mrbutterworth Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 I recently asked Leica USA about the possibility of the MP flare fix being retrofitted to the M6. Dave Elwell didn�t know at the time, but was kind enough to get back to me with this: �Here is the answer I got from Germany about the rangefinder. It has not been determined yet if the other cameras can be modified. Right now they are concentrating on getting the new cameras built. The MP rangefinder has an additional lens element on the frame masks, it is cemented on to them. This avoids straylight which has caused the so called "white-out" problem. The solution is quite similar to the M2/M4/M5 glass viewfinder masks. We also have changed the hole and the geometry of the mirror in front of the masks.� Thought this might be of interest to some of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy. Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 Which translates into "No can do".... unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 "Which translates into "No can do".... unfortunately." How so Sandy? Is there any physical reason why they couldn't remove the current M6 element and insert the MP? I can't imagine it would be space considerations. Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 Sounds like it's perfectly possible, but Leica's not stupid. They know that if an M6 can be retrofitted for anything under $1000 a lot of people will do this not only to save money but to retain the modern rewind crank and in the case of the TTL, also the larger and reversed shutter dial. Bt here's the real corner they've painted themselves into: if Leica makes the retrofit available to M7 owners, it will be obvious that it will fit the M6 as well since they have identical rangfinders. OTOH if they don't make it available to M7 owners--these cameras are at most 1 year old!--it will be IMO a major misstep on their parts in terms of customer PR. True, no other manufacturer would give a hoot, but Leica is dependent on a small loyal following which IMO they should not risk alienating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_brown4 Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 MP is Mechanical Perfection. M7 is the electronic option. I don't see the big deal about making the new MP finder better than the old M7 finder. If the M7 buyers didn't like the finder, they shouldn't have bought the camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy. Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 In a perfect world, anything can be done. Well, almost. "No can do" means the costs will be prohibitive for me. "Yes can do" for the rest of you, where money is no object. You lucky son of a gun. Anybody wants to offer me a part time job? I'll do windows!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 If we'd known Leica already planned to produce a new body with the flare fix (Erwin had an MP in his hands 2 years ago, a year before the M7 went on sale)I doubt any of us would have bought the M7 without it. And Leica has claimed that every model was perfection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgh Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 Its really very easy, and something Leica has done since the Leica M4-2 - cost cutting, cutting corners, 'cheaper to make, but just as good', There is a reason the Wetzlar cameras are in demand. As for the MP, you can't complain if they got it right finally. But a fix for the M6/M7... if it ever did happen, think of it as a 'custom' job with appropriate cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_king1 Posted March 12, 2003 Share Posted March 12, 2003 Did somebody say flare? What flare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dford Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 What about the electronics in the MP6. If the metering has a wider EV range/sensitivity then the M6 classic meter. Can the electronics in my M6 classic be replaced by the MP6 unit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 The thing is Jay, Erwin may have had an 'MP' in his hands 2 years ago, but if it was a prototype, nothing guarantees that any or all of the components of 'that' MP are incorporated in the current incarnation. Besides which, people have been buying M6 and M7 since 1984, and if many of the people are to be believed who are complaining in this forum, the viewfinder flare has been a major issue in compromising the performance of the camera? No doubt the MP will therefore be essential and sales should be excellent! But I really suspect that after a little crying and wailing many of those people will go back to using their M6's, and once a year, regular as clockwork, continue to notice an example of flare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristian dowling Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 This was already mentioned in Erwin Putts' review. but thanks anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walt_delesandri Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 OK, now I'm off my butt and typing again.... First, the damn M4-P/M6/M7 finder is BRIGHTER than the M4/M2/etc....yes, EVEN if they're clean....yes, it flares more, a bit more, under the oft-mentioned dark room/bright light situation....and (more importantly than any flare issue)... the post-M4 rfs NEVER hold their adjustment the way my M2/3/4/5 did....there's your trade-off.... Personally, I prefer the overall "gestalt" (SP?) of the M4.... the "peak" of the bell curve as I call it....(I still have my M4)...but in the later cameras you get brighter framelines, contrastier finder, perhaps a bit brighter as well, flare that has NEVER affected your ability to photograph...and a price that in adjusted dollars is CHEAPER than a late M4 was in the seventies. Oh, for you weenies, there's a built in meter......and even AE in the M7.... I get a kick out of folks today...our students here at the School of Visual Arts can't IMAGINE a camera without AF... or one with a wind lever, for that matter.....and we're still discussing minutae over a 50 year old camera. (which is what ALL M's are!!) Walt (in need of spring break.....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin m. Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 "But I really suspect that after a little crying and wailing many of those people will go back to using their M6's, and once a year, regular as clockwork, continue to notice an example of flare." Have you ever heard the expression "kill your darlings?" It refers to the editing process, and how you must throw away pretty things you've created that nonetheless don't work. While it's a fine thing to try and imagine what others must be experiencing and to try to get it into words, the mockery and condesension in your post undermine your writing. You are too impressed with your own cleverness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 Kevin, there are so many anal retentives in this forum that it beggars belief. But I don't actually believe that all those complaining about viewfinder flare are genuinely concerned. That is, they wouldn't even know about, or register a problem, if a vocal minority didn't constantly whine about their own little bugbear! These posts go into an archive, and I for one, but not I imagine on my own, feel that minority reports and 'crying' should be put into context. The research for all of the potential and actual Leica users out there should not be swayed by a very few people. So where are you coming from? Anal retentive or censor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin m. Posted March 13, 2003 Share Posted March 13, 2003 "But I don't actually believe that all those complaining about viewfinder flare are genuinely concerned." ...and clairvoyant, too! If you don't experience flare, then good for you. Some people do, some don't, for whatever reason. I love my M6, but I experience flare damn near every time I put it to my eye. My M2 didn't do that, neither does my Hexar RF. Now, miraculously, neither does the MP. Leica could have fixed this problem long ago had they wanted to. Bean counters won out, apparently. I expect more from an expensive camera like the Leica than I do a Canonet. I guess that makes me 'anal.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_barnett2 Posted March 14, 2003 Share Posted March 14, 2003 I'm very glad you have found the MP so much better than the M6 regarding flare. I look forward to getting mine and will judge from experience. Clairvoyance rules OK ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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