MP 0.58 35mm Rangefinder Camera Body - Silver

by Leica

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• ASIN: B00017LUFG
• Item model number: LEIC10303
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 2, 2004

Product Description

Mechanical perfection. Nothing else: The LEICA MP is a tool. Made by hand, created for the photographer's craft. Tailored to the decisive photographic parameters. In compact form, with clean design, clearly laid out. Unobtrusive, quiet, reliable. Concentrated technology for concentrated photography, without distraction by automation. For pictures that only a photographer can see, compose and record. Modern, because it captures the present. Current, because all its features have been optimized. Traditional, because it builds on the accumulated experiences of the pioneer in 35 mm camera construction. Not a photographic whim, but a camera for life. Typically M: The whisper-quiet, purely mechanical shutter of the LEICA MP permits vibration-free exposures. In combination with the compact, extremely fast Leica lenses it discreetly delivers the best pictorial results, even under poor light conditions. In addition, the consistent policy of system compatibility permits the use of virtually every M lens that was ever made. Reduced to what is essential: The camera concept of the LEICA MP is tailored to the decisive photographic parameters sharpness, shutter speed and aperture. The camera thus enables the photographer to concentrate fully on the job at hand, without being distracted by automation. The photographer is entirely free to exercise his creativity directly. 100% mechanical: Everyone who values optical/mechanical perfection and robustness will love the LEICA MP. By means of the use of high- rade materials and complex fabrication processes, the MP is designed for extreme longevity. The MP is independent of batteries and all its operating elements are made of metal, so that it withstands heavy duty use under extreme conditions. The compact manual film advance attachment LEICAVIT-M and the rewind crank are purely mechanical accessories that make the LEICA MP an even gre

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Leica Returns To The Past With This Elegant, Expensive Model, July 21, 2004

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: MP 0.58 35mm Rangefinder Camera Body - Silver (Electronics)

Although I am a fan of Leica rangefinder cameras and lenses, I have mixed feelings about this camera. Without question, it is the best designed, most robust, manual "M" rangefinder camera Leica has built since the original M4 from the late 1960's and early 1970's (Indeed, "MP" stands for Mechanical Perfection.). However, it does not handle nearly as well as a M4 or M6 with regards to rewinding film (The spool rewind knob is the worst designed feature on this camera; Leica engineers opted for this instead of the rewind crank which has been a standard feature of Ms since the M4 stating that the camera would be more rigid, and thus, structurally sound. It's an argument I find very unconvincing.). But film advance is the best I have handled for any M camera, especially with the newly reissued Leicavit rapid winder built for this camera. Aside from these changes and a newly redesigned rangefinder window which is a major improvement over previous designs with respect to flaring, the MP is a modified, improved version of the original M6 camera. Here in this 0.58 configuration, the camera will be best suited for those interested in working with Leica wide angle rangefinder lenses up to 24mm in length (You will still need an accessory viewfinder mounted on the camera's hot shoe for full coverage.) and have trouble seeing through the rangefinder when wearing eye glasses. Otherwise, I would recommend buying either a new M7 camera or considering a used M6 in excellent working condition.