Leica M special film marking base plate +

Curiosity runs supreme with me these days on a lot of Leica stuff. Here is another:

that special base plate that was typically used with MD/MDa cameras to allow for marking film with special notes, has anyone removed that protrusion, sealed the holes and used it as a regular plate? There appear to be two screws (on the inside) holding this device in place, looks like it can be removed.

In addition, something I may have missed in descriptions, and surely have in photos, MDx cameras had provision with that special plate and I have just realised film gate was modified to accept the marking strips. This breaks film rails and leaves substantial gap on both rails. While surely MD/MDa has been used by many for regular photography, I have to suspect exposed frames have visible soft edge in that area. Is this correct and is it annoying, if one were to print whole frame, no crop, especially with sprocket holes included?



I had an MDa coming earlier, but that deal fell through, seller pulled out at last minute. But my search continues and just now this little thing came up. Shooting super wide with it, to me mostly means while frame idea, at least on some shots. I may be better off with IG instead for planned application.

Hassasin said:

looks like it can be removed.

Click to expand...

Practically everything on a Leica camera can be removed. Can't see why you couldn't take that off.

I doubt the slot in the film rails would have any impact on the final negative except possibly a lack of defined edge to the image where the small gap is. But there must be people on here who use one and can tell you or show you an example of a negative.