I've had an MP since 2015 and it's a very nice camera. I've certainly got used to feel of the battery cover. However, on both my MP and M6 they work loose over time. So I find that I need to check it's not going to fall off from time to time, as it'll cost about £1000 or something silly to replace ;) You are right about the meter, it does need a little bit of a press to wake it up. I think the issue with the meter not working until you wind it on is more about the grey disc on the shutter curtain. The meter uses that to gauge the exposure and if the shutter is not cocked it's not physically in place. I've always found the meter to be pretty accurate, but as film loves light I always err towards overexposure. However, use an M6TTL more than my MP for two reasons. Firstly, the shutter dial is bigger and easier to set. Secondly, I can rewind a film in a few seconds using the crank. The MP takes forever and is not a particularly pleasant experience (although, I have knocked the M6 crank which required some pliers to enable the camera to wind the film on again!). I find the rapid load really easy, just drop the film in and make sure it is seated. Pull the leader PAST the middle of the three prongs. Check it's lined up OK and just shut the back (no need to fiddle with the film and risk damaging the shutter curtain). If the red dots are moving, you're good to go!
Had my Mp since 2003 and a m4p …never once thought or had an issue with that battery cover … had a couple of m6 as well .. sold em off .. again.. no problem with that pesky battery cover ….
Nice review! I'm going on 15 years or so shooting with Ms, and i plan to shoot my M6 till the end, but i'd love to get an MP so i can have 35/50 on 2 bodies. I grip the camera a bit different than you with my right hand, and i constantly hit the smaller glass window with my index finger. I ended up putting a small piece of tape just before it that serves as a que for my finger to rest on. You can do the same thing over the battery door, put a piece of gaffers tape on the door, it will give your fingers some nice grip and stop that annoying problem you're having. Learning how to interpret the leica meter becomes second nature after a while! I remember when i first got mine i was like...this meter is killing me! Happy shooting!
Thanks for the nice comment I really appreciate it, I did really enjoy the MP but that battery door did annoy me. However, I love shooting my M2 and having to meter myself which always gets a bit better results, just practice I guess. Good luck with your M6, amazing camera
Hi Sebastian. In your review you mention not knowing if the meter is spot or center-weighted. Look in the manual and it will illustrate meter coverage for each focal length (it's center field by the way), also the battery cover is a non-issue if you use a half case (of course not everyone does) which also protects the body. You are right on the with soft release comment, I use one on MP and M10 and such a small item makes are noticeable improvement in each. I've shot MP for over ten years and you do get used to its idiosyncrasies after just a couple of months regular use. Nice video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment, this was a review unit so no manual to hand, we literally just get a camera and lens in a box and have at it haha. But thank you for letting me know the metering type, very useful information. I did enjoy the MP, but comparing it to my M2, I love the M2 more (might sound odd) I also loved the M-A so that battery cover just threw me off a bit. However, it's an amazing camera
Hey Seb, I have the MA in Silver Brass.... I can see why it will take a lifetime for me to weather it. It's a rigid paint made to survive wars. I do think the black varient's will age with ease but a lot faster. Both are incredible. Great work. looking forward to more videos. Also the MA doesn't have that grip issue with the battery cover & Half press issue. Would love to chat! Cheer brova
Hey thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the video. I love the Leica M-A SO much! It's one of the reasons I bought my Leica M2... And the fact I couldn't afford an M-A 🤣 The MP is very nice and will serve anyone very well, but it just isn't for me and how I shoot.
I have owned Leica M film cameras since 1975, every model except the M7. I bought a new MP in March 2024 just because I had not bought a new M since 1995. Your review and the issues with the half press and battery cover are absolutely ridiculous. If you don’t want a meter or being able to turn the meter on, get an MA or one of the classic Leicas like the M3, M2 or M4.
![Eminem - Fuel (feat. JID) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5H_CewqpKA/mqdefault.jpg)
I've had an MP since 2015 and it's a very nice camera. I've certainly got used to feel of the battery cover. However, on both my MP and M6 they work loose over time. So I find that I need to check it's not going to fall off from time to time, as it'll cost about £1000 or something silly to replace ;) You are right about the meter, it does need a little bit of a press to wake it up. I think the issue with the meter not working until you wind it on is more about the grey disc on the shutter curtain. The meter uses that to gauge the exposure and if the shutter is not cocked it's not physically in place. I've always found the meter to be pretty accurate, but as film loves light I always err towards overexposure. However, use an M6TTL more than my MP for two reasons. Firstly, the shutter dial is bigger and easier to set. Secondly, I can rewind a film in a few seconds using the crank. The MP takes forever and is not a particularly pleasant experience (although, I have knocked the M6 crank which required some pliers to enable the camera to wind the film on again!). I find the rapid load really easy, just drop the film in and make sure it is seated. Pull the leader PAST the middle of the three prongs. Check it's lined up OK and just shut the back (no need to fiddle with the film and risk damaging the shutter curtain). If the red dots are moving, you're good to go!
Thanks for the comment, the MP is a lovely camera, but I much prefer the M-A and my M2 for my style of shooting - each to there own really :)
Had my Mp since 2003 and a m4p …never once thought or had an issue with that battery cover … had a couple of m6 as well .. sold em off .. again.. no problem with that pesky battery cover ….
Guess it's just me finding it a bit weird, but I loved the M-A and the light metre just isn't for me
Nice review! I'm going on 15 years or so shooting with Ms, and i plan to shoot my M6 till the end, but i'd love to get an MP so i can have 35/50 on 2 bodies. I grip the camera a bit different than you with my right hand, and i constantly hit the smaller glass window with my index finger. I ended up putting a small piece of tape just before it that serves as a que for my finger to rest on. You can do the same thing over the battery door, put a piece of gaffers tape on the door, it will give your fingers some nice grip and stop that annoying problem you're having. Learning how to interpret the leica meter becomes second nature after a while! I remember when i first got mine i was like...this meter is killing me! Happy shooting!
Thanks for the nice comment I really appreciate it, I did really enjoy the MP but that battery door did annoy me.
However, I love shooting my M2 and having to meter myself which always gets a bit better results, just practice I guess. Good luck with your M6, amazing camera
Hi Sebastian. In your review you mention not knowing if the meter is spot or center-weighted. Look in the manual and it will illustrate meter coverage for each focal length (it's center field by the way), also the battery cover is a non-issue if you use a half case (of course not everyone does) which also protects the body. You are right on the with soft release comment, I use one on MP and M10 and such a small item makes are noticeable improvement in each. I've shot MP for over ten years and you do get used to its idiosyncrasies after just a couple of months regular use. Nice video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the comment, this was a review unit so no manual to hand, we literally just get a camera and lens in a box and have at it haha.
But thank you for letting me know the metering type, very useful information.
I did enjoy the MP, but comparing it to my M2, I love the M2 more (might sound odd) I also loved the M-A so that battery cover just threw me off a bit. However, it's an amazing camera
Hey Seb, I have the MA in Silver Brass.... I can see why it will take a lifetime for me to weather it. It's a rigid paint made to survive wars. I do think the black varient's will age with ease but a lot faster. Both are incredible. Great work. looking forward to more videos. Also the MA doesn't have that grip issue with the battery cover & Half press issue. Would love to chat! Cheer brova
Hey thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the video. I love the Leica M-A SO much!
It's one of the reasons I bought my Leica M2... And the fact I couldn't afford an M-A 🤣
The MP is very nice and will serve anyone very well, but it just isn't for me and how I shoot.
I also was wondering if my fingers would be on that battery compartment non stop.
It's a little niggle, but if I had it for a long time maybe I would get used to it.. or if put some tape over it to minimize the effect
I have owned Leica M film cameras since 1975, every model except the M7. I bought a new MP in March 2024 just because I had not bought a new M since 1995. Your review and the issues with the half press and battery cover are absolutely ridiculous. If you don’t want a meter or being able to turn the meter on, get an MA or one of the classic Leicas like the M3, M2 or M4.
I did say in this review I prefer the M-A and I own an M2..
Options are opinions, we might not agree, but each to there own
You said that the SL 50 1.4 Summilux was heavy. You repeated this 100 times. You could have talked a little more about the lens itself.
I did... It's heavy