Leica M-A or MP (film)?

[JermsView]

If you could only have one which would you have?

 

[bluesphotog]

just bought an mp, the deciding factor for me was the mp having a meter. either one, you cannot go wrong....film is not dead......

 

[Haikoman]

I'd go for the MP as well due to the meter but I've been shooting sunny-16 with good results lately so a meterless camera isn't such a crazy idea as it once seemed.

 

[Eric Boe]

Owning and using both, I think the MP's meter gives it the advantage as a user's camera, although there is a minute difference in brightness advantage in the M-A, probably because they don't have to overlay the reflection of the metering display.

Eric

 

[Godfrey]

I'd go for the M-A to eliminate the in-viewfinder LEDs. I'd rather use a hand-held incident meter or a top-mounted external reflectance meter with an M.

G

 

[meagre offerings]

If you could only have one which would you have?

either, then i would sell it and get the `Q`.

very best

pc

 

[Godfrey]

If you could only have one which would you have?

either, then i would sell it and get the `Q`.

So I guess you enjoyed the loan of the Q ...

G

 

[meagre offerings]

If you could only have one which would you have?

either, then i would sell it and get the `Q`.

So I guess you enjoyed the loan of the Q ...

G

Very much so Godfrey, it was a great gesture by Peter to loan me his camera.

Very best

Pc

 

[John Brawley]

Just went through this exact dilemma

I own an M7 and an M3 already, both of which I use.

I went for the MP about a month ago, basically for the meter. Aside from the annoyance of the meter / dial indicating the opposite direction to the M7 / M digital meters it's a beautiful camera and I love it to bits so far.

JB

 

[Haikoman]

Off topic but i'm curious, if you already have an M7, what made you also pick up an MP?

 

[paratom]

If you could only have one which would you have?

I went MP since I did want the meter in camera. Also I found a mint used MP for a lower price than what I would have to pay for an M-A, and I dont mind using a used camera.

So for me clearly the MP.

 

[John Brawley]

Off topic but i'm curious, if you already have an M7, what made you also pick up an MP?

It's complicated...;-)

I always liked the idea of the mechanical shutter M, but with a meter. I had the M7 first, then got an M3 because one came across my path and it was cheap enough. Both were second hand. I liked the M3 a lot, but missed the meter.

I went for an MP on EBAY that went cheap and ever since missing out on it I've wanted one. I also like the finish and look, but that's of secondary importance.

I found the rangefinder patch on the M7 quite difficult to use, the most difficult of all my M cameras. It flares very easily in backlight and I find critical focus hard to get right in low light. Far harder than the other M's, film or digital.

I'm about to send my M7 in to see if the patch can be repaired or improved, because it honestly has been really hard to use in high contrast.

The MP has been really great so far. I've had about 10 rolls through and have found focus is much improved on it.

JB

--

John Brawley
Cinematographer
Sydney Australia
www.johnbrawley.com

johnbrawley

ramblings of a cinematographer

johnbrawley.wordpress.com

 

[SphericalAberration]

I chose the M-A instead of the MP ( as a upgrade to a M6 ) :

Shorter shutter release stroke ( as no meter activation stage )

Matt black ( I disliked the chrome ring surround the release on the gloss black MP )

I found M6 LEDs distracting indoors at night.

Clear viewfinder and better frame lines ( no gaps for the meter )

No plastic ISO dial

No meter and estimation of light works well with negative film

Been really happy with the M- A and shooting a lot more film because of it.

 

[Socialseb]

I have saved up $5k and have never owned a leica. I will shoot either 35 or 50, but will buy a portrait lens as well for photoshoot gigs.

I want a camera that will require the least repairs.

i heard the MA has all metal parts, unlike other Leicas. Does that make it better?

is the MP not already supposed to be ‘perfection?”

you see, to a leica noob, all the marketing makes things confusing. I just want to buy the best body i can for $5k

btw, i don’t NEED to have a meter, and the 5k is for body only. Lenses i already have bc i own a sony a7ii with m-mount adapter.

please help guys!

 

[John Brawley]

I have saved up $5k and have never owned a leica. I will shoot either 35 or 50, but will buy a portrait lens as well for photoshoot gigs.

I want a camera that will require the least repairs.

i heard the MA has all metal parts, unlike other Leicas. Does that make it better?

is the MP not already supposed to be ‘perfection?”

you see, to a leica noob, all the marketing makes things confusing. I just want to buy the best body i can for $5k

btw, i don’t NEED to have a meter, and the 5k is for body only. Lenses i already have bc i own a sony a7ii with m-mount adapter.

please help guys!

I own an MP, M7 and M3.

I really love the MP, it's my favourite really but the only thing that irks me is that the shutter speeds on the dial go the other way to the modern Digital Leica's and the M7, and that the dial itself is much smaller. The M-A is the same so i guess it's moot for this particular question.

JB

 

[Doug D]

I owned an MP and it was a fine camera. Had the MA been available at the time I still would have gone for the MP for the meter. If the LEDs or meter somehow detract from your experience, you can take the battery out of the MP, and you effectively have an MA. Same is not true of the M7.

 

[bosjohn21]

if memory serves neither of these cameras offer any thing leica offers since the M4. I would save a bundle on a minty or excellent plus used very nice m4 or six or a minty m 4-2. The M2 only gives up the rapid load device but it can be added or you can spend big bucks for the M2-r which has it . All these cameras come primarily with the .72 finders though the late M6 offered .85 and and .58 for wide angle use as even eye glass wearers will be able to see the twenty eight frame line easily.

there is nothing really different enough between you choice to matter toss a coin

 

[Lu1Wang]

I always wanted a M2/3/4 for the sentimental reasons, but it's a bit hard to justify when my Bessa R3M and T work exceptionally well already

Gonna stick to iiif for a little longer I guess to fill my film Leica thirst I suppose...

 

[Godfrey]

I have saved up $5k and have never owned a leica. I will shoot either 35 or 50, but will buy a portrait lens as well for photoshoot gigs.

I want a camera that will require the least repairs.

i heard the MA has all metal parts, unlike other Leicas. Does that make it better?

is the MP not already supposed to be ‘perfection?”

you see, to a leica noob, all the marketing makes things confusing. I just want to buy the best body i can for $5k

btw, i don’t NEED to have a meter, and the 5k is for body only. Lenses i already have bc i own a sony a7ii with m-mount adapter.

please help guys!

Hmm.

I paid $720 for a 1978 Leica M4-2 body, sent it to my technician to have the viewfinder/rangefinder cleaned, collimated, and calibrated for accuracy ($100 fee).

I've been using that camera since 2012 now with no worries whatever about the body. I bought a Leicameter MR-4 a few years back that works well, but actually prefer my hand-held meter (Sekonic L-358) overall.

I don't know what non-metal parts might be in the M4-2. Nothing has broken so what does it matter?

G