How old is my M-A?

[jayantony]

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I purchased a used Leica M-A in Black Chrome and am trying to identify its age. Maybe you all can help.

 

Serial number is: 5622418

I also notice the small 'R' next to the rewind release lever is white paint but this 'R' is black on the current product photo in 2023. Does anyone know the year the 'R' started being painted in black instead of white?

Any insights is appreciated.

Edited December 20, 2023 by jayantony

[Borna]

What leather does it have? And the top logo smaller or bigger version? Mp the top logo differs depending age

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[UliWer]

vor 27 Minuten schrieb jayantony:

Serial number is: 5622418

According to the Leica Pocket Book 9th ed. it's from 2020.

Don't all the black cameras have a white "R", while it is black on the chrome models?

[a.noctilux]

We have a lovely thread,

plenty of pictures of the M-A

 

[jayantony]

30 minutes ago, UliWer said:

According to the Leica Pocket Book 9th ed. it's from 2020.

Don't all the black cameras have a white "R", while it is black on the chrome models?

Thanks for helping UliWer, I appreciate your comment. The press picture of the current Leica M-A in Black Chrome (on Leica website) has a black R.

[Vlad Soare]

On 12/20/2023 at 7:11 PM, UliWer said:

According to the Leica Pocket Book 9th ed. it's from 2020.

Strange. My M-A is 5151426 and was built on May 27, 2021.
Don't these serial numbers go up over time?
 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Vlad Soare

[kivis]

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My understanding is that there is no rhythm nor reason about these things. Leica does what Leica does. We have had numerous discussions about things like this issue brought up, as well as the release button (just plain silver versus a silver button with a screw slot). Don't recall any date method to figure this all out.

[a.noctilux]

These cameras are made for many decades use (if not century 🙃 we will see),

so why bother knowing the date of manufacturing, that is only my opinion .

( side note ...the date of packing is noted in the package of M-A in two or three places).

...

As different details not important for picture taking process are important only for non-user I think.

Leica M is not perfect ...

Some of us as users replaced many parts (customization) like wind-on lever or add accessories like softies or rewind crank.

[iPacific]

mine one is 5621888, in black chrome 

it was built on Jan 2022

 

With white "R" letter

and classic lens release button, same as the MP and sliver chrome