Would be fascinated to know: How many new Leica MP film bodies are sold, worldwide, each day?

[johnha]

MP is a M6TTL without TTL-OTF flash metering, a retro style pain in the but rewind crank and retro appearance. It looks fabulous, if it only had a M4, M6 rewind crank it would be perfect. A modern interpretation of the original MP, black paint on a brass top cover, absolutely beautiful.

For those that want to use their MP efficiently, you could buy an accessory rewind crank for it (with the usual Leica pricing) to make it more likea M4:

I bought my M4 hoping Leica M will always have service support unlike some other mechanical cameras.

 

[AgX]

In my perfect world, I think Leica should just commit to keeping any and all Ms running by either stocking or fabricating new parts. Commit to restorations and CLAs. That's a lot more useful than brand new film cameras for people who just haaaave to spend $4 grand on something shiny and untouched.

How is the spare parts situation at Leica now for old M models?

 

[mshchem]

Looks like the MP only offers the standard 0.72 finder, unlike the original MP and the M2, which had a 0.85x max frame lines for 35mm. M3 was 1x. Part of the reason the M3 is loved is the 1X bright finder. Anything wider than 50mm required goggles or a separate finder.

 

[BradS]

Geeez, the Leica MP (and more so the MA) is beautiful! I wouldn’t change anything about it but they apparently offer all manner of customization.

They’ve hit it out of the park with the MA.

Seems like Leica are the only company now producing a serious 35mm camera. I applaud them!

The price....seems outrageous but, I guess it is about one or two months salary....just like its ancestors were. The company’s commitment to produce parts and provide service over the very long term is a very compelling argument in favor of owning a Leica.

Now, to find a few ‘extra’ thousand $$ laying around.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

What Patrons those buyers are?

I has been indicated above that the vast majority of film users is not interested in buying a new Leica of that sort. Nor do Leica make a low-priced film camera. Thus what are they funding?
The Leica digital cameras sell much better, they do no need crossfunding from film camera sales. Nor does the Barnack Prize.

I have seen APUG, RFF members buying them. Looks like regular people to me. I bet some guns, fishing roods, kayaks are in the same price range. Not to mention much higher in cost and maintenance bikes, bicycles and boats.

 

[AgX]

Yes, but my actual question was, what kind of patronage those apply who indeed buy a film Leica.

 

[darkosaric]

M-A does not look so expensive to me, when I look at the price of repair of the old M bodies here in Europe (~1000€ after tax for shutter repair and CLA). You buy it because you can, not because you need it. Emotions and happiness are what counts in buying new film M body, not best deal for the money. For best deal for money you buy for example Nikon F80 and 50mm f1.8 AF-D (which I have )

 

[logan2z]

Emotions and happiness are what counts in buying new film M body

+1. I wanted an M film camera for a long while and decided that new was the best option, despite the relatively high price. I went for the M-A and have to say that I haven't regretted it for a second. A beautiful 'thing' that just feels so right to me and never fails to bring a smile to my face. I did later buy an M4 to have a second body - even I found it hard to justify two M-As, although the thought did cross my mind once or twice

 

[NB23]

Looks like the MP only offers the standard 0.72 finder, unlike the original MP and the M2, which had a 0.85x max frame lines for 35mm. M3 was 1x. Part of the reason the M3 is loved is the 1X bright finder. Anything wider than 50mm required goggles or a separate finder.

Wow, so many false informations in your post.

 

[darkosaric]

Looks like the MP only offers the standard 0.72 finder, unlike the original MP and the M2, which had a 0.85x max frame lines for 35mm. M3 was 1x. Part of the reason the M3 is loved is the 1X bright finder. Anything wider than 50mm required goggles or a separate finder.

There is "Leica a la carte", you can order any finder with new MP or M-A. M3 has 0.91 finder, and it is my favorite body. M2 never had 0.85 finder.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Yes, but my actual question was, what kind of patronage those apply who indeed buy a film Leica.

I'm not sure I understand. Applying patronage? I have purchased, sold, send for service, parts some film Leica.
Did I applied some patronage?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

There is "Leica a la carte", you can order any finder with new MP or M-A. M3 has 0.91 finder, and it is my favorite body. M2 never had 0.85 finder.

Not anymore.
https://lhsa.org/2019/05/leica-camera-ag-discontinues-a-la-carte-program/

 

[logan2z]

Not anymore.
https://lhsa.org/2019/05/leica-camera-ag-discontinues-a-la-carte-program/

I keep hearing that but some form of customization program is still mentioned on the Leica USA web site. No finder options, though.

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/M-System-Service/Redesign

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I keep hearing that but some form of customization program is still mentioned on the Leica USA web site. No finder options, though.

https://us.leica-camera.com/Photography/Leica-M/M-System-Service/Redesign

Body finishing, leatherette and engraving. Plus, repair form. Nothing about ordering different OVF.

 

[darkosaric]

Not anymore.
https://lhsa.org/2019/05/leica-camera-ag-discontinues-a-la-carte-program/

That is unfortunate. Now 0.85 finders will be even more expensive.

 

[logan2z]

Nothing about ordering different OVF.

Right. Not sure how expensive it would be (probably a lot) but I assume one could have someone like DAG or YYE perform a finder swap on an MP or M-A. I've heard of people doing this on M4s etc.

 

[AgX]

I'm not sure I understand. Applying patronage? I have purchased, sold, send for service, parts some film Leica.
Did I applied some patronage?

I did not come up with that patronage thing. See post #24:

Think of the buyers as Patrons of the Art of Photography.

What Patrons those buyers are?

I has been indicated above that the vast majority of film users is not interested in buying a new Leica of that sort. Nor do Leica make a low-priced film camera. Thus what are they funding?
The Leica digital cameras sell much better, they do no need crossfunding from film camera sales. Nor does the Barnack Prize.

Am still seeking an explanation...

 

[Sirius Glass]

That is unfortunate. Now 0.85 finders will be even more expensive.

If you love the Leica range finders as much as I love the Hasselblads, the additional cost is small and worth it for the pleasure of using a very fine camera. It is just part of the cost of doing business. I have always like the Leica M series and how it feels to operate, but I just prefer slrs.

 

[film_man]

If you love the Leica range finders as much as I love the Hasselblads, the additional cost is small and worth it for the pleasure of using a very fine camera. It is just part of the cost of doing business.

Exactly that.

 

[mshchem]

There is "Leica a la carte", you can order any finder with new MP or M-A. M3 has 0.91 finder, and it is my favorite body. M2 never had 0.85 finder.

Leica a la carte is dead. Last orders had to be in by June od this year. OK magnification numbers I may have wrong. My M2 had 35mm bright line for max, M3 had 50mm bright line max. All MP and MA going forward are 0.72, this is from Leica.
The al a carte is still on the Leica website but it's dead.
I've got a M6ttl with a 0.85 finder. Best camera Leica ever made. That ought to stir things up!

 

[logan2z]

I've got a M6ttl with a 0.85 finder. Best camera Leica ever made. That ought to stir things up!

Sh*t disturber

 

[mshchem]

There is "Leica a la carte", you can order any finder with new MP or M-A. M3 has 0.91 finder, and it is my favorite body. M2 never had 0.85 finder.

I stand corrected M2 had 0.72 with 3 frame lines.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I did not come up with that patronage thing. See post #24:

Am still seeking an explanation...

Thank for pointing to #24. I'm not sure what Art of Photography is, but I have books with photos taken by film M. They are documentary and nice photos books. I'm not sure if common practice of those who are buying new film M will have same outcome. I knew few new film M users, but they are not into documentary or street photography as old masters were. Even old masters of street photography with film M are not so much with film M anymore...
And many film M photogs who contribute to photography are using old film Ms or else.

OK. I knew one new film M photog who is in the Art of Photography.
https://www.leica-camera.blog/2016/03/19/representing-rural-life-russia/
I have this book and have been on its exhibition (large prints from this book).

 

[TheRook]

I couldn't care less if Leica stopped making new film cameras altogether. I get why they do, fools and their money and all that. They don't need to though. Want a meter? M6, M7. Don't want a meter? M3, 2, 4, 4-2. 4-P. SO many choices.

A good M4 is just as good as a brand spanking new MA, at a fraction of the cost. Plus it has a history to it, and my personal conspiracy theory is that Leica today does not exactly make them like they used to.

In my perfect world, I think Leica should just commit to keeping any and all Ms running by either stocking or fabricating new parts. Commit to restorations and CLAs. That's a lot more useful than brand new film cameras for people who just haaaave to spend $4 grand on something shiny and untouched.

I'll keep shooting my F6 and LX now.

For some people, $4,000 is merely pocket change. They earn that in a day or less. And those are the very people most likely to buy a new Leica MP - Leica's target customers.

 

[logan2z]

A good M4 is just as good as a brand spanking new MA, at a fraction of the cost. Plus it has a history to it, and my personal conspiracy theory is that Leica today does not exactly make them like they used to.

I have an M4 (that has been recently CLA'd by a respected indy Leica technician) and an M-A that I purchased new just over two years ago. I love the M4, great camera from the golden age of film and Leica. But IMHO the M-A is every bit as good in terms of build quality and feels even smoother in operation.

I personally think it's a myth that "Leica doesn't build 'em like they used to". I suspect that most of these statements are internet hyperbole and aren't based on personal experience. No argument from me that Leica charges premium prices for their new cameras and one can buy a superb classic M for a fraction of the cost. But some people want something brand new with which they can make their own history.