MA or MP?

[ktmrider2]

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I am sure this has been asked before but I cannot decide between a MA or MP.  I have owned all the film Leicas up to the M7 so have used M3, M2, M4, M4-2, M4-P, M6, and M6TTL.  The M2 is my favorite viewfinder while I prefer the modern film loading/rewind of the M4.  My present  camera is a mint black chrome 50th anniversary M4.  I love the stealth look of the black chrome MA and the black paint on the MP is beautiful in a different way.  The meter is neither here nor there as I tend to use an incident meter even with metered cameras.  I admit that a built in meter can be convient at times.

I will be in Hong Kong in a few weeks and can get an MA for $4200 and a MP for $4500.  If I am honest, I don't need another Leica or even another camera.  However, I want a new Leica so there.  If I start feeling too guilty about owning two Leicas, I can trade my M4 for $3000 or sell it for $4000.  So, a new Leica would be a wash for a 49 year old model.  The Leica cult does not make sense but would we have as much fun if it did make sense.  Help!

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[ianman]

3 minutes ago, ktmrider2 said:

I am sure this has been asked before but I cannot decide between a MA or MP.

Not that I’ve seen!

The only important difference is the meter. Yes or no. It’s as simple as that.

[RayD28]

Meter or non-metered is not a decision factor?  Flip a coin -- heads M-A, tails MP.  

[burchyk]

It's like you've said, meter and finish.

My tip is to carefully inspect the film gate on the particular example since they're finished by hand and been known to vary in terms of how straight they are. I know some people don't care but I do.

[Jewl]

I'd pick the MP BP. As I prefer to meter in-camera! If you'd like to do the same, as my predecessors mentioned, that could be the main influence on the decision 😉 

Ergonomics and design might be one as well but this can be neglected from a rational decision making standpoint! 

[a.noctilux]

@ktmrider2,

Flip a coin then be happy with the choice.

You can even choose the other one selected by the flip 🎲.

No right or wrong choice, just another choice.

No logical choice for everybody.

For me, I choose M-A after MP but not universal choice for each of us.

 

[FrozenInTime]

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The answer is to have both a metered and a meter-less camera.

M2/.../M4-P, M-A is best after dark: no distracting LEDs in the viewfinder and I think the gentler, shorter shutter stroke helps with camera shake.

A M6/7/MP's meter is convenient when using a polariser or variable ND; when the weather is changeable or when pulling out a handheld meter will slow you down.

[rustyrus]

M-A hands down IMO- 

I really disliked the lights on the bottom of the RF patch. It also blocked some of the lower frame lines which I also didn't care for. 

I find it easier to meter with my phone for a scene and make small adjustments as needed based on over or under exposure that I want in the shot. That is a much better experience in how I shoot- 

I also prefer to understand how the scene is metered before I take the shot so doing it handheld helps me understand what the meter for the highs would be or the lows and again can make a quick aperture or shutter change to compensate quickly while in an environment for a while. 

Thats me though- I would also rather put a Voigtlander LM on top vs anything in Viewfinder. As you can see above though, lots of people disagree

[Emtsoh]

13 minutes ago, rustyrus said:

M-A hands down IMO- 

I really disliked the lights on the bottom of the RF patch. It also blocked some of the lower frame lines which I also didn't care for. 

I find it easier to meter with my phone for a scene and make small adjustments as needed based on over or under exposure that I want in the shot. That is a much better experience in how I shoot- 

I also prefer to understand how the scene is metered before I take the shot so doing it handheld helps me understand what the meter for the highs would be or the lows and again can make a quick aperture or shutter change to compensate quickly while in an environment for a while. 

Thats me though- I would also rather put a Voigtlander LM on top vs anything in Viewfinder. As you can see above though, lots of people disagree

Same here.

[earleygallery]

As I'm used to using an M2 I'd pick the MA if I was lucky enough to be able to treat myself to a new M body.

I just like the fact that it's a totally basic camera, yes I know if you leave the battery out of an MP it's the same camera and yes under the leatherette cover of the MA is the blanked off battery chamber of the MP, but it's as close as possible to a new M2. Also I expect using the built in meter would make me lazy about exposure!

BUT......that's my choice. Only you can decide what you want!

[rustyrus]

14 minutes ago, earleygallery said:

As I'm used to using an M2 I'd pick the MA if I was lucky enough to be able to treat myself to a new M body.

I just like the fact that it's a totally basic camera, yes I know if you leave the battery out of an MP it's the same camera and yes under the leatherette cover of the MA is the blanked off battery chamber of the MP, but it's as close as possible to a new M2. Also I expect using the built in meter would make me lazy about exposure!

BUT......that's my choice. Only you can decide what you want!

The frameline isn't shown due to where the lights are- So there is a difference in the viewfinder where the lights are- That really is the main difference besides the built in meter- 

[Al Brown]

It is one of the toughest decisions (tougher being having to pick between MP or the new M6, both quintessentially being the same camera inside).
I chose my Rolex with no date so I would probably opt for a fully mechanical meterless M (in my world that is equivalent), but then again, a meter is so freaking handy to have for E6...

Edited February 8, 2024 by Al Brown

[HighlandLeica]

I would choose the MP because there will be times when the convenience of having an in-camera light meter will probably cause you to pick it up and use it more frequently than one without a meter. And for those days when you feel masochistic, you can always remove the batteries and have yourself a virtual MA. 

[rmueller]

M-A and I never regretted, consider buying another M-A so I can have daylight film in one and tungsten in the other.

I prefer an external meter for precise metering and for street I meter once or twice a day and adjust up/down a stop if the subject is darker/lighter than where I took the metering. Works great, checked the negatives on the light table with a loupe. An internal light meter is overestimated IMO, non of my MF or 4x5" cameras has a light meter, so I got used to carrying one with me all the time.

This is my personal choice though, can't do anything wrong with a MP.

Regards Ralf

[Raskar]

It depends on what and where you mostly shoot.

As I just got an M2 added to M7/MP, I miss the possibility to quickly know where I'm at, mostly inside (without checking external meter or phone)

The most esthetic loose going MP is the rear pastic/metal wheel, I still dont understand why Leica doesn't do a better job while this piece is so nice on M-A.

Edited February 8, 2024 by Raskar

[ktmrider2]

I just read that Leica had to use plastic on the ISO dial of the MP as a metal one would cause a short in the metering circuit.  Don't know if that is true or not as I would think that all you are adjusting is the resistance in the metering circuit as you set ISO.  Don't see that the dial is in direct contact with the circuitry but if it was I can see a problem using metal.

I chose a non dated Rolex back in 1980 due to a dated version costing $50 more!  My stainless steel Submariner was $320 in Singapore.

I know it is a personal choice and I may just flip a coin as has been suggested.  Some days I see the convenience of the meter in the camera and other days I think it is something I don't want to bother with.  It has been 15 years since I owned a metered Leica (not counting the M5 I used a few years ago).  Also, I am thinking the black chrome MA will look better long term than the black paint MP.  I have been doing photography long enough that I have caused lots of cameras to show their brass patina over time, especially black Nikon F's I used professionally in the early 1970's.  Black patina, like bokeh, is something we did not worry about in the 1970's nor did we think it was anything special.

I have a couple more weeks to make a decision and like most things Leica, there really is not a bad choice.

Edited February 8, 2024 by ktmrider2

[a.noctilux]

9 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

there really is not a bad choice

As long time photographer, you would not need using lightmeter.

As myself, learn to not using lightmeter is easy (for me ...),

 

You will not need but I used this helping "tool" for a while then freedom came...

If not already known, I won't leave this thread (for beginners only who will read this thread) without mentioning a tool, free exposuremat

 

[VanDooglz]

I feel like your question already contains the answer. The most important quality of your next Leica is to be new. You will get this with either model. The rest doesn't matter as much. Personally I would go with the one which feels least similar to your M4 to have more variety. My guess that's the MP.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[a.noctilux]

Two types of choosing :

- one with plenty of reasons

- another is letting the haphazard decision

...

- then another "choice" is doing nothing, freedom not to change

[ktmrider2]

Presently, the wind is blowing in the direction of a black chrome MA.  It might shift as I have a couple weeks to make a decision.

Thanks for your input.  It is always great to get different opinions.