Leica MP Camera Review And Buying Tips

[@BrandonHinsley]

“Mechanical perfection” is actually the headline on Leica’s webpage for the camera :) thank you for the great video as always!

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Glad you found it interesting.

[@oak299]

MADD I missed this auction. Nice vid.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Yeah, those auctions can move fast.

[@gobgobcachoo]

Had a photography professor lament to me once, "my biggest regret is selling my Leica m4, never sell a Leica."

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

He might be right. We'll have to see.

[@gobgobcachoo]

@@stillshootinginblackandwhite fwiw, he repurchased an M a few years ago.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

That might happen in my case as well.

[@SnapJimmy]

My Fav Leica ever is M7 Silver version, the best chance to get salvagable photos and works just as well as MP or reissued M6. Pure perfection in every way.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Glad you enjoy it. I'm enjoying my M7 as well.

[@mullerzwo7936]

Great video, as always, thanks for sharing. By the way, as far as I know, originally "MP" stands for "Messsucher Professionell“, which means "Rangefinder Professional“ in English. M stands for the German word for rangefinder, Messsucher. And according to a German book about Leica history, the original Leica MP was designed in the year 1956 especially for professional users, therefore the "P" in the name. But "mechanical perfection" sounds even smarter imho and even Leica uses this term in its current adverts. :-) I love my own black paint Leica MP which I bought new last year, it`s really my nicest camera ever. Best regards from Germany, I'm looking forward to your next videos.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Glad you are shooting with the MP. Very nice camera to use. Enjoy the videos.

[@CalumetVideo]

The MP is a great camera. I own a M3 and M4 and will say the Leica’s are in my experience everything in a camera that I need for most of my 35mm photography needs. I agree with the F3, best of the manual Nikons, I use it for shooting macro or longer focal lengths of 90mm plus.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Hey thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying the kit that you have.

[@MichaelP-p7l]

Interesting dilemma. Also sold some Leica Ms to go to 2 1/4” (Hasselblad). However, I sold my M6TTL O.58, M7 0.85 and M6J 0.91 and kept my MPs because of they just felt better! Would obviously love to have kept the film Ms, particularly the M6J, but simply couldn’t bring myself to part with my MPs. Lucky to have a Black 0.58, Sliver 0.72 and Black 0.85. Agree that 0.58 and 0.85 is the way to go if you can for 28mm/35mm and 50mm, though I do take the 0.72 if I’m doing one camera with either a 35mm or 50mm. Simply the best camera for the majority of my 35mm film needs.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

I think a MP with a 0.58 would be perfect, but hard to find. I'm enjoying the 0.58 M7

[@MichaelP-p7l]

@@stillshootinginblackandwhite I think the enjoyment aspect and producing images that you are proud of is what this is all about. Really enjoying your journey of rediscovery as your enthusiasm shines through.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

: )

[@GaryIrving-x5o]

I love my Canon VT Deluxe, a very quiet camera with similar qualities as the Leica. However, for feel of use, snapping and cocking, the Nikomat FTn is easily my favorite (I've owned Leica M3).

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

I've never had the chance to shoot with one of the Canon rangefinders. I've seen a couple in stores but the prices have moved pretty high. Glad you're enjoying it.

[@claudiogomes6283]

Big câmera , excelente video

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Thanks. Glad you found it interesting.

[@nerijus3000]

Why is MP better than M6 and which one is better to choose when buying a new one. MP or M6 reissue 2022?

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Of all of them the M6TTL is the best one. The MP is better than the first M6, mostly because they're newer and parts are available. Between the MP and new M6, it depends which film advance crank and rewind knob you like. The meter on the MP has two arrows with a dot in the centre. This is nicer, but not better, than the original M6. Not sure which way they went with the new M6 regarding the arrows.

[@sailronin]

DON'T SELL IT! Trust me on this. I've sold two MP's over the years to fund other systems and am now on my THIRD MP. Each time I sell one, I regret it and within a year (plus or minus) of sale. I've finally told my dealer that if I come in and want to trade an MP, just slap me. Of course, each one costs more than the one I sold so.....DON'T SELL IT.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Good advice. You're likely right.

[@tonygarrett7214]

I have a Fujifilm X-T2. The mechanical shutter is quieter than the Leica. Switch to electronic shutter and it is completely silent. Great for wildlife and candid shots.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Of course you're right, my Sony's don't make any noise at all but it's not the same experience.

[@tonygarrett7214]

@@stillshootinginblackandwhite You are absolutely right. I think envy got the better of me in my comment. Leicas deserve their reputation for mechanical excellence. I would also suggest that the Olympus OM 2n is a close second to the Leica. I used Olympus cameras for years and they were unique amongst the competing range of smaller SLRs. Still have and use my OM2n. Excellent video by the way.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

The think I always liked about Olympus is the lens quality. They are superb with a film like Kodachrome and back lit.

[@paulatterby7507]

They really are great cameras. I own a few “nice” cameras. Old nikon mechanicals, Hasselblad and Rolleiflex but none are as “tight” and smooth as the Leica MP. The Rollei comes close though.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Yes, they are great. Enjoy them.

[@forgiveness_denied]

Thanks for the rant OG 🎩 So you getting black MP now?🎉

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

A black paint, with a .58 viewfinder would be nice, but it's not going to happen, lol. I might up-grade a lens or two but I think I'm set for Leica for a while.

[@forgiveness_denied]

@@stillshootinginblackandwhite you think summilux worth the price tag? or as amateur I'll be good with voigtlander nokton?

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Everyone gets to draw their own line in the sand. I like the Leica lenses but also have a few Zeiss. Whatever works.

[@MarcoRoepers]

It sounds that you will regret selling this camera

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Oh, I'm sure I will.

[@jasongold6751]

Leica M are superb instuments! But! They suck as a creative tool! That's why in 60's every photographer hopped onto SLR! I kept Leica for snapshots. My main cameras were SLR. Spotmatic, later Nikon-F. I still have them, used regularly.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Glad you're still out shooting with the slr. Lot's of benefits to the slr for sure.

[@jw48335]

Canon New F1 shutter sound beats the Nikon F3, but only by a hair 😁

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

They are nice. Canon wasn't as popular in Canada with the pro shooters until AF came into play. It wasn't because of the cameras but Nikon had one staff member who really understood what pro shooters needed and he personally made a huge difference in the Canadian market. I did work with one shooter who had the F1... nice kit.

[@jw48335]

@@stillshootinginblackandwhite The thing that won me over about the Canon is actually the "Speed Finder" for the F1. Especially now with my older eyes and glasses, there's just nothing like the eye relief on that prism:) The F3HP comes close, but it doesn't rotate like the speed finder does. I'm looking forward to your further adventures sir!

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

I've never used the speed finder. Not sure I've even seen one in the wild. Great piece of kit that makes sense.

[@jw48335]

​@@stillshootinginblackandwhite I only found out about it because David Hancock, one of the longest-running youtube film-centric channels, he has one on his F1. With my declining eyesight, I've been optimizing all the cameras I use. I retrofit my Mamiya C330 TLR with a Hassie 45-degree prism using a 3D printed adapter and swapped the focus screen for a brand new Rick Olsen screen. Ditto for my Bronica - swapped to a Olsen screen. I find the Olsen screens very close in quality to the Hassie Acute Matte. I fit my GW680iii with a blue flash gel over the finder, and that's got the rangefinder patch so I can see it better too. I'm finally at a point where I'm not struggling to focus 🥸

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

Hey that's very interesting. I'll look into those screens.

[@devroombagchus7460]

I got rid of all my Leica cameras, except the MP. When it comes to mechanics and optics, they are superior. When it comes to electronics, they are inferior. This is true for the majority of German industry.

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

You might be right. Enjoy the gear.

[@sputumtube]

I've never understood the obsession with Leica cameras and lenses. Clearly they're beautifully made and well engineered, but the exorbitant price edges them more towards jewellery rather than photographic tools. For example, most of the single-digit Nikons (etc) will do the same job with similar results. I read an article in a British magazine (Amateur Photographer) in the 90's written by a Leica enthusiast who spoke of (and I'm not even joking) 'lens plasticity'! WTF does that mean? Utter nonsense. They're over-hyped and criminally over-priced. Talk about 'The Emperors New Clothes'.. Lol..

[@stillshootinginblackandwhite]

You might be right. They are nice to use though.