Leica MP

Leica MP

(In Category: Rangefinders)

March 1st 2003 at PMA in Las Vegas, Leica officially announced the new MP, with a MAP for the body of only $2595 at that time. Two versions were introduced initially, a special edition 400 camera run MP6 for the Asian market, and a regular production MP. See MP Page Imagine the classic M6 w/o TTL flash metering, the M6 Classic style shutter speed dial which turns in the opposite direction of the M6 TTL and M7, an old fashioned M3 style rewind knob which you can upgrade to the pleasures of a rewind lever for the small sum of only $175 with the new Leica M-Rewind Crank, all metal M3 style advance lever, real brass top and bottom plates with real engraved Leica script style lettering -- that's pretty much the new MP. Initially it will be offered in a beautiful black paint finish for the .72 finder, with silver chrome available with your choice of .58, .72, and .85 finder magnifications. Serial numbers start with "MP." The black paint .72 will likely become the most popular new MP. Real world, the MP has proven very popular, perhaps the result of pent up demand for higher quality mechanical fit and finish. Until September 2004 at Photokina, standard issue MP's were offered in your choice of .58, .72, and .85 finders. After Photokina 2004, the only standard production choice was the .72. The .58 and .85 finders became available only thru Leica's more expensive new "a la carte" program. Why call it the MP? Leica originally made the now rare classic Leica MP (M Professional) in 1956. I for one will call this camera the "MP 2003" to avoid confusion with the original MP. The new MP stands for "Mechanical Perfection" according to Leica. Sounds like some ad guy who didn't have a clue about Leica history had a bad day, to me. Leica also re-introduced the bottom trigger operated Leicavit M (in either black paint or silver chrome) after an absence of only almost half a century. The new Leicavit M has a MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) of only $995 -- or twice that of the superbly reliable Abrahamsson Rapidwinder (which works in the same way). Contrary to hopes of the Rapidwinder fans, the new Leicavit M is a new Leica design not made by Tom Abrahamsson.