In the market for a Leica M as autumn approaches? Should it be the two-year-old M or the new batmobile, the M-P at a £550 premium? It’s a tough choice but, for the moment, my advice would be to get the M-P if you can. This is despite the discounts currently being offered on the M.
The M-P adds the larger buffer, the sapphire screen and the returned-from-the-dead frameline selector lever. Perhaps more important than these enhancements, however, is the stealthy all-black image. The similarly styled M9-P was a huge success by Leica standards and even now this is the model to aim for if you want a secondhand nine. It’s the one that everyone wants and many are prepared to pay a premium of up to £1,000 for the privilege of owning an unobtrusive camera with a sapphire screen. I am sure that when you come to sell your M-P you will find a similar difference and this will more than cover the extra £550 being asked by Leica.
There is another reason to be cautious about buying the current M before Photokina in two weeks’ time. It is just possible that two of the M-P’s new attributes will find their way to the base M. I see no reason for Leica to withhold the larger buffer and the frameline lever from the standard M. The lever was dropped in 2012 because Leica assumed it was no longer relevant. I doubt that cost cutting came into it at all. It was done for different reasons. The design team has now had a rethink and reinstated the lever on M-P. Having taken this step, Leica has probably realised that it makes sense from a production point of view to have just one chassis style and uniform internals, leaving just the tough screen and lack of front branding to distinguish the M-P from the M.
These enhancements could give the M a new lease of life until the next major upgrade. On my wish list for then is a redesigned hotshoe and an uprated processor capable of handling the new high-resolution Visoflex from the Leica T. The VF-2 viewfinder is now falling seriously behind in terms of pixel density, lag and image size and is put to shame by the T’s Visoflex. And while we’re at it, wouldn’t it be nice to put the M on a diet and trim it down to the size and weight of the M9?
Earlier this week I actually got my hands on an M-P, the silver version. While I normally prefer all-black cameras, this silver model was amazingly good looking. The large screw in place of the red dot looks a bit odd but only when your attention is drawn to it. In this finish, with the new chrome frame line window, the M-P reminds me so much of the 60-year-old M3. It is also similar, at first glance to the MP film camera which I had out to compare.
they are both overpriced for what they are. I wouldb’t have any of them and i can get better for a lot less. Its just that leica dot and then paying more for no dot. Mad the lot of you
There are some rumours of a slimmed down M at Photokina but that simply won’t happen. Like you, I’d love to see such a digital M lite. I also agree about upgradeability; as you say, one of the attractions of a film M is that it can be a photographic companion for life. Not so the digital Ms, unless Leica finds a way to upgrade the innards as a service to the loyal!
Regards
John
Mike, George
Completely agree. Never used video on my now-departed M240. I wonder how much is being paid for such features, which I’d sooner not see on an M camera.
John
I think video is there in a mistaken belief that it is necessary. Leica fans buy the cameras for the simplicity and focused operation. If they want to do video they can buy almost any other reasonable camera at a fraction of the price. The danger is that the M is becoming bloated and, like George, I would prefer to see a return to basics. What I would like is a digital M7 with the same form and weight. If this isn’t possible, an upgraded version of the M9.
Leica cameras are built to last but the internals of a digital camera are not. I think Leica would have a winner if they could produce a lasting, well-built camera which would last as long as a film camera but, instead of film, would have a digital recording medium that could be upgraded as sensors and processors improve. Leica is the only company with a chance of succeeding with such a product model.
Mike,
I have a silver M9-P which I love and have given the new M-P a lot of thought. If Leica had left off the video and fewer buttons it would definitely be on my want list.
George
Ah, video. I wonder if anyone seriously uses video on the M. There are far better cameras for video I am told. But I wouldn’t know because, like you, never make videos. Perhaps I should try then I would know what I am talking about.