Leica MP: Hype-free overview

In this week's video, I talk about the feel of the camera, followed by some comments on the Carl Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2 Planar.

I have a lot of cameras in my collection (*cough* *cough*), and the Leica MP was the most expensive one by far. Don't believe the hype! Just roll your eyes when you read Leicas described as "the ultimate," "the best," "mechanical perfection," "legendary," etc. It's a nice, well-made camera, but that's not what makes it special. The unique value of a rangefinder (such as a Leica M, Nikon S, Voigtländer Bessa, Konica Hexar RF, Zeiss Ikon ZM, etc.) is having lenses that you can *scale focus by feel* (which hardly anyone knows how to do), and a reverse-Galilean viewfinder (which shows *everything in focus*). If you're feeling the itch for a Leica, either scratch it or forget about it, because it doesn't really matter which rangefinder you choose as long as a 35mm rangefinder is the right tool for your immediate purposes!

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Addendum, or "I forgot to talk about a lot of things"

First, the shutter button for metered Leicas has two stages. The first half-press moves about 1mm and turns on the meter, and it's pleasantly springy. The second stage is smooth and trips the shutter when you get down to the bottom of the "bowl" surrounding the button. I like the tactile feedback that lets you know when the shutter will be triggered, and that's why I don't use a soft release.

Second, the shutter speed dial is a single-piece dial like the Pentax SL, so it has a great solid feel without any wiggling. The sound is lower pitched and almost "woody." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I also forgot to mention that the rangefinder spot will "ghost" out and the double image will move around if your eye isn't centered, but that's true for all rangefinders.

User manual

LHSA - International Leica Society

Profile at Camera Quest

Profile by Stuart Richardson

Read about the original MP at MIR

Frameline coverage comparison: M2, M4-P, M6/M7/MP

Dante Stella, "Does a rangefinder camera make you a better photographer?"

Dante Stella, "Leica M: that distinct feeling of ennui"

[myoung]

Great and honest review, none of the hyperbole usually associated with Leica cameras.

[maxwellwellmax]

I wanted an M7 right after highschool but the $2, 000+ price tag back then made me pause lol. Now that I can afford a $2, 000 Camera, Leica MPs cost $5, 200 lol.

[spangancayco]

Could you use the whole viewfinder for 28, or would an external viewfinder be better for glasses-wearers?

[Fleet]

Don’t stop but this was not a great video! Keep working I’m sure you’ll get better