echorec Posted February 20, 2008 Share #1 Posted February 20, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am considering an MP but I have never had one in my hands. I wonder about the general "feeling" of the mechanics. I have had almost every Leica model up to the M7 and the best (and the one I will always keep) is a late M3 (# over 1100000). That one feels like a camera made in heaven. Is the MP that good or is it more like a slightly improved M6? Thanks, Gunnar Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Hi echorec, Take a look here How does the MP feel ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
echorec Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share #2 Posted February 20, 2008 The one from heaven... 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/45921-how-does-the-mp-feel/?do=findComment&comment=488313'>More sharing options...
richam Posted February 20, 2008 Share #3 Posted February 20, 2008 I am considering an MP but I have never had one in my hands. I wonder about the general "feeling" of the mechanics. I have had almost every Leica model up to the M7 and the best (and the one I will always keep) is a late M3 (# over 1100000). That one feels like a camera made in heaven. Is the MP that good or is it more like a slightly improved M6? Thanks, Gunnar First, what I understand of the reason for and market positioning of the MP. I'm sure you are aware of many of these things already, but here goes. When we visited the Leica factory in Solms about 4 years ago, they told us flatly that the MP was a replacement for the M6/M6TTL. They wanted to narrow down the M film camera line to two basic models - MP and M7. The M7 would have all the auto exposure, TTL metering, and be battery dependent except for one or two shutter speeds. It would have the swing out rewind crank and geared shutter dial that is larger and turns more intuitively relative to the lens and viewfinder arrows. The MP, by contrast, was meant to be purely mechanical with battery only for the metering diodes in the viewfinder. The basic design is rugged and retro, although it was supposed to have some 100-150 or such quality improvements over the classic M design. Rugged in the sense that it has the original (non-geared) shutter dial, pull out rewind knob, original advance lever, etc. I don't think this is meaningful to most amateurs shooting close to home, but if I were a pro who really depends on absolute reliability, I'd want the MP. And I'd back it up with a second MP. My personal observation: Like you, I have a host of models in my collection -- M2, M3, M4-2, M6TTL, M7, and MP. I have a particular affection for my Canadian built M4-2. It's the smoothest operating M that I have -- perhaps even a bit "loose" or "buttery" for some shooters. I got it used and it obviously had may films through it before I bought it. I got the MP new, and it's also very smooth. It will probably get smoother as time goes on. It's still my M of choice for most shooting. I don't take the M7 unless I really have a need for auto exposure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted February 20, 2008 Share #4 Posted February 20, 2008 I have had 2 MPs, a few M3s with a serial numbers over 1 million, M2s, barnacks and a M5. None of them match the feel of the MP, but the M3 did come close. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddp Posted February 20, 2008 Share #5 Posted February 20, 2008 I have an M3 (over 1100000) , an MP and an MP3. That M3 is a nice piece indeed. IMHO - the MP3 is closer to the feel of the M3, and it is my main shooting body. This one is certainly not a collector's piece for me. Compared to the M6 and M7 - the MP family does feel different to me. I found the slight height increase of the M7 to actually throw me off a bit....that's why I don't own one anymore. I would certainly pick one up (an MP) and see how it handles compared to the others. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telewatt Posted February 20, 2008 Share #6 Posted February 20, 2008 The mechanic of the M3 is a masterpice.. ..the MP is different but better then the M6's... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lphong Posted February 20, 2008 Share #7 Posted February 20, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Any MP owners who live around the East Midland, UK want to let me have a go with theirs?? :D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted February 21, 2008 Share #8 Posted February 21, 2008 I found that everything was where it should be. It felt very correct. The shutter speed dial set back and ungeared is great. Operate it with the finger tip while your knuckle is on the release. Three things wrong with the MP. The price. The grip (ps ... vulcanite) when it is really sweaty and hot, say in the tropics. Battery compartment or electronics somewhere seem a bit weather dependent. In bad weather I chisel through more batteries. What's that though...two bucks? Ohh...and the price. So...four things:D. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craftsman Posted February 21, 2008 Share #9 Posted February 21, 2008 The best M camera made. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/45921-how-does-the-mp-feel/?do=findComment&comment=488532'>More sharing options...
RITskellar Posted February 21, 2008 Share #10 Posted February 21, 2008 Is the MP that good or is it more like a slightly improved M6? Yes, it's that good. I'm an owner of both a late model M3 like yours and a classic M6. IMHO, those cameras are very, very nice, but the MP is still superior. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RITskellar Posted February 21, 2008 Share #11 Posted February 21, 2008 The one from heaven... Don't know about heaven, but these ones are certainly up there. Might want to check out the "I love my MP" thread for more information on your choice. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/45921-how-does-the-mp-feel/?do=findComment&comment=488581'>More sharing options...
Guest Joachim_I Posted February 21, 2008 Share #12 Posted February 21, 2008 I am the lucky owner of two MPs. With eyes closed I can easily separate both from each other. One MP has an extremely smooth film transport but a slightly sticky shutter release. The other MP has a perfectly smooth shutter release but a bit of friction in the film transport. What I want to say is this: M cameras are not assembled by robots. There will be some variation in the production outcome. If you are happy, you get a camera where everything works perfectly smooth. I would not give anything for opinions like "MP is more smooth than M3" or whatever. It all depends on the exact cameras someone uses. What I can say is that I very much enjoy using these cameras. Best, Joachim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted February 21, 2008 Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Might as well ask here first: Does anyone have a clean chrome 0.72 newest version for sale? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona!d Posted February 21, 2008 Share #14 Posted February 21, 2008 Might as well ask here first: Does anyone have a clean chrome 0.72 newest version for sale? THAT is a question for: Leica User Forum Classifieds - Main Index - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin Posted February 21, 2008 Share #15 Posted February 21, 2008 have you ever driven a Golf GTI, than it's like driving a modern Porsche. Pure analog: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
echorec Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share #16 Posted February 21, 2008 THAT is a question for: Leica User Forum Classifieds - Main Index - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds You are right of course. I will post a WTB. There was one for sale there just a few days ago but someone else got it just before I had made up my mind about it... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 21, 2008 Share #17 Posted February 21, 2008 I am used to M6TTL/M7 size bodies so the MP bodies feel a little small to me but it is not a big deal. I didn't like the covering my MP came with so I just had it recovered in Griptac and now it is much better (pix on the last page of the I love my MP thread). The camera is quiet but not as quiet as the M7 at the slower speeds. I have two bodies, a regular MP and an MP3 and they feel the same to me but I do like the solitary framelines on the MP3. I think that body will end up as my everyday user camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted February 21, 2008 Share #18 Posted February 21, 2008 gunnar, you have private message from me, check the small box in the top right hand corner of this page. christer Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndjambrose Posted February 23, 2008 Share #19 Posted February 23, 2008 I am considering an MP but I have never had one in my hands. I wonder about the general "feeling" of the mechanics. I have had almost every Leica model up to the M7 and the best (and the one I will always keep) is a late M3 (# over 1100000). That one feels like a camera made in heaven. Is the MP that good or is it more like a slightly improved M6? Thanks, Gunnar It's like a *very* improved M6. I have an M6TTL and an M7, but have quit using both in favour of an MP. Fantastic viewfinder, ultra smooth and solid gearing, precise metering. Feels brilliantly robust. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Edwards Posted February 23, 2008 Share #20 Posted February 23, 2008 ...imho...true value for money (c.f., retail price of usd5500 for m8, or usd2800 for digi2, or usd2100 for digi2)...this is leica at its finest (the apex of nearly a century of defining reality for the company that invented 35mm photography)... ...with all of the problems leica has faced transitioning from the film to the digital world, the mp is an iconic keeper that will only go up in value as the quintessential paradigm of mechanical genius (witness mechnical pateks, iwcs, brequets, etc)... ...guess you can call me a fan of the mp... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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