Jump to content

MP body ?


azzo

Recommended Posts

x
  • Replies 69
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Black. Silver looks better but black gets beat up better if you use it a lot? The look of a rich tourist camera is unsettling, if not embarrassing. Credibility, what's that?

 

Hey it's Sunday evening. I am entitled to be shallow, or display my insecurities...or whatever it is one does on Sunday night with half a dozen...'Opinionated'...that's it.:D

Link to post
Share on other sites

Personally, I don't like M's which show wear. I take good care of my kit and my M5 and M7 are black chrome for stealth. When I bought an MP .58 for the viewfinder clarity, I bought a chrome USA Demo, NIB. The price was right.

 

The MP is a small, traditional Leica. It does not attract much attention. It's a "fussy" camera to use and will slow you down and make you think. It's fine if you have the time. The M5 and M7 are better professional tools. As it's old-fashioned, get a chrome one unless you like brassing. (My 1972 M5 black chrome still shows little wear.) With care, a chrome MP will look decent for decades. It's an M4 with a better v/f and the very accurate M7 meter but with M3-type controls.

 

Maybe this will help. KB Camera Leica M Finishes

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'd go for the black. The chrome cameras always look like rich mens toys to me - but that's my personnal prejudice ;-)

 

I wouldn't worry too much about one being stealthier than the other. My experience is that not being noticed has more to do with the photographer and how he/she behaves than it has with the finish of the camera. Now an SLR with an f2.8 zoom, that's quite a different matter :-)

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'd go for the black. The chrome cameras always look like rich mens toys to me - but that's my personnal prejudice ;-)

 

I wouldn't worry too much about one being stealthier than the other. My experience is that not being noticed has more to do with the photographer and how he/she behaves than it has with the finish of the camera. Now an SLR with an f2.8 zoom, that's quite a different matter :-)

 

Not my experience at all. A black chrome Leica, carefully managed, goes virtually un-noticed in theatres, clubs, museums and in like places where photography is generally prohibited.

 

Chrome? Rich men's toys? Tell that to all the poor photographers on the German Forum who own MP's! :) Just be prepared to run... :D

Link to post
Share on other sites

As I said I'm stating my preference. If someone wants to buy a chrome MP - or a hammertone one for that matter - that's their decision and they are fully entitled to it.

 

An unobtrusive photographer is just that and I still think it depends on manner of the photographer more than the camera. Personally I've never felt more conspicious with my M2/3 (silver) or my M6 (black).

Link to post
Share on other sites

Azzo, it sounds to me like you're creeping closer to MP ownership!

 

:)

 

I love my black paint MP. It's worn at the advance lever tip and scratched at the eyelets where the strap has hit it. The back is starting to get a little dusty looking from rubbing against my shirt. The edges of the top plate are brassed into a fine pencil-line all the way around.

 

It has the look and appeal of a vintage car that's driven every day, but is still smokin' hot when you need it.

 

It looks loved.

 

Thanks.

 

Allan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Re my MP body thread on this forum...I would like to get the black body but my doubt is only about the brassing.

 

If you don't like brassing, (and I don't), get a black chrome MP A-La-Carte with proper winder, etc. from an M7. Get a strap which won't rub the body. Artisan & Artist* Straps You can also get a different v/f version at no additional cost if you prefer.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have two black paint MP's and a silver M3 - the MP's do show their wear quick than black chrome, but I like the look of brassing. I remember my old Nikon F3HP and how brassed that was towards the end of it's days. I used to be much harder on my equipment...so my MP's are not getting the abuse they would have seen when I first started shooting.

 

They all look good - that's my opinion, even some of the "loud" color options on the configurator look nice in person. I used a loaner MP with the red box calf leather, chrome body...and it really grew on me.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...