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Now if the M8 could be made to look more like a black paint MP...I might lose my mind. I'm still pretty impressed by seeing some Velvia from my MP's - after shooting Nikon D's in the office since Y2K, I'm pretty jaded with technology.

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Albert,

 

If I recall correctly, the MP was named after the original, low production MP for professionals back in the 50's. It was designed as a throwback if you will to a more bare bones camera. I believe the MP has been more succesful than they initially anticipated. Some would argue that the MP did not represent a technical advancement like an M7 (although the viewfinder fix was ) I am sure there may be some on this forum that can explain this better than myself.

 

There is also an MP-3 LHSA limited edition out there which is a bit more faithful to the original design.

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You'll never sell an M8 to William though...

 

There's life in the old dog yet (the MP, not William of course, although there's life in William yet too :) ) So long as there are people who want the best tool to shoot film, Leica will sell the M7 and MP. You may have to wait while they build you one specifically, but I am sure that if the price is right, it won't be a problem for them.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see a hike in M7/MP prices shortly, as demand for them goes down the pan...

 

Andy,

 

Not sure how much life is left in this old dog, but you are correct about the M8. I have no need for one. It IS an M and it is for pros who need digital output for certain work and rapid processing for time-sensitive jobs. It is very good, colors are good, details are good, BUT it does not replace the best films. In many cases the "look" will still be different.

 

Which is "better"? That would depend on the job.

 

M photography is simple. If you have a good lab with good gear, you're home free. With an M8, processing the RAW files is not nearly so straight-forward. Wait to read reviews from Leica M shooters. You will hear how it works as a "tool".

 

AND..., tool is the point. It would not replace my MP .58 as a tool with a 35 mounted, nor my M5 with a 50 ASPH, nor my M7 with either the 28/2 or 75/2. Depends entirely upon what works best for the photographer and what yields the "best" results.

 

The Forum will probably now "evolve" from discussions about photography into technical discussions of RAW development, something like a mobile phone chatroom...:(

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I just added a second 0.85 MP to my system...bye bye R system :(

 

Sorry for the non - Leica digital image below (and in the old days someone might have responded with the "wanker / fondler" comment) Just wanted to share....

 

Dan,

 

That's pretty cute! :) Not much one for paint that wears, but I'd really enjoy a .85 M7 if I didn't have a perfectly working M5.

 

Free for brunch on Sunday now that Labor Day is past?

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...something like a mobile phone chatroom...:(

 

LOL!

 

:D :D :D

 

Ohhh, William, that is funny!!!!

 

Why would processing RAW from the M8 be any different than processing RAW from any other digital camera?

 

Just wondering what you have heard in this regard....

 

Thanks.

 

Allan

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The Forum will probably now "evolve" from discussions about photography into technical discussions of RAW development, something like a mobile phone chatroom...:(

 

I will have to bow to your far greater knowledge of mobile phone chatrooms, William...

 

:)

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Allan,

 

I could tell you..., but I'd have to...:p

 

If you really do know something, do tell... there's no NDA on the M8 anymore.

 

I'd be very interested to know if Jenoptik have contributed to the firmware on the M8 as rumoured and whether the files are significantly different from the DMR files.

 

This could have an influence on Apple's support for Leica-flavour DNG files.

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I used my first M3 in 1969 but used the meter on my Nikon FTn for exposure. For available low light photography and for discreet candids it could not be topped. For photojournalism it was left behind as most of the news photogs I worked with used Nikons exclusively. You couldn't give away M3's and M2's at that time. I bypassed the M4 and M5 and finally purchased an M6 0.85 a few months ago to accompany my M3 and rf lenses. I also purchased a few ASPH and APO lenses. Recently i found an M7 0.85. It's the best of the lot! I just shot one of finest potraits with the M7 in AUTO with Motor M and 90mm AA. The detail is impressive.

For the M7, the shutter is slightly depressed to hold the exposure and as correctly pointed out, all one has to do to make any compensation is change the f stop manually. The AUTO exposures are consistantly dead on for normal range of brightness in the scene. The ability to see the shutter speed in the viewfinder allows one to change the aperture if a different speed is wanted. Its slick and FAST. Coupled with the SF24D and TTL Flash, its almost foolproof straight on flash photography.

With all the hype about the differences between the M3 and the M6 and M7 models, frankly the only real difference I find is rangefinder flair which has now been corrected in the latest M7 and MP. I find no use for an MP other than nostalgia except that it is the camera Leica should have made a long time ago, an M3 with built in expsoure meter. -Dick

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Ivan,

 

Welcome to the Forum!

 

If you search the site you'll find many discussions of the Leica MP.

 

Did you have a specific question about the camera?

 

Thanks.

 

Allan

Hi Allan, what i wanted to know is...what is the real difference between an M6TTL and the MP 2003 ? looks are MUCH nicer, i admit but is it worth exchanging my M6 for an MP ? Regards Ivan

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