The essence of photography.
It is noteworthy to mention that even in this increasingly electronic age, the Leica MP is a purely mechanical camera that transforms the act of capturing compelling images into something indescribably exciting and sensual. Over 50 years of experience and expertise in the design and construction of exclusively mechanical rangefinder cameras has culminated in the current Leica MP.
This timeless classic embodies the essence of fine mechanical precision.
It is a veritable masterpiece possessing a visceral and emotional quality that captivates any photographer at the very first touch. In this era of accelerating transition, the Leica MP stands
supreme as a camera for a lifetime.
GREATER FREEDOM thanks to spot metering
By definition, photography is writing with light. But Leica M photography means something more – the ability to create images that articulate a recognizable and distinctive character even with the bare minimum of available light.
The Leica MP empowers the photographer to master even the most difficult lighting situations, because the camera never tries to think on its own.
Its selective TTL metering system merely provides precise and comprehensible data to support photographers in their selection of the ideal exposure parameters, ensuring complete creative control.
RELIABILITY with virtually unlimited endurance
The Leica MP is built for long life and lasting value. This is guaranteed by Leica’s commitment to using only the finest materials and the highest precision manufacturing techniques.
Time and time again, the Leica MP has proven its robustness and dependability under the most adverse conditions.
It has been used in sub-freezing environments where cameras relying on batteries cannot function reliably – all while delivering a number of shutter release cycles that hardly any other camera could match.
This matchless quality is also the underlying reason why Leica is prepared to offer an extraordinarily long warranty period of five years for registered users who purchase their camera at an authorized Leica dealer.
MAXIMUM REDUCTION to photographic essentials
The construction of the Leica MP is so uncompromising that it is always totally dependable.
Its incredibly strong and rugged body will withstand the worst conditions without a whimper.
All its crucial control elements are crafted exclusively in metal.
Yes, the MP depends on the skills of the user – but it certainly doesn’t depend on batteries. They are needed solely for metering.
Anyone skilled in estimating shutter speeds and apertures can completely ignore the electronics.
UNDERSTATEMENT clear at first sight
It is well-known that most professionals just love the red Leica dot on their cameras, but for the sake of maintaining a low profile, many mask the telltale dot with gaffer tape.
This is why the Leica MP was manufactured without this iconic emblem right from the start. Of course, knowledgeable owners and aficionados can identify a Leica anywhere without the need for special branding.
The Leica inscription on the top deck is identification enough.
Compact 35 mm rangefinder system camera with mechanically controlled shutter.
Leica M bayonet mount. Lens system Leica M lenses from 21-135 mm.
Viewfinder principle Large, bright line frame viewfinder with automatic parallax compensation.
Viewfinder optical system with reduced stray light sensitivity and optimum visibility of all bright line frames.
Eyepiece Calibrated to –0.5 dpt.
Correction lenses from –3 to +3 diopter available.
Bright line frames activated in pairs: for 28 and 90 mm, 35 and 135 mm or 50 and 75 mm.
Automatically displayed when the lens is mounted. The preview selector can be used to display each of the pairs of frames.
Parallax compensation The horizontal and vertical difference between the viewfinder and the lens is automatically compensated in line with the current distance setting, i.e. the bright line frame in the viewfinder automatically covers the section of the subject that will be captured by the lens.
Correlation between viewfinder and film images At the shortest possible distance setting for each focal length, the bright line frame size corresponds to an image size of approx. 23 x 35 mm.
When set to infinity, depending on the focal length between 9% (28mm) and 23% (135 mm) more is captured by the film than is shown in the corresponding bright line frame.
Magnification 0.72x (for all lenses).
Alternative viewfinder magnifications of 0.85x and 0.58x are available as part of the Leica a la carte range.* Wide-base rangefinder Split and superposed-image ranger finder displayed as a bright field in the centre of the viewfinder image.
Effective measuring basis 49.9 mm (mechanical measuring basis 69.25 mm x viewfinder magnification 0.72x).
For the alternative viewfinder magnifications of 0.85x and 0.58x available as part of the Leica a la carte range, it is 58.9 mm (mechanical measuring basis 69.25 mm x viewfinder magnification 0.85x) and 40.2 mm (mechanical mea-suring basis 69.25 mm x viewfinder magnification 0.58x) respectively.
Exposure metering through the lens (TTL), selectively with working aperture.
Metering principle The light reflected by a metering spot in the center of the first shutter curtain.
The metering spot has a diameter of 12 mm and thus corresponds to approx. 13% of the full film format or approx. 2/3 of the short side of the applicable bright line frame in the viewfinder.
Metering range (for ISO 100/21°) From 0.03 to 125000 cd/m2 at room temperature, normal humidity and f/1.0. For ISO 100/21° this corresponds to EV-2 to 20 or f/1 and 4s (B setting) to f/32 and 1/1000s.
Flashing of the left-hand triangular LED in the viewfinder indicates that the brightness reflected is below the metering range.
Metering cell Silicon photodiode with focusing lens to the top left behind the bayonet.
Manual shutter speed and aperture setting and adjustment using LED light balance.
Manual setting from ISO 6/9 to ISO 6400/39°.
LED symbol for battery status.
LED light balance with two triangular LEDs and a central circular LED to adjust the exposure
Underexposure of at least one stop
Underexposure of 1 / 2 stop
Correct exposure
Overexposure of 1 / 2 stop
Overexposure of at least one stop
Triangular LEDs give the required direction to rotate the aperture dial.
The LEDs flash to warn that the brightness reading is above or below the metering range.
Using accessory hotshoe with center contact and / or standard flash connector socket.
= 1/50s; slower shutter speeds can be used
With 1st shutter curtain.
Separate computer control of flash unit or guide number calculation and manual setting of required aperture.
On LEICA SF 20 / SF 24D, +/- 3EV in 1/3 EV increments or from 0 to –3 EV in 1EV increments with computer control.
Rubberized cloth focal plane shutter with horizontal movement; extremely quiet.
Mechanically controlled.
From 1s to 1/1000s in whole increments.
B for very long exposures of any duration, (1/50s) for flash synchronisation.
Two stage: Power up (activate exposure meter) – Release
Standard thread for cable release integrated.