-ons.  It makes using a 90mm and 135mm much easier to foucs!

[Aryel]

I contacted leica Singapore one year ago. I received the same info as @Kreeshp

They quoted the equivalent of 2k usd. In addition, they wouldn’t return the 0.72 finder (was asking if it could be used to upgrade another camera). They also confirmed that the framelines would be with the light meter cut off from the MP. 

I did not go for it in the end. I am still considering getting a 0.72 at some point but I like the m3 so much that I worry it’d stay on the shelf most of the time.

Hope this helps!

Edited April 16, 2022 by Aryel

[beto]

On 4/8/2022 at 12:57 AM, Linford said:

Will Leica build to order an 0.85 Finder in a Leica MA-127? Thank you—lt

 

it is possible, as all say, but it is a modification Leica make in Wetzlar. I quoted a MP 0.85 at Leica Store Berlin last year and it cost 5995 euros including taxes and a 3 month delay. They would ship it to Wetzlar for the modification. For the MA the cost was the same, but the viewfinder was different, as they clarified to me, quote:
" We can also get an M-A with the viewfinder 0,85. But there is an difference to the MP. The frame of 35mm is not like in the MP. That means you will see the frameline below is not a line. It,s a little bit interrupted. The price for the camera inc. 0,85 is also 5995."-

[Aryel]

1 hour ago, beto said:

it is possible, as all say, but it is a modification Leica make in Wetzlar. I quoted a MP 0.85 at Leica Store Berlin last year and it cost 5995 euros including taxes and a 3 month delay. They would ship it to Wetzlar for the modification. For the MA the cost was the same, but the viewfinder was different, as they clarified to me, quote:
" We can also get an M-A with the viewfinder 0,85. But there is an difference to the MP. The frame of 35mm is not like in the MP. That means you will see the frameline below is not a line. It,s a little bit interrupted. The price for the camera inc. 0,85 is also 5995."-

I think what they meant is that the frameline is interrupted to give space for the metering led of the mp. In other words, they put an mp viewfinder…

Here is a copy paste of their email (about one year old):

Dear Aryel,

Good day to you.

Thank you for your email and patience with us.

Herewith the reply from HQ.

Both viewfinders can be used:

1)      5 frames - 35+135 / 50+75 / 90

2)      4 frames – 35+135 / 50 / 90

 

There is no LED with this camera, this is why the frames 35mm and 50mm will be interrupted on this place.

Thank you and have a great day.

Hope this helps to clarify. 

If you decide to go for it, please share your experience! 

[wizard]

vor 8 Minuten schrieb Aryel:

There is no LED with this camera, this is why the frames 35mm and 50mm will be interrupted on this place.

THAT does not make a lot of sense. One would have expected that, since there is no LED with this camera, the frames 35mm and 50mm will not be interrupted.

It seems that, probably due to manufacturing economy, both the MP and the MA are using the same masks. And since the MP requires the cutout for the LEDs, those cutouts are also present in the MA.

[Aryel]

20 minutes ago, wizard said:

THAT does not make a lot of sense. One would have expected that, since there is no LED with this camera, the frames 35mm and 50mm will not be interrupted.

It seems that, probably due to manufacturing economy, both the MP and the MA are using the same masks. And since the MP requires the cutout for the LEDs, those cutouts are also present in the MA.

I fully agree. Kindly note that the yellow highlighting was from them…

[wattsy]

12 hours ago, wizard said:

THAT does not make a lot of sense. One would have expected that, since there is no LED with this camera, the frames 35mm and 50mm will not be interrupted.

It seems that, probably due to manufacturing economy, both the MP and the MA are using the same masks. And since the MP requires the cutout for the LEDs, those cutouts are also present in the MA.

No, the normal production (0.72x) MP and M-A cameras quite obviously use different frame masks.

The note from Leica quoted above was simply explaining that they don't have masks for the higher mag finder that are designed to be used for the M-A. If they install a 0.85x VF in the M-A they will have to use the masks designed for a 0.85x MP and those masks have cutouts to allow for the metering LEDs – i.e.  the bottom frame line is broken (the "interruption" referred to).

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[wizard]

vor 7 Stunden schrieb wattsy:

No, the normal production (0.72x) MP and M-A cameras quite obviously use different frame masks.

Well, I have neither an MP nor an M-A, just an M3 and M7, so the different masks in the MP and M-A are not obvious to me. Good to know that Leica went the extra mile and did design a dedicated mask for the M-A.