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Leica MP of 2003


  • The Camera was Introduced in 2003 at the PMA show in Las Vegas246.
  • The camera is available in two color options: black enamel and silver chrome. It features the return of the all-metal film advance and rewind knob from the M3/M2. The rewind lever and frame preview levers also adopt the design of the M3 style. The shutter speed dial returns to its classic shape and location and now turns in the "right way round"246.
  • For the first time in decades, the Leica script appears on the top of a regular production M camera, accompanied by an engraved serial number. The model designation has been removed from the front of the camera, and the red Leica logo has been replaced with a cap screw from earlier Leica M models. Additionally, the strap lug protectors have been omitted246.
  • The leather-like body covering has been updated to a more grippable PVC material that resembles the "sharkskin" covering of the early 1950s IIIc model246.
  • The black paint finish of the camera is now applied in-house at Solms using a state-of-the-art robot paint spraying booth246.
  • Enhancements have been made to the viewfinder, shutter, film transport, rewind, and electronics. Some of these upgrades can be felt in the smooth operation of the film transport, the quieter shutter mechanism, and the more responsive shutter release246.
  • All optical components of the viewfinder are now multi-coated. The viewfinder windows have been treated with a new scratch-resistant coating, and the sides of the roof prism are coated black to minimize stray light. An additional lens element has been placed near the frame masks to enhance the illumination of the viewfinder frames and improve the contrast of the second image. The shape and contour of the rangefinder mirror have been modified to better illuminate the viewfinder frames and reduce reflections that can cause whiteout246.
  • Future production models of the M7 will incorporate these advancements, and for a fee, earlier models can be retrofitted with these improvements. The camera's top has been milled out above the viewfinder mechanism to virtually eliminate vertical displacement under heavy mechanical load246.
  • A battery symbol indicates the battery status. When the batteries are sufficiently charged, the symbol appears, and exposure measurement is possible. When the battery charge is low, only the battery symbol is displayed, with no metering indicators visible. However, the MP continues to function as a fully mechanical camera even without a battery, including flash operation. The removal of the TTL flash metering circuitry has allowed the top plate of the camera to be lowered by 2.5 mm. Additionally, the meter electronics have been updated to incorporate the latest state-of-the-art circuitry246.
  • The improved linearity of the exposure meter ensures more accurate exposure measurements. A flash processor allows for digital adjustments to the meter program during production and service, even with the top plate mounted on the camera. By eliminating the use of potentiometers, tighter meter tolerances can be maintained over a longer period246.
  • Film transport is now steadier and smoother due to optimized shaping of the drive train gears. Additionally, an improved choice of material for the friction wheel of the film spool enhances stability and enables smoother film transport and advancement. The backplane of the shutter brake is now made from a bronze alloy, which improves stability. Furthermore, the saddle spring for brake friction is constructed from a material with higher wear resistance. The second spring is now more elastic, allowing for better adjustability and long-lasting stability246.
  • For high-pressure situations, Leica provides an optional crank that can replace the rewind knob248.
  • The covering on the back door of the camera does not match the body; it appears duller and flatter. Additionally, the external metal part of the back door looks like black chrome instead of matching the black paint on the rest of the camera249.
  • Introductory price of 2595 USD249.
  • Leica will offer magnifications of 0.58, 0.72, and 0.85 in silver chrome versions, while initially only offering the 0.72 magnification in the black paint version249.
  • The MP features the same six-line finder as the M6, with clear and consistently visible framelines249.
  • In the new MP, the gear train utilizes stainless steel, hardened brass, and steel components250.
  • It features a machined brass top and bottom plate, along with an upgraded meter that includes a middle dot341.
  • While the digital Leica M was on the horizon, the Wetzlar-based company introduced another analogue rangefinder camera, the Leica MP. This camera was designed to be as robust and durable as possible, ensuring it could serve as a photographer's lifelong companion. To achieve this longevity, the design also considered feedback from Leica customer service, which indicated that the straight rewind knob of the Leica M3 was sturdier than the angled crank of the M4 and its successors357.
  • The Leica MP features a mechanically controlled cloth shutter, with the battery solely powering the light meter. Additionally, all glass surfaces in the rangefinder, not just the outer one, are now coated, making it less susceptible to stray light. This updated rangefinder was later incorporated into the Leica M7 and all subsequent models357
  • Interestingly, the name Leica MP had been previously used for a 1956 version of the M3, which was compatible with the Leicavit—a manual aid designed for faster shutter winding and film transport. A Leicavit is also available for the modern Leica MP, significantly speeding up the camera's operation. An attachable rewind crank is also offered, allowing for quicker film rewinding back into the cartridge.357

Special Editions of Leica MP of 2003:

 

Model Name References Year Quantity Serial Numbers Notes
MP of 2003 Hammertone "LHSA 1968- 2003" 253, 314, 355, 357 2003 595 or 1000 3001001-3001595 35th anniversary of the Society, which called for a unique concept for a special edition. Hammertone finish. The Hammertone finish is exceptionally rare, as only ten special Leica MD cameras were produced in this style for a special order in 1964...In addition to the camera, the limited edition included a retro-styled 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH lens, designed to resemble the original eight-element Summicron in a chrome finish on brass. A Hammertone Leicavit completed the set. In total, one thousand units of this special edition were made..........Leica Camera AG released this special series on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of LHSA. It was characterised by the grey hammertone finish - a reminiscence of the grey M2 and MD cameras from the 1960s. Matching the camera, which had a small special engraving (LHSA logo and year) on the back of the top plate, a Summicron-M 35 ASPH. with hammertone finish top plates and a Leicavit-M, also in hammertone finish, were offered. 
MP of 2003 Edition Hermès 255, 355, 357 2003 500 2921345(unconfirmed) - (unconfirmed) This limited-edition silver chrome version of the Leica MP includes a silver chrome 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH lens. The camera is covered in exclusive "Barenia" Hermès calf leather, which is also used to make the camera strap. It features a brass body cap finished in silver chrome. The lens includes a brass focusing tab and front and rear caps, all in a silver chrome finish. Eachcamera and lens combination is individually engraved. The minimum advertised price is 8500.00 USD. .... created in collaboration with the French brand Hermès. The silver chrome-plated camera was available in a brown Barenia calf. skin version from Hermès with special numbering on the hot shoe. The cameras were supplied with a matching Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. and a carrying strap also made of Barenia leather. 
MP of 2003 MP-6 250, 357 2003

produced for a Japanese dealer… produced in 2003….. Mechanically, it was based on the M6 Classic of 1984, with the exception of the light meter, although some of the controls were taken from the M3. The top and base cover were made of brass and painted black. The black leather cover had a coarse imitation leather emboss-ing. There was a Leicavit-M to match the camera. The serial numbers were in the form 'MP 6-XXXXXXX'. …
MP of 2003 35 year LHSA Grey Hammertone 355 2004 600 2947201-2947800
MP of 2003 35 year LHSA Grey Hammertone 355 2004 400 2984001-2984400
MP of 2003 50 Anniversary Leica M3 set 355 2004 50

MP of 2003 Anthracite 357 2004

produced especially for the Japanese market. The set consisted of a Leica MP 0.72, which was given an anthracite-coloured finish for the first time, and a matching Leicavit M, also in anthracite. Both had special numbering engraved on them. A Summicron-M 35 4/2 ASPH. in a satin chrome finish was offered with it. 
MP of 2003 betriebsk 355 2004 100

MP of 2003 Ralph Gibson Special Edition 357 2004 50
MP la carte black chrome-plated, had burgundy vulcanite leather and a special engraving on the top plate with the sig. nature of Ralph Gibson and the special numbering XX/50. Another special feature was the missing mask selector lever. The camera was delivered in a black box with a carrying strap. 
MP of 2003 SGR "Classic"  357 2004

commissioned by the Asian distributor Schmidt Marketing, Leica Camera AG released this special series 50 years after the launch of the Leica M. It was primarily intended for the Chinese market. The set consisted of a black-painted camera and a black-painted Summicron-M 50 f/2, which was based on the Summicron from 1954. The camera did not have any electronic parts. The lettering "Leica Camera AG Solms Germany" was engraved on the top plate, as well as a special numbering MP-XX (on the flash shoe)
MP of 2003 60th Jubilee of Korean Independence 357 2005 60
60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Korea. Both the black chrome-plated camera and the Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH. were engraved with the handprint of An Jung-geun, a Korean independence fighter. There was also another engraving on the back of the top plate and a special numbering XX/60 on the camera and lens
MP of 2003 LHSA Special Edition MP3 357 2005 1000
this special edition combined the classic design of the earlier Leica MP with the inner workings of the new MP. A special engraving "LHSA Special Edition" could be found inside the camera after the base plate had been removed. The edition comprised 500 black painted and 500 silver chrome-plated models. Of these, 375 were offered as sets, consisting of a camera, a Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. with lens hood and metal cap, a Leicavit M, and a leather strap and bag. The rest of the edition was available as individual items. 
MP of 2003 M3J 357 2006 200
on the occasion of the opening of the first Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo, this special series was released especially for the Japanese market. The black painted MP was produced in the style of a Leica M3. The camera was finished with the classic vulcanite leather. 50 of the 200 units were delivered in a wooden box made of Japanese cedar. 
MP of 2003 Titanium "Leica Store Ginza"  355, 357 2006 or 2007 196 3122101-3122297 on the occasion of the first birthday of the Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo, this special series was commissioned for the Japanese market. The camera body was made of titanium, with the special numbering on the hot shoe. The camera was delivered in a box with special black cover paper and silver Leica embossing
MP of 2003 Gold "60 Years P.R.C."  357 2009

the set produced on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China consisted of a gold-plated camera with a gold-plated Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH., which was delivered in a wooden box. The camera was covered in red leather, with an elaborate red engraving of the Tianamen building on the top plate and another engraving of a quote from Mao Zedong and the years "1949-2009" on the back of the top plate
MP of 2003 60th anniversary People’s republic of China 355 2010

gold with 50mm f/1.4 Summilux 
MP of 2003 "Republic of China Centennial" 357 2012

this special edition was issued on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China. The camera had a military grey finish, vulcan leather and special engraving in the form of script, the dates "1912-2012", and the plum blossom, Taiwan's national flower (gold-coloured), on the top plate and on the back of the top plate. Each camera also had a special serial number on the accessory shoe. The set was delivered with a matching Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH. in an exclusive wooden box, provided with an engraved metal plate (same engraving as on the camera) and a certificate of authenticity. 
MP of 2003 Olive 357 2014

was commissioned to mark the opening of the Leica Store in Kyoto. The olive green camera was delivered with a silver anodised Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH. and bore a special numbering on the flash cover. 
MP of 2003 "70th Anniversary Republic of Korea"  357 2015

produced to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Korea's independence. The set consisted of a black-painted camera and two black-painted lenses: Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH. and Notilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH. The special engraving "70th Independence Anniversary 1945-2015" was engraved on the top plate. 
MP of 2003 Meister Edition Berlin 357 2017

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Leica Store Berlin. The camera body with all the controls and the matching Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. were treated with blue stain. Instead of varnish, the blue stain was sealed twice. In addition, the black numbers on the frame counter were engraved in red. Black saddle leather was used for the leather covering. 
MP of 2003 Terry O'Neill 357 2018

this green painted special edition had a brown leather cover and an engraving with the signature of Terry O'Neill (in white). It was supplied with a silver chrome-plated Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. The set also included a limited edition print of Audrey Hepburn, signed by Terry O'Neill. 
MP of 2003 Unique Gold 357 2020 1
a special gold-plated MP 0.72 with black ostrich leather cover was produced in cooperation between Leitz Photographica Auction and Leica Camera AG. The camera body was supplied with a matching Elmar-M 50 f/2.8. The serial number of this camera was not engraved on the top plate, but discreetly on the underside of the winding lever. 
MP of 2003 Leica Historica 1975-2020 357 2021

the occasion for the special series was the 45th anniversary of Leica Historica e. V. The silver chrome-plated camera with engraved special numbering was adorned with blue Santorini leather and was delivered in a set with an à la carte carrying strap and an APO-Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH.