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'New' Leica MP 2003
The MP 2003 is styled much like the 1954 M3, down to the rewind knob and all metal advance lever.
At the PMA 2003 Leica booth I talked with Leica's CEO Mr. Hans Peter-Cohn and the head of production, Mr. Stefan Daniels. Both are very nice people, very sharp, to the point, open minded. and open to all questions. Stefan explained that the M7 and new MP finders were improved by adding another lens to the finder to eliminate stray light, which gets rid of the M6 RF patch problem. Having an older M6 or M7 finder modified to the MP will cost you about $250 at Leica USA. In my opinion this is money well spent if you take your shooting seriously.
I was surprised by the new Leica MP, I like it. My fears that Leica would discontinue the mechanical shutter M happily did not pan out. Initially there were two new MP's, the black paint MP6 .72 limited production for the Asian market, and the MP for regular production world wide. The Asian market MP6 has a different top plate engraving with a serial number starting with MP6 instead of MP, and a traditional vulcanite body covering instead of the a new shark skin like body on the new MP. Predictably the MPP quickly became a sought after collectible. For the new 2003 MP, imagine a M6 classic with
- Noticeably SMOOTHER advance and shutter release over the M6. That's right folks, Leica has answered long time user's criticism of the M6 as being slightly rougher than the classic M3/M2, and has made it MUCH smoother. GREAT ! In my opinion at least, today's Leica MP/M7 M lineup is the best since the M3/M2 combination of the mid '60s -- high praise indeed. The smoothness of the MP film transport and shutter release is a real classic camera pleasure ... but then for $2500 it should be. Yes it is worth it, yet it obviously not for the thin of pocketbook.
- IMPROVED finder with NO occasional RF patch fadeout, ala late M2,M4-2, M6, M6TTL. Apparently a condenser was added to the finder, and in the future it will be offered as an upgrade to the classic and TTL M6. WHAT is M RF patch fadeout? Leica removed a small condenser lens in later production M4-2 viewfinders. It was also absent in the later M4-P, all M6, early M7. Under some circumstances the RF patch will flare out and disappear -- not often, but it CAN happen. The new MP add that small condenser lens to the finder again. Leica will also be offering it as a upgrade to the M6/M7.
- Brass top and bottom plates
- Engraved Leica script on top
- M3 style all metal lever advance
- M3 style rewind knob
- NO Rubber bumpers in the top plate ala M6
- M6 Classic type shutter dial -- rotating the opposite direction of the M7, with B also labeled as OFF
- M6 Classic shorter top plate -- compared to the M6 TTL and M7
- M6 TTL meter for ambient light
- M6 style film loading
- M6 style motor connection
- NO TTL flash metering
- Improved construction internally for a smoother and presumably even more reliable camera.
- New body covering, which does not seem to have an official name from Leica yet. It reminds me of kind of a synthetic 'shark skin' -- but yet much smoother than the 'shark skin' Leica IIIc of the early '50s. It is a nice finish. Time will tell how it wears, but I still prefer the classic vulcanite body covering 'feel.' Yes, I know, bitch bitch bitch.
- Handmade in Solms
- MAP (minimum advertised price) in the US is $2595 for the body, currently the same as the M7
Rewind knob on black paint MP VS rewind lever on black chrome M7
I find it strange that Solms would get so much right about the MP, yet install a cheap looking sand paper like body covering instead of the traditional vulcanite covering.
Free Serial Numbers
October 2003. A new LHSA MP made in grey hammertone, with matching Leicavit MP and 35/2 was introduced. Predicted production 1000, commemorating LHSA 1968-2003. Available January 2004. The hammertone is a particularly handsome finish and should be very popular with collectors. I think this camera will be one of the best looking Leicas ever.
October 2003. A new chrome Hermes MPwith chrome 35/2 and red leather became available. Production 500 units. If I am reading the press release right, this may be the first of a yearly Hermes Leica, as the French luxury company is Leica's largest stock holder. I hope they do a better job on next year's Hermes Leica. This one is badly over priced, and rather plain without the traditional Leitz style top engraving, NO Hermes engraving on the back of the top plate (what were they thinking?), and rather garish reddish body leather. What is right is 1) a bound book style instruction book 2) a magnificent thick chrome body cap 3) a very well done heavily chrome lens shade. Still, if you are looking for good Leica investments, look elsewhere. This one is overpriced and not that well thought out.
July 2004: Leica 50th Anniversary MP grey chrome Anthracite Titanium was made for the Japanese home market, reportedly 400 made with matching Leicavit and 35/2. It has a .72 finder, and classic old style vulcanite body covering. The box is clearly labeled 'Leica M Series 50th Anniversary Model' but unfortunately the body has no such engraving. It's a beautiful camera, but what was Solms thinking in not engraving the body and winder? Only a handful were officially imported into the USA with USA warranty.
For all of my nitpicking, do I like the new Leica MP? YES indeed. I like it a hell of a lot. In this ever increasing age of plastics and disposable camera, it is very refreshing to see Leica go the other direction and introducing an even higher grade mechanical camera. The mechanical MP is unexpectedly outselling the M7. Kudos. Over the last few years under CEO Cohn's leadership, Leica has become much more responsive to customer's input than in recent memory. The improved M product line is looking better than it has in decades.