Leica MP

[arie_haziza]

Good morning,

 

I am thinking to order a leica MP - 72 from B&H. But before I need

some clarification: what is the difference between this camera at

B&H and the one I can purchasses from the a la carte program (in

terms of price, options,...).

 

Also, could you tell me if anything "wrong" was discovered on the

MPs post production.

 

Thanks

[michael j hoffman]

Arie,

 

The a la carte program offers you choices that buying off-the-shelf does not. You can order the MP in any of the three viewfinder magnifications, but since you want 0.72 the off-the-shelf MP would be fine. Other choices include rewind mechanism, mechanical control styling, body covering material and color, frameline sets and choices of engraving pattern (to include custom, personalized engraving). I opted for the MP 0.72X, M7 rewind, Vulkanit, 35/50/90 frameline set and MP serial camera engraving. The difference between my a la carte configuration and the off-the-shelf camera price from the same dealer was about $650 USD. At the prices Leica charges it was worth going the extra $650 to get exactly what I wanted, and I have no regrets even if my bank account does.

 

Some early MPs had viewfinder problems, I think. That seems to have been remedied early on in the production run. Mine works flawlessly.

 

Also, while I love B&H for the bulk of my photo needs, I highly recommend purchasing Leica from a more specialized retailer such as Tamarkin, New York. For the same price you get much more thorough customer service. B&H is great, but they are just not set up to deliver this level of personalized attention; not better or worse, just two completely different ways of doing business. Also, B&H does not participate in the a la carte program.

 

Michael J Hoffman

[bill_marshall1]

Buy <a href=http://www.popflash.com>here</a> and you'll save $200 off the B&H price. Better yet, buy their "mint" version & you'll save more than $1000 off the B&H price. In this case "mint" = new but without the Leica warranty. They also have a la carte available.

[james_.1]

Personally, I'd buy from popflash.com. I like the pricing there.

[bill_marshall1]

James, I agree.

[leon chang]

Is popflash reliable? Experiences anyone?

[Bill Blackwell Images]

"Is popflash reliable?"

 

Absolutely, yes. I don't know B&H, but I know Tony Rose. I have purchased thousands of dollars worth of Leica gear from him over the last few years.

 

He's very reliable, his customers always come first, and he stands behind the stuff he sells.

[rjm photo]

Over the last several years I have bought more than several new Leica lenses from Tony at Popflash. I find Tony and his staff very easy to work with, great communication and a personalized level of service you seldom find. Their prices are the lowest I have found anywhere on new items.

 

I don't mean to rant but they do a great job.

[stuart_richardson]

Tony at Popflash is absolutely fantastic. I have bought a number of things from him, and

since I live nearby I often just go get them in person. Recently I had a recurring problem with

one of the things I bought and Tony wrote to Roger Horn (president of Leica USA) and got the

item replaced. He is a class act. Not only does he have excellent prices, but the service to

match. Since you are considering buying a product with such a small production run, you

might as well buy it from someone with personal service. B&H is great for the the run of the

mill items but for something like a Leica it is much better to deal with someone who you can

go back to and build a relationship with.

[billsr]

Tony Rose is great! I recently bought a Zeiss Ikon kit from Popflash and he telephoned me personally after it arrived to make sure that everything was functioning properly. He is definitely a rare person in the retail world. Best regards, Bill

[seb v.]

I live in london and I regularly buy from popflash. Brilliant service

[vic_.]

Arie, Please also look into Photovillage and Tamarkin

 

www.photovillage.com

 

www.tamarkin.com

 

Both are very reputable and reliable Leica dealers in New York City. Wonderful return privileges, and top notch service.

 

Rich at Photovillage, and Craig at Tamarkin, are legends, with legions of fans.

 

B&H is good for film and chemicals. B&H sells gazillion brands of cameras, and you get the attention that you would at a supermarket. Going in there is like Tokyo on a busy day, when sushi's free. Or a fish market when tuna's on sale.

 

Photovillage and Tamarkin are exclusive Leica dealers (with a few other high end brands), and the service is like Tiffany's. Ken Hansen was the other marquee Leica dealer, when he was around.

 

The thing about Leica is that the prices for new gear is the same everywhere, so service is what differentiates the sellers.

[jtdnyc]

I usually prefer to deal in person with a Leica specialist here in NY, like Rich at Photovillage, but a few months ago I decided to buy a 90 Summicron AA in silver chrome. Tony Rose/Popflash was the only US dealer at which I could find this item new, since Leica has discontinued the silver chrome version. The service was courteous, the delivery was prompt and the price was lower than I have seen the 90AA sell for used.

 

I'm not sure I'd buy a camera without the Leica USA warranty, as a lot can go wrong with a camera over a 3 or 5 year period (however long the Passport is now). But for lenses, Tony seems to have new lenses at used prices. I can recommend Popflash heartily.

[bill_marshall1]

I'll repeat. At popflash, mint = new. Yes, it only comes with a store warranty, no USA warranty. And yes, generally you should get the Leica warranty because a lot can go wrong over several years. But the price difference between Tony's mint MP or M7 & new anyplace else is almost $1100! There would have to be an awful lot go wrong before you used up that price difference in repairs - especially given that there is a warranty for the first year to cover any adjustments needed when it's new out of the box or to cover any short term issues. And as others have mentioned, tony's service is excellent.

[vincenzo_maielli]

The only difference consist in a different chlothes (skin revestement). The tech. spec. are the same. Save your money and buy the normal version, as me. The images are the same, very first quality, in the normal e in the "a la carte" version.

Best regards

Vincenzo Maielli Bari Italy

[michael j hoffman]

"The only difference consist in a different chlothes (skin revestement)."

 

That is simply not true. There are basic, functional differences to be opted at the buyer's discretion (VF magnification and choice of rewind mechanism, et al). The program allows an experienced photographer to tailor a camera to his/her own specific needs. Sure, there are some superficial choices thrown into the mix, available at the buyer's expense. It is a great program because it allows choice without passing the cost onto the customer who doesn't need the choice, and - in Leica terms - is economical for those who do.

 

Michael J Hoffman