M6 or MP, that's the question.

[WvE]

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I want to start shooting more film, next to digital. I would prefer to buy the M6 (reissue) or the MP but I find it difficult to decide between the two. I guess they are basically the same (internally). Are there any arguments in favor of the M6 or the MP other than looks?    

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[shirubadanieru]

Looks and usability (which kind of rewind lever you prefer etc.) + body finish (BC VS Silver or BP). Other than that, pretty much the same thing. Pick the one you find most pleasing to hold on hand.

[Al Brown]

Basically the same content with different housing. So you just choose what finish you prefer. I would go for black paint any second. You are welcome.

[WvE]

I know it has been discussed here before but curious to know if there are any fresh 2024 opinions or arguments. It seems to come down to the look and feel I guess. 

[shirubadanieru]

2 minutes ago, WvE said:

I know it has been discussed here before but curious to know if there are any fresh 2024 opinions or arguments. It seems to come down to the look and feel I guess. 

Yup! To be honest, while I love the black paint look on old leica cameras or LHSA special editions, the MP black paint is not as nice (again personal pov), as it gets lots of tiny scratches & very easily, so until you get it to brass (which can take years) it's not the nicest looking black paint. 

I much prefer the M6 finish over the MP BP, but I don't like the red dot & LEICA text in your face. 

Thus if I had to pick one I'd go with the silver MP (& silver lenses are much better looking than black aluminum lenses too). 

At the end of the day it all comes down to personal taste so only you can decide. Definitely see & touch them in person, not based of online pictures.

[a.noctilux]

In that situation, I'd just go to the dealer who has the two for demo, then try the two and decide on-the-go.

Or another possibility, buy the two types, use-them-a-bit, then sell one if not satisfied or sell the two for another one..

Edited January 24, 2024 by a.noctilux

[35 mm]

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vor 36 Minuten schrieb a.noctilux:

In that situation, I'd just go to the dealer who has the two for demo, then try the two and decide on-the-go.

 

I did exactly this three weeks ago. I went to my dealer wanting a silver MP and left the store with a Black Paint.

I would never have thought before that I would make such a decision. No logical reasons, just emotional. A new experience for me. So go to your dealer if possible.

(If there are too many errors in this text... it wasn't me, Deepl helped me out)

Edited January 24, 2024 by 35 mm

[atournas]

Puts Leica MP.pdf

There's no question, apart from price.

[Fotoklaus]

vor 30 Minuten schrieb atournas:

Puts Leica MP.pdf 372.25 kB · 6 downloads

There's no question, apart from price.

This was written in 2003. In 2024 the MP and M6 are the same camera. 

Just the rewind knob and the look of the top Cover are different. That 's it.

[atournas]

2 hours ago, Fotoklaus said:

This was written in 2003. In 2024 the MP and M6 are the same camera. 

Just the rewind knob and the look of the top Cover are different. That 's it.

I think the issue has been raised in this Forum more than once that we do not know officially whether the interiors of the new M6 are identical to MP's. I hear the rumour and it appears sound that, financially as well as engineering-wise, production line of M6 should be practically that of MP's. But... no official statement, as far as I know. 

For instance, the celebrated smooth function of the MP's  advance lever is partially due to the different machining of the materials (brass?). Is it the same on the new M6? Are top and bottom plates non-zinc? if generally 'yes', then I agree with you---no big difference.

Edited January 24, 2024 by atournas

[Greenhilltony]

2 hours ago, atournas said:

I think the issue has been raised in this Forum more than once that we do not know officially whether the interiors of the new M6 are identical to MP's. I hear the rumour and it appears sound that, financially as well as engineering-wise, production line of M6 should be practically that of MP's. But... no official statement, as far as I know. 

For instance, the celebrated smooth function of the MP's  advance lever is partially due to the different machining of the materials (brass?). Is it the same on the new M6? Are top and bottom plates non-zinc? if generally 'yes', then I agree with you---no big difference.

As far as I know the new M6 top is brass now

[Fotoklaus]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb atournas:

I think the issue has been raised in this Forum more than once that we do not know officially whether the interiors of the new M6 are identical to MP's. I hear the rumour and it appears sound that, financially as well as engineering-wise, production line of M6 should be practically that of MP's. But... no official statement, as far as I know. 

For instance, the celebrated smooth function of the MP's  advance lever is partially due to the different machining of the materials (brass?). Is it the same on the new M6? Are top and bottom plates non-zinc? if generally 'yes', then I agree with you---no big difference.

Keeping some mystery makes it possible to talk about a simple camera body over and over again.

We should preserve that for some people.

[earleygallery]

Leica have new machinery to make the M6 parts. Parts for the MP are made from old worn out machinery with much looser tolerances, which is why some people think the MP is 'smoother', it's just slack due to less well fitting internal parts. Also the brass in the MP is recycled, whereas the M6 brass is brand new.

Just to add fuel to the rumour fire!

Edited January 24, 2024 by earleygallery

[UliWer]

Do you really think that Leica is able to sustain two different production lines when they sell a couple of thousand cameras of each type a year? 

[Al Brown]

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!

[ktmrider2]

I owned a M6 or M6TTL back when the MP first appeared.  I looked at the specs of the camera and thought that Leica was just appealing to nostalgia as the only external difference was the rewind knob/film advance of the M2/M3 on the MP vs the M4 rewind crank/film advance lever.  And of course Leica wanted more money for the MP.  I could not bring myself to purchase one.

The new M6 is virtually identical to the MP with the film wind/rewind being the same as in 2003 or whenever the MP appeared.  Functionally they are the same camera and I still don't know which I would pick.  It comes down to black paint vs black chrome.  I don't really think there is much difference with the rewind.  I have owned M2's and one M3 and can rewind the film with a knob or a crank.

I find myself with a similar problem.  I am looking at both the MA in black chrome and the MP in black paint.  The meter in the MP is pretty irrelevant to my decision, nice to have but not necessary.  The black chrome MA may be the sexiest camera Leica ever made but that black paint is gorgeous.  I am presently shooting with a mint 50th anniversary M4 in black chrome and really do not need another film camera but need has very little to do with the cult of Leica.

Have fun with your decision.

Edited January 25, 2024 by ktmrider2

[Fotoklaus]

vor 7 Stunden schrieb UliWer:

Do you really think that Leica is able to sustain two different production lines when they sell a couple of thousand cameras of each type a year? 

Of course. And they paid half a Million Euros for New zinc casting molds just to 

satisfy the bubble feared customers to sit and wait for the first pimple to pop up.

[Helge]

It is pretty simple: there is no need to build the new M6 with a different interior, so there is no difference to the intestines of the MP.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[AndreasG]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Fotoklaus:

And they paid half a Million Euros for New zinc casting molds

Certainly not, the mold design is simple and mold costs for zinc pressure die cast are low compared with aluminium die cast, should be in the range of 80k€ (one cavity) while offering a lifetime of 500k shots plus.

[Helge]

That would be just the actual machining of the casting mold.

Development, prototyping, testing etc. add some +100k€ to that, people are not working for free.