Is a new MP worth it?

[lexffm]

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Hello @pgh

The MP is definitely very high quality, I can only recommend it. The viewfinder in a new one is much better than what you're used to on your M6. The BP version is also very nice. But the silver one is also nice (I have both). And a film M is always an ideal complement to a digital...

So you can't go wrong with this one. I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

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[SudaliuS]

I was recently choosing a film camera for myself and had the same thoughts as the author of this topic. Yes, new cameras may not be perfect, but no one can be sure that used ones work perfectly and do not have any hidden problems. I decided to buy a new MP in silver chrome. I really like this color and besides, they don’t make it anymore. In my country, there is no official Leica dealer or representatives and I will not be able to send the camera for repairs to the EU. But I took this risk anyway. A new camera is a new one. It’s nice to know that no one has used it before you.

[250swb]

6 hours ago, pgh said:

The difference in the lens is more than this. I've used them for 20 years. The perspective and rendering are different - it's not just about the magnification into the scene. Not to mention in situations I photograph going forward or backward is often enough not an option. Anyways, a 43mm is curious to me because why wouldn't a novel FL in between what I already use not be?  

 

Of the current era of Leica lenses I think perhaps the 50mm Summilux is the only one I'd recognise from a blind print viewing of similar focal lengths, and that would be with digital images. Film changes many things and some become irrelevant, at f/5.6 nobody will know or care to guess what lens you used nor if you are on top of a scene with a 35mm or standing back with a 50mm. As for a 43mm lens you could buy a 40mm lens and crop, using the outside of the 50mm framelines to compose with. Realistically a 43mm lens only offers the user another way to photograph similar sunsets and similar boats bobbing in a harbour and declare it transformative Leica experience (to their bank balance). As with all new Leica lenses if a 43mm does show up they'll only be used on digital anyway so as to display it's awesome sharpness and rendering, so wait a year and get one second hand given Tri-X and Rodinal will bugger up any higher expectations of awesomeness.

With using film the camera and lens are simply a part of the user experience, and only very, very rarely the imaging experience. Pentax, Nikon, Olympus, Leica, nobody can tell the difference and some other lenses are 'better' than Leica anyway. Don't believe me, go to the 'I like film....(open thread)' and look at all the images from a wide variety of cameras, and if the person posting it hadn't been kind enough to detail the equipment you couldn't even guess. This is to show how easy it is to waste money going down the Leica rabbit hole.

[pgh]

3 hours ago, 250swb said:

Of the current era of Leica lenses I think perhaps the 50mm Summilux is the only one I'd recognise from a blind print viewing of similar focal lengths, and that would be with digital images. Film changes many things and some become irrelevant, at f/5.6 nobody will know or care to guess what lens you used nor if you are on top of a scene with a 35mm or standing back with a 50mm. As for a 43mm lens you could buy a 40mm lens and crop, using the outside of the 50mm framelines to compose with. Realistically a 43mm lens only offers the user another way to photograph similar sunsets and similar boats bobbing in a harbour and declare it transformative Leica experience (to their bank balance). As with all new Leica lenses if a 43mm does show up they'll only be used on digital anyway so as to display it's awesome sharpness and rendering, so wait a year and get one second hand given Tri-X and Rodinal will bugger up any higher expectations of awesomeness.

With using film the camera and lens are simply a part of the user experience, and only very, very rarely the imaging experience. Pentax, Nikon, Olympus, Leica, nobody can tell the difference and some other lenses are 'better' than Leica anyway. Don't believe me, go to the 'I like film....(open thread)' and look at all the images from a wide variety of cameras, and if the person posting it hadn't been kind enough to detail the equipment you couldn't even guess. This is to show how easy it is to waste money going down the Leica rabbit hole.

I totally agree it’s easy to waste money. Point of my thread here to see if that’s what I was teetering on. 

And that esp on film it’s hard to distinguish between lenses of the same focal length, but it’s usually easy enough for me to parse a 35 or a 50 from looking at a negative. And definitely when shooting. So, that experience is materially different, at least for me. I’m going through my archives now and it’s easy to tell what I shot with a 35 vs a 50 even when I have no memory of it. It doesn’t matter to a viewer, for sure, but it does have a role in the picture, and in making it. 

Anyways, I’m not going to wait for a 43 whatever, I just found that a curious aside to ponder. 

[pgh]

4 hours ago, Crem said:

Both of my MPs had sticky frame lines masks. I would put a lens on the body, move focus to infinity, then move it to min focus. Somewhat randomly, the frame lines would stick. Then randomly jump into the correct position. On the 2024 they froze up completely after ~1 year. DAG mentioned something about Leica putting oil where it shouldn't go and that over time the masks get gummed up. The 2020 would sometimes stick after ~4 years so I had DAG sort it out.

Second issue I had was dust in the viewfinder on the 2020 right out of the box. All film Leicas will eventually get dust, but straight out of the box when new? Unacceptable to me, but I dealt with it as it didn't impact shooting. This was easily fixed by DAG.

Third issue is the 2024 came with this absolutely crap slotted battery cover. The paint literally pealed right off revealing the brass underneath it. I'm not talking about brassing in the normal sense. I mean the paint just came right off. It's like they used the wrong paint that had no ability to stick to the metal as it came off in one giant piece like peeling a banana. The design of the 2024's slotted cover was different from the 2020. The 2020 has no such issue.

Fourth issue is the 2024 did NOT come with the leatherette battery cover (only the poorly painted slotted one). I worked with Leica customer service and my dealer to sort this out and they shipped me one. I have a forum thread on it somewhere, but the summary is that the leatherette battery cover doesn't meet USA regulations. So they stopped shipping those here. Fortunately Leica did the right thing, but I do wonder how many people never got one.

Fifth issue is the 2020 has a bottom plate that doesn't fit tight on the right hand side. When gripping the camera firmly, I can feel the plate slide around a bit forward/back. I'm 95% sure the problem is a defect in the plate. I haven't bothered to deal with it because there are no light leaks.

I won't go into the issues I've had with other Leica products (M11 & Steel Rim Reissue), but in general I do not trust their quality control. I buy Leica for the shooting experience which I think is the best in the world. The quality control and repair times over the last few years have been absolutely unacceptable.

 

Thanks for sharing. That’s a rough go - sorry to see your film experience is no different than new digitals (for me). 
I agree the process of using them is unmatched but yea, yikes. 

[Don Flynn]

7 hours ago, Crem said:

Both of my MPs had sticky frame lines masks. I would put a lens on the body, move focus to infinity, then move it to min focus. Somewhat randomly, the frame lines would stick. Then randomly jump into the correct position. On the 2024 they froze up completely after ~1 year. DAG mentioned something about Leica putting oil where it shouldn't go and that over time the masks get gummed up. The 2020 would sometimes stick after ~4 years so I had DAG sort it out.

Second issue I had was dust in the viewfinder on the 2020 right out of the box. All film Leicas will eventually get dust, but straight out of the box when new? Unacceptable to me, but I dealt with it as it didn't impact shooting. This was easily fixed by DAG.

Third issue is the 2024 came with this absolutely crap slotted battery cover. The paint literally pealed right off revealing the brass underneath it. I'm not talking about brassing in the normal sense. I mean the paint just came right off. It's like they used the wrong paint that had no ability to stick to the metal as it came off in one giant piece like peeling a banana. The design of the 2024's slotted cover was different from the 2020. The 2020 has no such issue.

Fourth issue is the 2024 did NOT come with the leatherette battery cover (only the poorly painted slotted one). I worked with Leica customer service and my dealer to sort this out and they shipped me one. I have a forum thread on it somewhere, but the summary is that the leatherette battery cover doesn't meet USA regulations. So they stopped shipping those here. Fortunately Leica did the right thing, but I do wonder how many people never got one.

Fifth issue is the 2020 has a bottom plate that doesn't fit tight on the right hand side. When gripping the camera firmly, I can feel the plate slide around a bit forward/back. I'm 95% sure the problem is a defect in the plate. I haven't bothered to deal with it because there are no light leaks.

I won't go into the issues I've had with other Leica products (M11 & Steel Rim Reissue), but in general I do not trust their quality control. I buy Leica for the shooting experience which I think is the best in the world. The quality control and repair times over the last few years have been absolutely unacceptable.

 

I'm still toying with saving up and getting a new film MP or M6 when I retire in 2027 as a gift to myself, but posts like yours with your experience with recent Leica QC make me leery on it, that and I have 2 M6's now plus plan on getting a 2nd M5 through Tamarkin Leica as they have 1 they got in stock recently worked over by DAG, saving me having to do it 😁

[Don Flynn]

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21 hours ago, pgh said:

I sort of agonize about even starting such a discussion, knowing how personal and subjective this can be - but I know there is expertise here that may help. Lately I’ve been wanting to get back to shooting 35mm, and I need a body for that. I’ve got a stable of M digitals and the lenses I need already. I used to use M6’s for awhile and quite enjoyed them, regrettably selling them about a decade ago. As is often noted, the viewfinder wasn’t perfect in all conditions, but it was pretty good for me generally. I really had no complaints with my M6 cameras.

It would hurt a lot to spring for an MP - then again photography is all I’ve really indulged in for most of my life, I would often joke (but speak honestly) that the camera I carried was worth more than my car. This wasn’t because my camera was particularly nice. 

Not really being a collector or a historian, are the old film cameras really made that much better than the new? I want a meter, I’m not getting an M4. Is the MP really a finely produced mechanical piece in line with the old stuff or is it as finicky and lacking in finishing and quality control as I have experienced with the digital M’s? The warranty sounds nice, but having to mess with problems out of the box (again) could be enough to kill off my interest entirely. 

I like the idea of getting something new, from the start and having it be in the family, and passing it down to my son potentially - if he were ever interested. It’s silly but that’s worth something to me. How much I am not sure, but I don’t think that works with digital cameras, even my beloved M10-D.

I’ve never bought a new film camera in my whole life!  Let’s say I am now in a place where I could afford an MP new, but I am still quite price sensitive. My local shop has a nice enough M6, late 90’s production (not TTL though) for half the price, but there are a few things about it I don’t love (I would get over them in minutes, I am sure). Will the MP potentially have greater longevity due to its current production? Is it more likely to be free from issues as a 30 year old perfectly functioning M6? Am I going to get scratched negatives out the gate? Every Leica I’ve bought new (m8, m10, SL2) has needed come out of the box with problems that needed to be addressed, so I’ve opted to buy used with digital since then - which has been much smoother! This is my hesitation with buying a new MP - aside from the extra cash. 

Thoughts? 

If your in the Great Lakes area I would suggest contacting Tamarkin Leica in Chicago and seeing what they have in their used M bodies. My understanding is they use DAG for their CLA's so you know its GTG out of the box

https://www.tamarkin.com/products/m-series/cameras#used-section

I would contact them and see what they have in, my understanding is they don't update the used sales page as often as they should. If I hadn't just bought a new car the M6 Classic with the .85 viewfinder might be headed my way. I already have 2 72 versions but I'm thinking the .85 might be better.

That and I asked them if they ever get M5's on stock, I'm a fan and want a 2nd 1 of those. They have 1 at DAG now so I'm waiting to see what they have with that

[spydrxx]

GAS is really difficult to overcome except by giving in. As most of us know, there is no perfect camera out there, and in this forum we see lots of complaints and periodic accolades. I think if you have the funds and are inclined toward a particular model you should go ahead and get it. If you are disappointed you can always sell it and try something else. Life is too short to quibble with "shoulda, coulda, and wish I hads".😄

[buj]

i have my black MP since 2015.

no problems. go for it!

[pgh]

6 hours ago, Don Flynn said:

If your in the Great Lakes area I would suggest contacting Tamarkin Leica in Chicago and seeing what they have in their used M bodies. My understanding is they use DAG for their CLA's so you know its GTG out of the box

https://www.tamarkin.com/products/m-series/cameras#used-section

I would contact them and see what they have in, my understanding is they don't update the used sales page as often as they should. If I hadn't just bought a new car the M6 Classic with the .85 viewfinder might be headed my way. I already have 2 72 versions but I'm thinking the .85 might be better.

That and I asked them if they ever get M5's on stock, I'm a fan and want a 2nd 1 of those. They have 1 at DAG now so I'm waiting to see what they have with that

i like the .85.

Tamarkin is great, but my local has that version too, it's one reason I'm pulled towards the m6 (also the cost savings). Usually look to Tamarkin as my second option, but prefer to stay in town when possible. 

If I really ended up recommitting to film I would eventually sell off one of my digital M's and get a second film body. The issue is that I (at least occasionally) use all of my digital bodies for work, but I wouldn't be able to shoot film for work, so I'd have to sort that out. 

I never stopped liking film it just wasn't viable for so long in my situation and now it seems it is again...gah. 

Edited July 31 by pgh

[misteracng]

MP and reissue M6's may cost more make 4000-4500 range used, but they should not really need additional CLA service at this point. I will say however that my M3 has the smoothest operation and the quietest shutter. My M4 is similar to the MP and new M6. They are smooth but not quite as good as the M3. I really do like the M4 as well. They really made them well back then. The new viewfinders in the MP basically went back to the M3/M4 style, more expensive. I guess you would have possibility of rangefinder patch issues with the older ones due to age and old glue they used back then, but these can be fixed mostly. I find no clarity difference between M3/M4 vs MP. Unfortunately no meter, but M3/M4 are much cheaper and really well made.

[ktmrider2]

I purchased my first Leica M film body in 1975 and have owned them all except for the M7 and MA.  My favorite is the M2 as Leica got something right about that camera, especially the viewfinder with a 35mm lens.  And you can say the same about an M3 with a 50mm.  I purchased a new MP in February, 2023 primarily because I had not purchased a new Leica film body since before 2000.  Now I carry the MP and a Q3 for travel.  I am almost 73 and the auto focus and stability control are handy.

Before the purchase of the MP, I was using a mint black chrome M4 and I really did not see much difference between the two bodies.  And I am not talking about the obvious differences in meter/no meter,  rewind crank vs knob, or different style film advance.  I owned an M6 back in 2002 when the MP first appeared and I remember thinking the MP was a marketing ploy by Leica going for the nostalgia.  I have not changed my opinion.  The softness of the black paint finish on the MP did surprise the hell out of me.  But if you want a new film Leica, it is one of three choices.  I like the style of the MP over the new M6.  And I admit to thinking the black chrome MA is the best of the bunch but I wanted a TTL meter.  I would do it again.

I purchased my MP in Hong Kong and saved $1300 or so compared to NYC prices.  My understanding is shipping from Hong Kong to your residence is three days.

[hansvons]

On 7/31/2025 at 7:55 AM, Crem said:

The quality control and repair times over the last few years have been absolutely unacceptable.

Quality control issues are due to their manufacturing process which is very much based on manual work, including QC. We are so used to perfect automation in production that there is a tangible quality gap now tilted towards automation. Agree on the repair times. Leica was caught flat-footed by their success and the labour shortage that is still haunting Germany. Don’t know how much of that was foreseeable.  

 

On 7/31/2025 at 2:14 AM, pgh said:

Unfortunately a new Leica out of the box with problems... well I'm 3 for 3 there. Part of my reticence.

When I was in your shoes looking for a proper film camera that is particularly good at focusing 35mm wide-angle lenses I bought a pair of Ms (nothing beats a rangefinder at that focal length), an M6 and an M4P both recently CLA-ed.

Why a pair? Contrary to digital cameras, film is tied to specific ISOs and B/W or colour. If you want/need choices, you need two bodies.

This pair cost me the same price of a new MP or M6. I shot over 500 rolls with them in the last two years without any issue. Yes, the MP viewfinder is better in rare occasions, but not as much better than a second body.

Why the M4P? Because it’s basically an M6 without the meter, providing the same handling but a one-click release button that allows for even lower speeds handheld.

Would I change anything if I started over? No. Not at a given budget. In 2 years, both will see a CLA and then I might upgrade them to the MP viewfinder—or not. I see any camera as a tool that must be designed in such a way that it does the job as expected AND motivates me using it. A new MP wouldn’t change a iota. But having the choice of two Ms loaded with different film stocks and different shutter release help make my photography better.

[Don Flynn]

5 hours ago, hansvons said:

Quality control issues are due to their manufacturing process which is very much based on manual work, including QC. We are so used to perfect automation in production that there is a tangible quality gap now tilted towards automation. Agree on the repair times. Leica was caught flat-footed by their success and the labour shortage that is still haunting Germany. Don’t know how much of that was foreseeable.  

 

When I was in your shoes looking for a proper film camera that is particularly good at focusing 35mm wide-angle lenses I bought a pair of Ms (nothing beats a rangefinder at that focal length), an M6 and an M4P both recently CLA-ed.

Why a pair? Contrary to digital cameras, film is tied to specific ISOs and B/W or colour. If you want/need choices, you need two bodies.

This pair cost me the same price of a new MP or M6. I shot over 500 rolls with them in the last two years without any issue. Yes, the MP viewfinder is better in rare occasions, but not as much better than a second body.

Why the M4P? Because it’s basically an M6 without the meter, providing the same handling but a one-click release button that allows for even lower speeds handheld.

Would I change anything if I started over? No. Not at a given budget. In 2 years, both will see a CLA and then I might upgrade them to the MP viewfinder—or not. I see any camera as a tool that must be designed in such a way that it does the job as expected AND motivates me using it. A new MP wouldn’t change a iota. But having the choice of two Ms loaded with different film stocks and different shutter release help make my photography better.

I had the same idea after I researched things, I got my M5 1st since I knew how they handled then got the M6. My plan is getting a 2nd M5, then have spare bodies as needed if I ever need them 

[misteracng]

M3 and early M4 production had brass parts that required technicians to hand fit and adjust in production, which is very labor intensive. I believe as the parts wear in together, it develops a smoothness, but this was extremely expensive to do. They change to stronger steel parts to accommodate winders but also to allow assembly to be easier, not needing hand fitment. So parts are stronger, but don't really wear in together as much. Black paint models have changed alot I think. My friend has a black paint M4 and that lacquer paint was much thicker and stronger. They brass and produce patina but it really takes alot of use to get that. The MP black paint is extremely soft and wears much faster, perhaps a thinner layer as well. I think they might have done that to allow brassing to occur faster because people want to see it. Since most people don't shoot as much film as before, it probably would take too get the brassing effect with a very tough black paint.

[250swb]

I’m not sure I buy the myth about soft paint on the MP. As soon as the MP was announced the ‘black lacquer’ made ignorant people think it was painted in black furniture lacquer made from tree resin, lol. But my MP is from the pre-release batch from 2002 and the paint is hard, and it’s worn very well over the years, although I never stuff it into tight camera bags that increase wear. But if it does chip it’s because the paint is hard, not soft, and edges wear very gracefully. I’ve seem more wear on black paint M9’s which are done in a powder coating paint process which should be even more robust. However people do get the sandpaper out, so don’t take the action-man fake wear cameras as examples.

[Crem]

1 hour ago, 250swb said:

I’m not sure I buy the myth about soft paint on the MP. As soon as the MP was announced the ‘black lacquer’ made ignorant people think it was painted in black furniture lacquer made from tree resin, lol. But my MP is from the pre-release batch from 2002 and the paint is hard, and it’s worn very well over the years, although I never stuff it into tight camera bags that increase wear. But if it does chip it’s because the paint is hard, not soft, and edges wear very gracefully. I’ve seem more wear on black paint M9’s which are done in a powder coating paint process which should be even more robust. However people do get the sandpaper out, so don’t take the action-man fake wear cameras as examples.

The MPs I've used (2020 and 2024) appear to share the same exact paint. It's definitely a hard and thick paint. Mine are full of micro-scratches at this point, a number of chips, and a tiny amount of brassing. When I see a modern MP with lots of brassing I just assume it got sandpapered. Real brassing is going to take many years of constant use with the modern MP paint. Probably measured in thousands of rolls of film or one trip to the orbital buffer.

[pgh]

Ok all. Thanks for everyone’s input. I’ve decided that for my purposes, for right now, a new MP is not worth it! 

I went for the very nice .85 m6 for less than half the price, which feels more sane for the moment. If I’ve put a good bit of film thru it by the year’s end I will revisit the MP idea. If I really start shooting film again I will trade in one of my digitals for a second film body. 

I’ve only had it for a few hours and the first roll has one frame left, so good chance for that. Ha. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[BWColor]

Darn.. you posted while I was typing…. Sounds like a great choice.  Have fun with your M6.  What follows is even more irrelevant than when I wrote it.

I don’t believe that such a purchase is a rational purchase.  It just doesn’t make sense, but that hasn’t a thing to do with if you should purchase a new MP.  Of course, it isn’t worth it.  I have three very expensive hobbies and not a thing that I buy is worth it, but that isn’t why I make hobby purchases.  I can tell you that one of my M3s looks absolutely new and I’ve only had it over two decades.. still looks new.  My M6TTL not only looked new upon purchase, but came with all original boxing.  Both have worked flawlessly as have my other film ‘M’s.  I’ve been long gone to film and currently shoot Sony, Leica and Hasselblad digital and recently decided to clear out my safe and sell what I wasn’t using.  Well, that didn’t work so well… I have been trying out my film cameras again.  I discovered that like watching Star Trek on a huge modern OLED TV, I was a bit bothered by the high resolution 35mm TIFF Portra 160 scans/M3/35mm APO lens that I got back from the lab..they weren’t so high resolution.  So, I spent a fortune on a setup to copy my images..crazy..my Coolscan 9000ED still works..  I discovered that I could live with Velvia 50..what no Velvia?  B&W is my main thing, but the M11 Monochrom is too good.  Solution, I’ve gone with 645 and 6x7 rangefinders with E100.  It has a special look a bit different than the X2D files.  It is a very expensive option.  Is it worth it?  Absolutely not.. Do I care..only if my wife finds out how much 120 E100 rolls go for these days.  If you are collecting..buy..  If you are using, make sure that you like 35mm film images and that you have a film that you like.  Nobody can tell you if it is worth it.  I had a new Leica M6 (prefer the rewind) in the B&H cart for a good while, before I decided that I should shoot some film first.  In the end, I purchased two used 645 rangefinders, have my RF645 out for repair and pulled two Mamiya 7(ii)s out of the safe.  About to go on vacation with only film 645 rangefinders, E100 and a couple of light meters.  That was worth it for me.  Took the M6 out of the cart.

Edited August 2 by BWColor
See first sentence…

[pgh]

^ issue for me is photography is something of an occupation still, but the film - well I haven’t made money using that for a good while. Also haven’t tried, stopped pushing for film budgets a decade ago. Everything is different now. But I’m not quite in the position to make such purchases for a hobby. (Well of course it is a hobby but then it’s one I need to make a return on from time to time!) Anyways. 
 

Still shoot my Rolleis for fun sometimes but yes I actually do like the look of 35mm.

Digital is so good and so perfect, my x2d bores me, which feels absurd for me to write. It is such an amazing tool, really. But something is changing in the world of imaging, especially with AI. This is a sidebar discussion, but anyways, these past few years I’ve really stopped much caring about resolution beyond a certain point. It has never played much role in whether or not a picture I made was any good. I got the x2d for the ibis more than the 100mp, I’d have gotten a 50mp version if they made one with ibis. 
 

I digress. Happy to have this m6, feels like where I left off a decade ago, but we’ll see if the glow endures when I get the first films back. I suspect it will be frustrating, mostly but with tiny flashes of gratification. Hopefully everything proves to be in fine working order - seems to be but of course the negatives will tell the story! If all of that is the case it would be more than enough.