j_w36 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 <p>My current dream camera is an M-A. I'd go for an MP but prefer to use a meterless camera. Sunny 16 has always been quite accurate for me, and I feel that the meter will be the first thing to go on the camera in the long run. And if I ever manage to buy this camera, it will be a constant companion for a long time. I'm most curious about the gears, brass or steel? I'm attracted to the new materials, but wonder if the build quality is consistent with the M2/4.<br> Anybody have one?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Es Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg M Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 <p>For the price of an M-A, two M4's so you could have two already mounted lenses (21 and 35, or 35 and 90mm in my case) sounds even better for travel. I also quite often use the self-timers of both my M4 and Zeiss Contax IIa at 3 second delay to trip the shutter when I am hand-holding at low shutter speeds.</p> <p>With an M-A I would also be investing in one of those add-on rewind cranks vs. twisting to rewind the 5 feet of a 36 exposure roll of film. I can probably rewind, unload, reload and be shooting again with an M4 in the time it'd take to just rewind a roll of film using an M-A as-is.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mukul_dube Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 <p>About "build quality", perhaps the difference is not such as to justify the enormous price difference between the M6 and the MP. Functionally there is no difference.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donbright Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 <p>http://www.photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00YCsA<br> This got my attention, and reveals the efforts made by Leica to the MPs credit. There are techniques of engineering incorporated to the MP that proves this is more about an inside job to enhance durability. The MP is a brick inside, and out.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karim Ghantous Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 <p>In my very humble opinion, I would agree with Greg in general and suggest you look at well kept M4 bodies. Even if you got two and got CLAs for each, you'd be laughing. If you decide that you don't want two bodies, sell one. Or you could just get one to begin with.</p> <p>I'm not saying you shouldn't buy the M-A. Heck, if it was well within my budget I'd be tempted to buy one just because. :-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 <p>Get an M2 and don't look back. Best insides of any M IMHO.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus Lazzari Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 <p><strong>Leica M-A </strong>(Just under $5K), a wealthy person's <em>Brand New</em> <strong>Leica M2R</strong> but with:</p> <ol> <li>Multi-coated RF system</li> <li>28mm bright-lines</li> <li>Resetting counter</li> <li>Flash hot-shoe</li> <li>Minus self-timer</li> </ol> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Blackwell Images Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 <p>Don't want a meter? </p> <p>Buy a clean freshly CLA'd M4 for about a third the price of an M-A! ... or an M6 and take the battery out. </p><div></div> “When you come to a fork in the road, take it ...” – Yogi Berra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 <p>Bill, nice pic of best Leica ever!!!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 <p>An M6 with the battery out is still no M2, because some of the M6 framelines are very undersized--notably the 50mm, and the 35mm is a little too small. OTOH, the M6 28mm frameline is good, and the the M2 has not even got a 28mm.<br> An early M4-P has the right size framelines, and does have a 28mm frameline. So an M4-P is worth considering.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_kwok Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 <p>I've handled the M-A twice; the first time at last year's Photo Plus Expo. As others have said, for the price of a brand new M-A, you could get two superb CLA'd Leica M4s with vintage Leica M lenses, or two superb Leica M6s. I'm not entirely sold on the MP, and would recommend to first-time Leica users that they think seriously instead of getting a M4 or M2 - if interested in a M body without a meter and intend on using more than just a 50mm lens - or a Leica M6 if you need a built-in meter.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_w36 Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 <p>I ended up going with a CLA'd M4 for 900 in really spectacular condition. The tulip loading system is superb. I used to practice around the house loading the old style spools while walking around. M4 loading system is just--pop it in, line it up, and go.<br> <br />Now I'm wondering what to do with that extra chunk of change left over... I have a good 35 and 50mm both Zeiss ZM. </p> <p>Anyone have experience with the M2-R? </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahul_glad Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 <p>I know someone with both an M-A and a M2. He says the M2 feels a bit "loose" compared to the brand new M-A.<br> I have an M2 also, but am eyeing the M-A. I'll most likely end up buying a used M-A after a few years. There was a used M-A body on ebay for $3500 a few weeks ago.</p> <p>R</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 <p>What's an M-A?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_watts Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 <p><em>"What's an M-A?"</em><br /> <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#newwindow=1&q=leica+m-a">Google</a>, if you've heard of it, is your friend.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_brown4 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 IMHO, the M6 'classic' with the small shutter speed dial is the sweet spot in the M line-up, considering construction, age, price, features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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