Thinking about moving from M6 (2022 Reissue) to MP

[a.noctilux]

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Concerning wind-on/rewind knob/lever/plastic/so on ... happily we (me?) are "adaptable" enough, if photographing is the main object.

In my long experience, those are just not so important, even sometimes I hope the "other" gear but still continuing using the "not so ideal gear".

This can also be the lens mounted not "tailored" to the present task, but Leica M is not replaceable so ...

Choising is renouncing.

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[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

On 6/29/2024 at 1:53 PM, petereprice said:

I currently own a Leica M6 (2022 Reissue) but as of recently I’ve been thinking about trading it in for the MP.  Two main reasons.

1.  I like the film advance lever on the MP better than the M6 and seems it will last longer through the test of time

2.  I do recognize that the rewind lever is a weak point of this camera with the potential to break, where as the older film rewind knob seems more solid.

Other than that the M6 has been a great camera  for me and I’ve enjoyed shooting with it.  I have no experience using or even holding the MP, so i’m wondering….

Are these two points enough to trade up/upgrade to the MP?  Are there other advantages to the MP over the M6 Reissue?  I’m especially curious about making this move because the MP prices are increasing as of Monday so ideally would like to make this move soon, but also welcome feedback that i may not need to go this direction especially for those with experience with both!  

 

Shoot more film.  When in the gear acquisitive mood, sometimes it's because I'm not out shooting enough film.   Though however I've cycled through plenty of gear in the last 40 years before settling on my camera.  

Creative people get bored easily.  That's probably one of the reasons for wanting to use and experience new and different type of gear.  So go for it.  If you don't like it, sell it.

Maybe though keep the M6, something that maybe you have attachment, something that's been with you during different points of time.  I echo the suggestion about trying an older camera, like an M2.  Who needs meters.  Learn to see light and corresponding exposures, it's easy with b&W film.  Also you may appreciate the bigger frame lines of the older M's.  They're addictive though; before you know it you have 4-5 M3/2/4 ect, and yet still only two hands.

No one correct answer to your query.  Everyone's journey though Leica land is unique.  An MP won't take better pictures, but the user experience will be different.  

Edited July 19, 2024 by TheBestSLIsALeicaflex

[DalmationMartinGuitar]

On 7/19/2024 at 12:13 PM, TheBestSLIsALeicaflex said:

Shoot more film.  When in the gear acquisitive mood, sometimes it's because I'm not out shooting enough film.   Though however I've cycled through plenty of gear in the last 40 years before settling on my camera.  

Creative people get bored easily.  That's probably one of the reasons for wanting to use and experience new and different type of gear.  So go for it.  If you don't like it, sell it.

Maybe though keep the M6, something that maybe you have attachment, something that's been with you during different points of time.  I echo the suggestion about trying an older camera, like an M2.  Who needs meters.  Learn to see light and corresponding exposures, it's easy with b&W film.  Also you may appreciate the bigger frame lines of the older M's.  They're addictive though; before you know it you have 4-5 M3/2/4 ect, and yet still only two hands.

No one correct answer to your query.  Everyone's journey though Leica land is unique.  An MP won't take better pictures, but the user experience will be different.  

This is a great post.  Love the advice to get out and shoot more.  I tend to get restless and want to buy more/different gear...I really just need to get out there and shoot.

[colonel]

I can only understand this move from a pious Leica religionist:

This quote from Ken Rockwell: "The MP and M-A are religious items introduced to address the needs of fundamentalist LEICA followers. These reactionaries know that any innovation developed after the lifetime of The Prophet is the mark of Satan, and must be expunged. "

[_Alex_]

On 6/29/2024 at 10:53 AM, petereprice said:

I currently own a Leica M6 (2022 Reissue) but as of recently I’ve been thinking about trading it in for the MP.  Two main reasons.

1.  I like the film advance lever on the MP better than the M6 and seems it will last longer through the test of time

2.  I do recognize that the rewind lever is a weak point of this camera with the potential to break, where as the older film rewind knob seems more solid.

Other than that the M6 has been a great camera  for me and I’ve enjoyed shooting with it.  I have no experience using or even holding the MP, so i’m wondering….

Are these two points enough to trade up/upgrade to the MP?  Are there other advantages to the MP over the M6 Reissue?  I’m especially curious about making this move because the MP prices are increasing as of Monday so ideally would like to make this move soon, but also welcome feedback that i may not need to go this direction especially for those with experience with both!  

 

It's really an aesthetic choice. All of the reliability debates are exaggerated. There are M6s out there that have been abused for 40 years without the rewind knob being an issue. I find the hinged rewind lever of the M6 more comfortable to use. I have a black paint MP and I'd like to have a reissue M6 because I started shooting Leica on an M6TTL (shouldn't have ever sold it). If I pull the trigger, I'm pretty sure I'd keep the MP body as well. Once you sell your Leica gear you can never get it for the same price again. Put it on a shelf until the itch to shoot with the MP style lever and knob comes back. One more thought: The black paint MP is almost too pretty to shoot. I know patina and brassing are popular with lots of folks, but the camera is gorgeous before it gets beat up. I find that I care less about abusing my black chrome digital bodies because of the finish. For me, part of the reissue M6's appeal is that it shares the same finish as current digital Ms. 

 

[George Stoichev]

I thing you simply need new experience, because M6’s lever is super solid.Even if it breaks M system is among cameras with longest support and you always can get fixed, something I bet won’t happen.

So if you need new experience go for it, but just be honest that this is not because of weak lever.

By the way as owner of M6 classic I also would like to test MP and also M3

[TomB_tx]

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11 minutes ago, George Stoichev said:

By the way as owner of M6 classic I also would like to test MP and also M3

I've owned M4 since 1968 and M6 since 1985 with no lever problems. Like you I also wanted to see if the M3 was somehow "better" and acquired both an early dual-stroke and later single-stroke, along with an M2. All were serviced and brought to like-new condition, and after a few rolls to try them out, are now stored in a drawer while I use the M4 to M7 cameras. I also upgraded the M2 & M3s to M4-style wind levers... The MP has never interested me, as it is basically an M6 with retro levers and updated meter circuit, and built after the Leitz production expertise retired.

[Fotoklaus]

I would seperate the early MP (dates as the M7s)  from the actual production run.