Leica MP .72 35mm Rangefinder Manual Focus Camera Body - Black USA

Comments about Leica MP .72 Black Body:

I thought long and hard before selling my digital SLR pro camera. But that's what I did, I sold it all and bought a no bells and whistles 35mm film camera. But just not any 35mm film camera, I bought a Leica MP. I'm a senior, and I got to the place where it was too much effort to deal with the size and weight of the new SLR cameras, I truly don't need all the bells and whistles to take good pictures. And that's all I want to do, just take good pictures. So I made the move and I love my Leica MP. It will be my "never sell" camera. Someday it may go to my granddaughter. I can now pack everything I need in a small camera bag and carry only about 3-4 pounds, what a difference. I'm having a lot of fun with this new setup. I don't go around shooting everything that moves, and spend hours in front of the computer manipulating photos through three or four photo editing programs dissecting pixels. Instead, I find myself spending more time enjoying the basics of the art. Also I'm less tense and more relaxed and enjoyed the whole process much more. I currently shoot mostly black and white, and am thinking about processing my own film. My film is processed at a local drugstore for $2.34 a roll and then I scan it into my computer as a digital file using my new Epson V7 50 Pro scanner[...] Now I understand that the new SLR cameras are different cameras for different purposes, and I'm not knocking them. They are truly awesome. But for me they're trying to be everything to everybody with a movie camera thrown in. So they have to make them bigger and bigger to accommodate all the bells and whistles. I think my new Leica MP will make me a better photographer and I am pleased that I made the move. One last thing, I thought about buying a used Leica MP but decided that since I'm going to keep it for the rest of my life, I'll just bite the bullet and buy a new one. Sure glad that I did, my MP is truly a work of art, and I love it. Don't believe it when they tell you film is dead. I'm not the only one making the move. That's my two cents.

Comments about Leica MP .72 Black Body:

Now that I've been shooting with my Leica M9 and Leica M8.2 Digital Camera Bodies, I have developed an interest in trying film. This Leica MP, fits my needs and interests completely in this regard. My Leica MP, is very well constructed, and it's a camera I intend to use for the rest of my life. Another benefit to me is that I will develop and scan my own film at home; and, as a result, I am learning so much more and developing a greater appreciation for photography than I would have from use of my digital cameras alone. With such reasonable costs and high quality of today's scanners that are available for home use, and film processing kits such as the "Tetenal, C-41 Press Kit" (also, available from B&H Photo), just about anyone should be able to shoot/develop/scan their own film, and subsquently handle the images similarly as one would do with images from ones digital cameras.

Comments about Leica MP .72 Black Body:

At a time when all remaining camera manufacturers, including Leica, are concentrating on competing in the digital world, it is refreshing to pick up and make photos with the Leica MP. Although it shares many features with its sister, the M7, the "optimized" internal parts contribute to a noticeably smoother film transport, while the lack of AE also means the shutter has a shorter throw and seems even quieter than the M7. The knurled film rewind knob works great and also holds its position if you let go during rewinding. Careful use of the in-camera meter yields AE-like results (minus the stepless shutter). Better yet, concentrate on evaluating the light first, and then confirming with a hand held incident meter.

There really are no negative features. The camera feels and is solidly built. It feels like a serious, well-built tool; one that you quickly feel in tune with and that challenges you to bring more to your photography, in keeping with the excellence of the camera.