Leica MDa

The Leica MD camera was succeeded by the Leica MDa, which was derived from the Leica M4³⁶⁰. Unlike its predecessors, the Leica MDa does not have a viewfinder or a rangefinder¹⁷. It features a rapid film loading system and an angled, cranked film rewind lever, both characteristics inherited from the Leica M4³⁶⁰. The Leica MDa was produced from 1966 (with serial number 1159001¹⁸) to 1977, after which it was discontinued in favor of the Leica MD-2³⁶⁰.

Special Variants

A few Leica MDa’s were produced for postal office use³⁵⁷:

Name	Year of production	Notes
Leica MDa "Post 24 × 36"	1967	rangefinder-less camera, used for taking meter readings. The cameras were equipped with a fixed lens
Leica MDa "Post camera 24 × 27"	1968	rangefinder-less camera, used for taking meter readings. The cameras were equipped with a fixed lens. Only half of the usual negative size was used for documentation.
Leica MDa "Post 24 × 36"	1969	rangefinder-less camera, used for taking meter readings. The cameras were equipped with a fixed lens.
Leica MDa "Post 24 × 27"	1969	rangefinder-less, used for taking meter readings. The cameras were equipped with a fixed lens. Only half of the usual negative size was used for documentation.
Leica MDa "Post 24 × 27"	1971	rangefinder-less camera, used for meter readings. The cameras were equipped with a fixed lens. Only half of the usual negative size was used for documentation.
Leica MDa "Post 24 × 36"	1971	rangefinder-less camera, used for taking meter readings. The cameras were equipped with a fixed lens.
Leica MDa "Post 24 × 27"	1972	rangefinder-less camera, used for taking meter readings.
Leica MDa "Flash Special"	1972	rangefinder-less cameras manufactured for the German Federal Post Office. This batch was intended for motorised operation