Leica MP .72 35mm Rangefinder Manual Focus Camera Body - LHSA Edition (Grey Hammertone) – Customer Reviews

Leica created this special edition Leica MP for the Leica Historical Society's 35th Anniversary last year. It is part of a limited edition of 1,000 cameras for worldwide distribution only, with priority given of course to LHSA members. The camera has a grey hammertone finish, which is believed to be quite durable, perhaps more so than the black paint finish used in previous LHSA limited edition Leica rangefinder cameras, other Leica limited edition rangefinders, and the current production Leica MP and M7 (the latter available only via Leica's A La Carte program). The back of the camera is engraved with the LHSA logo, followed by "SPECIAL EDITION 1968-2003". If you buy the camera with a matching kit comprising both a lens and Leicavit winder, the back of the winder is also engraved like the back of the MP camera body. The lens is a chrome 1950's styled 35mm f2 ASPH Summicron fitted with a removable vented grey hammertone lens shade.

Photographic equipment dealers believe that this is a very desirable camera for photographers and collectors; not only do I agree but I also think that it is more beautiful than the Leica MP Hermes special edition camera. However, it isn't quite as handy as a custom-made Leica MP A La Carte camera with a M7 rewind crank and a M7 film advance lever with a plastic tip (Both have been standard on Leica M rangefinders from the M4 through the M7.). You would pay only a few hundred dollars more for a custom-made MP A La Carte with these features. So my own personal preference from a user's point of view is buying a custom-made MP, not the Leica MP LHSA Grey Hammertone special edition.

12/23/2004 12:00 AM | Rating: