JeffreyTotaro Posted October 7, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 7, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi All: I'm a regular (at least viewer) on the digital Leica forum. I got into Leica with the M8 and now have ordered an M9. It's not that I was opposed to film Leicas, but the stars aligned when the M8 came out so that was my introduction. While I will continue to use digital cameras for my work I cannot stop thinking about getting an MP. I am a former engineer and I just love the qualities of the MP. I figured a way to sort of justify it my mind. Since buying a camera that I will likely not shoot with very much doesn't make sense perhaps I should just get something that will maybe appreciate in value. So I thought about finding a collectable MP, preferably a kit. I would appreciate any input on what I might look for in an MP. I see some limited edition kits out there but I do not know the real value of one from another. I not looking for the top most desirable kit, just one thats not as common as an off-the-shelf unit. Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 7, 2009 Posted October 7, 2009 Hi JeffreyTotaro, Take a look here Interested in a 'collectable' MP. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted October 7, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 7, 2009 Hi, The MP3 is a nice kit but I would say if you are looking for a camera to use then you would almost certainly be better off buying a nice s/h standard model MP. The collector cameras have to really be unused and completely MINT condition to appeal to collectors, if you use it then it's still going to be worth more than a standard camera but you will devalue it. Even better, buy yourself a nice CLA'd M2, for about less than half the price of a s/h MP, and it will certainly hold/appreciate in value if used carefully. If you must have the built in meter go for an M6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB23 Posted October 7, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 7, 2009 To me, you sound like you want an A la Carte MP. A sensible choice IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 7, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 7, 2009 "Special editions" in my opinion are to be avoided because the tenure of their collectors' value in the future is vague... btw, with M6 Leica's former management did exagerate with "special editions" and many, nowadays, simply laugh at them. If your idea is that you will not use significantly your film M, I would advise you to follow one of Earley ideas... go for a mint or well CLAed item of a "classic" : M2 is probably best value for money, M3 is another smart choice ... a first series with double stroke is a collectible that has really a lasting value... the first M Leica, a piece of history; and for an engineer, a beautifully made piece of fine mechanics; even better with a contemporary lens like Elmar or Summicron 50. Then, speaking of old screw mount Leicas... ... well, stop here... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UliWer Posted October 7, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 7, 2009 If we talk about the "MP" we should make clear which MP we mean. In 1957/58 about 450 cameras with the name "MP" were built. All of them - if they still exist - are "collectable" though extremely expensive if you happen to get one in a good condition. It is the "blue Mauritius" of M cameras. Than there was even a "MP2" from the late fifties which was only a prototype for a version with a motor. It was never sold commercially, so there is no real hope to get one of these. The "M6J" which came out together with the new 50mm-Elmar was something like a premature modern MP. It was only made in a limited series, with identical numbers on the camera and lens. The modern MP ("MP3") which is built since 2003 is just a commercial camera like the M6 or the present M7. Time will show wether it will be more collectable than other M cameras. One might wait, if there will be an MP with the engraving "Wetzlar" - after Leica moves from Solms back to Wetzlar again. Perhaps the first series with this engravings will have some collector's value. As has been said before the "collactable" approach to a Leica camera has nothing to do with it's real value: this is to make photos. You can do this with any working body since 1925. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
msweeney Posted October 8, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 8, 2009 When I bought my MP, I got the silver 0.58x finder version because I wear glasses. This one is fairly collectible as far as I know. If you want to order an a-la-carte black MP with 0.58x finder that would be even more rare! On the other hand, I've always liked the look of the "new" MP classic. It's pretty much like an M3... no meter, but it's built like an MP. Here's some pictures from photo.net: I guess there's always the Hermes edition too, but it's waaaay too gaudy in my opinion. Steve Gandy outlines some of the different versions of the MP on his website. Best regards, Mike Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyTotaro Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted October 8, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone, Thanks so much for your thoughtful replies. You've cleared up some questions I had and give me a better direction to go in. Cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffreyTotaro Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted October 8, 2009 Mike: So this 'new' MP classic is different from the current model? It was sold as a kit then with only 500 produced? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted October 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 8, 2009 Mike:So this 'new' MP classic is different from the current model? It was sold as a kit then with only 500 produced? No, they took the meter out and charged more for the privilege. IMHO it is the silliest MP of the lot. A M4 costs a fraction of the price and does everything the MP classic does. A M6 costs a third the price and does more and even a stock MP costs less and does more. All the classic has is traditional script and a disc in lieu of ISO dial. The MP-3 is beautiful, but also very expensive now. I got one in kit form because with the lux asph and leicavit it was about $700 less than a stock Mp and the lens + vite The hammertone I find OK and the Anthracite so-so. A la carte are not really collectible and depending on options may or may not be like pouring money down the drain, but if you love it and can afford it, why not! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkie Posted October 14, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 14, 2009 the rarest of the 'new' MP's is the first release of it: the MP-6. Limited edition for the Japanese market. Mostly black paint, but a few chrome versions were produced. Some with engraved leicavit's. Very rare. The next best MP is the MP-3 edition. The MP 'classic' - aside from the retro 50/2.0, is a complete joke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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