Is this a Real Review of the Leica M-A, or Not?
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- So I decided to do a review of the Leica M-A, but then I panicked. What was I reviewing? Image quality? Nope. On a film camera, it's more about the lens and film you're using. The camera body is just a light-tight box with an aperture to allow in light. If anything, you're reviewing the features of the box, which the M-A basically doesn't really have... or at least nothing to brag about. Shutter speed dial, shutter button, lever, film counter, rewind knob... not much more than that. So what am I reviewing? My feelings. Yup. Check out the review to find out more!
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Leica M-A Typ 127 (black):bhpho.to/2wn4eHJ amzn.to/2gdT0BC
Leica M-A Typ 127 (silver): bhpho.to/2wngqs8 amzn.to/2wcDvNV (very sexy)
Leica 35mm f/1.4 ASPH Summilux M: bhpho.to/2wIeFIK amzn.to/2geZYpF
That would be a cool marketing slogan:
"The Leica M-A. There is no 'off' switch."
ha ha, good one. I'll let them know :-)
Ha ha ! I love that one ! :D
I have handled and M-A and,yes,it is a gorgeous bit of kit but somehow it doesn't feel quite as special as my faithful M4 which I'm never without.Wouldn't say no to one though.
How has your use of the MA been up until now, 2023? Film has increased in price quite a bit, is that slowing you down? It's harder to get slide film developed now. Using digital any more?
Get an M4-2 if you want what is essentially the same camera. Very under-rated... Even more so are Cosina Voigtlander's rangefinders; much more affordable as well.
Alvin Paringit for sure, it's a luxury to buy this fantastic but very expensive camera!
+Alvin Paringit My Bessa R2a broke. My Leica M6 replacement is still working...
(just my experience, all cameras break)
+Adam Eronen Piper That's a shame, I enjoyed my Bessa R before selling it. I like the weight and feel of my M4-2 as opposed to the CV rangefinders.
Question regarding your R2a, - was the advance lever able to spring back into place mid-stroke? I know for the Bessa R, if the advance lever wasn't pulled the entire stroke then it would just stick out - that is ultimately why I sold it.
I think it did, although I can't remember it being an issue so I'm not certain.
My R2a had a shutter fault were the camera would be cocked and ready to shoot, but the shutter wouldn't fire correctly, locking the shutter button and the advance lever. I had to remove the bottom plate to release it and try again. it happened one in every 100 shots to start with, then 1 in every 30, then almost every time.
I had the UK's top repair guys take a look, no-one could fix it without having to replace the entire shutter mechanism and even then they couldn't tell me if it would fix the issue. So instead of buying another one, I opted to grin a bear parting with the money for a very good condition M6TTL and a full service. I could't be happier and I will never go back
I also sold my CV glass to buy Konica M-Hexanon lenses. I like their colour rendering. The CV stuff is a bit flamboyant, and the Leica stuff is a touch too contrasty for my taste.
What lenses are your 'go-tos'?
Thanks for the review but also for the recommendation on the light meter wheel
willbaren ya I love the app. Perfect way to keep record of exposure of image as well as geotag location as well
I have an M4-2. Great camera and I will never part with mine.Also use M-A, M3 and M6TTL.If I could only have one it would be the M-A and M3.Just cannot narrow it down further than that.The M6 is a delight and I am glad that I do not have to make a choice.If you cannot stretch to the Leica's then the Bessa's get you the experience and ability to use some great Leica, Zeiss and Voightlander lenses. Do not ever let anyone lend you a Leica because you will never want to return it.If I was starting out again I would go for an M2 as they seem to offer the most affordable 'M' experience. Unless its just had a service budget for a CLA. You will never know how good the old M's are until they have had a service by an expert.
Nice video !
I like the combo (compactness) in your M-A video, what is the lens ?
I was using my Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm f/2 lens. It's super light and small and very sharp. It renders more like a Leica lens than a Minolta lens. There is a Leica equivalent lens but without the multi-coating on the lens, which is preferable.
Liked for the effort of reloading the film. Something I didn't know was possible
h3csc yes, old school trick when we couldn't just switch ISO, white balance or film type. If you knew your camera well, you can avoid losing any frames, but it's always safer to advance an extra frame just in case :-)
Could I maybe please have some rolls of film?
shadi13 no problem. You live in town? Contact me via email and we can arrange a time and place to meet Remember this is expired (10 years expired) stock. Don't expect it to be like new Tri-X. :-)
Thanks for the review Take. I've never used a light meter before since I've always had cameras that meter for me but I wonder, how often do you use one when outside? Every scene?
SunriseInTheMidwest good question. As long as the light remains the same, it's pretty consistent. It comes down to understanding the EV levels of a scene. Once you get use to it, it's pretty easy. Some even use the sunny 16 rule and can shoot without a meter, but this usually comes from only shooting from a single ISO all the time. For me, I typically use my iPhone app because I'm use to reflective metering. I meter for the sidewalk and after that, I know to add 2-3 stops in the shadows, and minus 2 stops for the sky. I check once in a while to make sure I'm accurate, and 90% of the time I am. I hope this helps?
bigheadtaco What iPhone app do you use for metering?
Jimmy Trinh Light Meter Wheel by David Quiles. Cool guy and very cool app.
In sunlight set your aperture to f16 and select the nearest shutter speed to the speed of the film,eg. ISO 200 1/250sec. When there's no sunlight use your meter just to be on the safe side. I meter the darkest part of the scene that I want exposed correctly then stop down 2 stops eg. meter reading f5.6, set at f11. This will give you an average reading. Read up about how to use the Zone System as it can be very useful. Most print films have a wide exposure latitude so you be can be little bit off but still get usable negatives. Also don't disregard the little exposure guide that comes with your film...It's surprisingly accurate!
Thanks to the X100T I spotted an X100S for £449 the other day. Soooo close to picking it up, but I resisted :)
A Torrent of Videos Even the original X100 has a legion of fans. The X100S is a very slick camera and would not hesitate to buy it at the right price. You're right though, the X100S rarely dropped in price since it was so popular and only because of the X100T has it recently dropped in price.
why do you shoot rangefinders with your left eye. You cover your right eye doing that.
No mec Lock on shutter that would be a shitter. Keep the camera the same if you waste a frame well then there goes a frame next time you'll be more careful...or at least till you forget and hit it again ( I have done this while using my M4 but never the M-A ). The mechanical lock would look kinda ugly in my opinion. I shoot M4s and recently the M-A if there would be one thing I would add to the camera it would be a self timer. It served really no purpose until a project arose in Art school and I needed to do self Portraits but I always was glad it was there because it secures my grip to the camera. Never have I ever feared of dropping my M4 but with the M-A I need to wrap the strap around my wrist in order to feel "safe" running around with the camera. This camera's a dream and it really does enhance my own creativity not being bombarded by useless "features" that would either never be used, or just immediately turned off. The lack of options to many would seem just horrible - how can I ever make a picture without AP, or auto ISO? Well thats the beauty, this camera is complelty stripped down to a bare bones film camera with your own eye and knowledge of light to make an image and if you fail its truly on you ( what a beautiful thing ). Also my finder is definitely brighter and never flares, but I can only compare this to the M4/M240.
Aigooo how many Leica camera do you have? What a beauty beast
I don't own any Leica cameras, although I do have an M mount camera and lenses.
dude...just get stuck into it. 1:45 & you start there.
Can you share some of your film stash with me? Just purchased my first Leica.
What’s an “official” Leica reviewer?
Nice, but if you don't have $5000+, get a M2 like I did, great review, cheers.
Paul Dove thanks for the reminder. Yes, I should have mentioned that. The most common film M body I run into on the street is the M2 and M3 (followed by M6). I'll have a Leica M special video sometime soon. I'll invite some special guests and we'll have a discussion of the benefits of the M cameras, both film and digital.
bigheadtaco Awesome , can't wait.
***** M2 is actually an amazing camera. It's built like a tank and reasonably easy and cheap to repair since the parts are readily available. The M-A is just tighter feeling since it's brand new. Thanks for your comment. Happy shooting!
***** M3 is probably the best M-mount rangefinder that Leica ever made. Many would argue the M2 is similar, although it was built as a cheaper alternative to the M3, although currently they sell for similar prices. The older Leica's were built to last longer that's for sure, but production QC is better today.
The yashica electro 35 gtn that I own has a shutter lock the is exactly what you want on a leica.
Congrats for your reviews, they're very nice and always helpful, keep up the good job!
I only had one question for you, what is your iphone case?! I saw it on your previous video too and I do like it! If you could give me the brand that'd be very appreciated:)
Thanks mate!
Kilian Loger Thanks for the support. Yes, many notice my iPhone case. It's by a Japanese brand called Vintage Revival Productions. Here's the link: www.vrp-jp.com/
I want to meet your camera girl
oh man. no one cares about those other cameras. its all about the leica...get stuck into it.
Great ! thanks for your answer :0)
👍👍👍👍👍👍
you should invest in a tripod for your videos not some one whose hand holding the camera....
Hi how are you ? Just say thank you for show us this video .