Leica MP of 2003

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Prototypes

 Jonathan Eastland, who was one of the early testers of prototype Leica MP of 2003 reported that he had been testing a prototype for "three months". The said prototype was "essentially a standard 1984 M6 design fitted with some furniture from the 1954 M3. The top plate is simply engraved in script with the word Leica, the model designation MP appearing next to the serial number . The camera does not have the red Leica badge on the front face. The prototype is in silver with a black vulcanite body covering similar to the original M3; serial production models will be available in black and silver chrome, but the vulcanite look seems to have been reserved for the special edition MP-6 produced a few weeks ahead of the MP for a Japanese dealer." (see Viewfinder, Volume 36, Issue 1, First quarter of 2003). 

Serial Production

Leica MP (of 2003, not to be confused with the original MP of 1956) was at The 2003 Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show in Las Vegas, held from March 2nd to 5th, 2003²⁴⁶. 

"MP" had been a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG since July 4, 2003⁵³⁴.

Catalogue Numbers

10301 - Leica MP 0.72 in silver chrome⁵³⁴.

10302 - Leica MP 0.72 in black paint⁵³⁴.

10303 - Leica MP 0.58 in silver chrome⁵³⁴.

10305 - Leica MP 0.85 in silver chrome⁵³⁴.

On the Outside

The camera was available in two finishes: black enamel and silver chrome²⁴⁶. The black paint finish of the camera was applied in-house at Solms using a state-of-the-art robot paint spraying booth²⁴⁶.

It featured the return of the all-metal film advance and rewind knob from the Leica M3/Leica M2²⁴⁶. The rewind lever and frame preview levers also adopted the design of the Leica M3 style²⁴⁶. The shutter speed dial returns to its classic shape and location and turned in the "right way round"²⁴⁶. For the first time in decades, the Leica script appeared on the top of a regular production M camera, accompanied by an engraved serial number²⁴⁶. The model designation removed from the front of the camera, and the red Leica logo was replaced with a screw from earlier Leica M models²⁴⁶. Additionally, the strap lug protectors were omitted²⁴⁶.

The leather-like body covering was updated to a more grippable PVC material that resembled the "sharkskin" covering of Leica IIIc model of the early 1950s²⁴⁶.

The removal of the TTL flash metering circuitry allowed the top plate of the camera to be lowered by 2.5mm²⁴⁶.

The covering on the back door of the camera did not match the body; it appeared duller and flatter²⁴⁹. Additionally, the external metal part of the back door looked like black chrome instead of matching the black paint on the rest of the camera²⁴⁹.

On the Inside

All optical components of the viewfinder were multi-coated²⁴⁶. The viewfinder windows were treated with a scratch-resistant coating, and the sides of the roof prism were coated black to minimize stray light²⁴⁶. An additional lens element was placed near the frame masks to enhance the illumination of the viewfinder frames and improve the contrast of the second image²⁴⁶. The shape and contour of the rangefinder mirror was  modified to better illuminate the viewfinder frames and reduce reflections that could cause whiteout²⁴⁶. Future production models of the Leica M7 incorporated these advancements, and for a fee, earlier models could have been retrofitted with these improvements²⁴⁶.

The camera's top was milled out above the viewfinder mechanism to virtually eliminate vertical displacement under heavy mechanical load²⁴⁶.

Leica offered 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.

A battery symbol indicated the battery status²⁴⁶. When the batteries were sufficiently charged, the symbol appeared, and exposure measurement was possible²⁴⁶. When the battery charge was low, only the battery symbol was displayed, with no metering indicators visible²⁴⁶. However, the Leica MP continued to function as a fully mechanical camera even without a battery, including flash operation²⁴⁶. Additionally, the meter electronics were updated to incorporate the state-of-the-art at the time circuitry²⁴⁶.

The improved linearity of the exposure meter ensured more accurate exposure measurements²⁴⁶. A flash processor allowed for digital adjustments to the meter program during production and service, even with the top plate mounted on the camera²⁴⁶. By eliminating the use of potentiometers, tighter meter tolerances could be maintained over a longer period²⁴⁶.

Film transport was steadier and smoother due to optimized shaping of the drive train gears²⁴⁶. Additionally, an improved choice of material for the friction wheel of the film spool enhanced stability and enabled smoother film transport and advancement²⁴⁶. The backplane of the shutter brake was made from a bronze alloy, which improved stability²⁴⁶. Furthermore, the saddle spring for brake friction was constructed from a material with higher wear resistance²⁴⁶. The second spring was now more elastic, allowing for better adjustability and long-lasting stability²⁴⁶.

The Leica MP featured the same six-line finder as the Leica M6, with clear and consistently visible framelines²⁴⁹.

In the new Leica MP, the gear train utilized stainless steel, hardened brass, and steel components²⁵⁰.

It featured a machined brass top and bottom plate, along with an upgraded meter that included a middle dot³⁴¹.

The Leica MP featured mechanically controlled cloth shutter³⁵⁷.

Accessories

For high-pressure situations, Leica provides an optional crank that could replace the relatively slow rewind knob²⁴⁸. Catalogue number was 14008 for rewinding crank in silver chrome and 14009 for rewinding crank in black paint⁵³⁴. This attachable rewind crank allowed for quicker film rewinding back into the cartridge³⁵⁷.

Leicavit was also available for the Leica MP of 2003³⁵⁷. 

Price

Introductory price was 2595 USD²⁴⁹.

Special Cameras

The Leica MP (2003) with serial number 2880563 was used in promotional materials and illustrated in Leica Fotografie International (2/2003).

The Leica MP (2003) with serial number 2922644 was owned and used by Elliott Erwitt³⁹⁹. The camera was sold for 31200 Euros including buyer's premium at the "100 years of Leica Camera" WestLicht Camera Auction on May 23, 2014³⁹⁹. The lot was described as "The original first press card from Elliott Erwitt from 1953, signed by Robert Capa and Elliott Erwitt. Included: black Leica MP no. 2922644 (2003) owned and used by Elliott Erwitt, engraved with his signature on back of top plate, with Summicron M 2/35 mm no. 2974350 (hood, strap). The set comes with a certificate of ownership by Elliott Erwitt."³⁹⁹. 

Special Editions of Leica MP of 2003

Leica MP Hammertone "LHSA 1968-2003" was introduced in 2003 in quantity of 595 or 1000 cameras with the following serial number ranges 2947201-2947800, 2984001-2984400, 3001001-3001595²⁵³,³¹⁴,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The 35th anniversary of the Society inspired a unique concept for a special edition camera featuring a rare hammertone finish; only ten Leica MD cameras with this style were produced for a special order in 1964²⁵³,³¹⁴,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. This limited edition included a retro-styled 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH lens designed to evoke the original eight-element Summicron in chrome finish on brass, as well as a hammertone Leicavit to complete the set²⁵³,³¹⁴,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. In total, one thousand units of this special edition were made²⁵³,³¹⁴,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The series was characterized by its grey hammertone finish, reminiscent of the grey M2 and MD cameras from the 1960s²⁵³,³¹⁴,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The camera featured a small special engraving on the back of the top plate, which included the LHSA logo and the year²⁵³,³¹⁴,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The set also offered a Summicron-M 35 ASPH lens and a Leicavit-M, both in hammertone finish²⁵³,³¹⁴,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷.

Aside from the delivery to the LHSA, this special edition was limited to 1,000 pieces available worldwide⁵⁰⁷. Priced at €3,600, the Leica MP was released to the global market in January 2004⁵⁰⁷. The Leicavit, which became available in February 2004, cost €1,000⁵⁰⁷. Additionally, the Summicron-M 35 ASPH lens went on sale starting in March 2004 for €2,000⁵⁰⁷.

Leica MP Edition Hermès was introduced in 2003 in quantity of 500 cameras²⁵⁵,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. This limited-edition silver chrome version of the Leica MP features a silver chrome 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH lens²⁵⁵,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The camera is elegantly covered in exclusive "Barenia" Hermès calf leather, which is also used for the matching camera strap²⁵⁵,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. It has a brass body cap finished in silver chrome, and the lens includes a brass focusing tab as well as front and rear caps, all in silver chrome²⁵⁵,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. Each camera and lens combination is individually engraved²⁵⁵,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The minimum advertised price is $8,500²⁵⁵,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. Additionally, this collaboration with the French brand Hermès offers a brown Barenia calfskin version of the camera, which features special numbering on the hot shoe²⁵⁵,³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷.

Leica MP6 was produced for a Japanese dealer in 2003²⁵⁰,³⁵⁷. Mechanically, it was based on the M6 Classic of 1984, with the exception of the light meter; some controls were taken from the M3²⁵⁰,³⁵⁷. The top and base cover were made of brass and painted black, featuring a coarse imitation leather embossing for the black leather cover²⁵⁰,³⁵⁷. A Leicavit-M was available to match the camera, and the serial numbers were in the format 'MP 6 -XXXXXXX'²⁵⁰,³⁵⁷.

Leica MP 50 Anniversary Leica M3 set was introduced in 2004 in quantity of 50 cameras³⁵⁵.

Leica MP Anthracite was introduced in 2004 for the Japanese market. The set included a Leica MP 0.72 and a matching Leicavit M, both featuring an anthracite-colored finish and special numbering engraved on them³⁵⁷. Additionally, a Summicron-M 35 f/2 ASPH in a satin chrome finish was offered with the set³⁵⁷.

Leica MP betriebsk was introduced in 2004 in quantity of 100 cameras³⁵⁵.

Leica MP Ralph Gibson Special Edition was introduced in 2004 in quantity of 50 cameras³⁵⁷. This MP was black chrome-plated, had burgundy vulcanite leather and a special engraving on the top plate with the signature of Ralph Gibson and the special numbering XX/50³⁵⁷. Another special feature was the missing mask selector lever³⁵⁷. The camera was delivered in a black box with a carrying strap³⁵⁷. 

Leica MP SGR "Classic" was introduced in 2004³⁵⁷. Commissioned by the Asian distributor Schmidt Marketing, Leica Camera AG released a special series of cameras 50 years after the launch of the Leica M, primarily aimed at the Chinese market³⁵⁷. This set included a black-painted camera and a black-painted Summicron-M 50 f/2 lens, which was based on the Summicron from 1954³⁵⁷. The camera did not contain any electronic components³⁵⁷. On the top plate, the engraving reads "Leica Camera AG Solms Germany," and there is a special numbering system, MP-XX, located on the flash shoe³⁵⁷.

Leica MP 60th Jubilee of Korean Independence was introduced in 2005 in quantity of 60 cameras to commemorate 60th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Korea³⁵⁷. 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 fighter³⁵⁷. There was also another engraving on the back of the top plate and a special numbering XX/60 on the camera and lens³⁵⁷.

Leica MP3 was introduced in 2005 in quantity of 1000 cameras³⁵⁷. This special edition combined the classic design of the earlier Leica MP with the updated inner workings of the new MP³⁵⁷. Inside the camera, beneath the base plate, there is a special engraving that reads "LHSA Special Edition."³⁵⁷ The edition consists of 500 black-painted models and 500 silver chrome-plated models³⁵⁷. Out of these, 375 were offered as complete sets, which included a camera, a Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. lens with a lens hood and metal cap, a Leicavit M, and a leather strap and bag³⁵⁷. The remaining models were available as individual items³⁵⁷.

Leica M3J was introduced in 2006 in quantity of 200 cameras. on the occasion of the opening of the first Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo³⁵⁷. This special series was released especially for the Japanese market³⁵⁷. The black painted MP was produced in the style of a Leica M3³⁵⁷. The camera was finished with the classic vulcanite leather³⁵⁷. 50 of the 200 units were delivered in a wooden box made of Japanese cedar³⁵⁷. 

Leica MP Titanium "Leica Store Ginza"  was introduced in 2006 or 2007 in quantity of 196 cameras with serial number ranging from 3122101-3122297³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The special series were release on the occasion of the first birthday of the Leica Store Ginza in Tokyo, and were commissioned for the Japanese market³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The camera body was made of titanium, with the special numbering on the hot shoe³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷. The camera was delivered in a box with special black cover paper and silver Leica embossing³⁵⁵,³⁵⁷.

Leica MP Gold "60 Years People's Republic of China" was introduced in 2009³⁵⁷. The set created to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China featured a gold-plated camera with a gold-plated Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH lens, presented in a wooden box³⁵⁷. The camera was wrapped in red leather, adorned with an intricate red engraving of the Tiananmen building on the top plate, and a quote from Mao Zedong with the years "1949-2009" on the back of the top plate³⁵⁷.

Leica MP "Republic of China Centennial" was introduced in 2012³⁵⁷. This special edition camera was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China³⁵⁷. It features a military gray finish, vulcanized leather, and special engravings that include the dates "1912-2012" and the plum blossom, which is Taiwan's national flower, in gold on the top plate and the back of the top plate³⁵⁷. Each camera has a unique serial number located on the accessory shoe³⁵⁷. The set comes with a matching Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH lens, all presented in an exclusive wooden box³⁵⁷. Additionally, the box includes an engraved metal plate featuring the same design as the camera and a certificate of authenticity³⁵⁷.

Leica MP Olive was introduced in 2014³⁵⁷. It was commissioned to mark the opening of the Leica Store in Kyoto³⁵⁷. The olive green camera was delivered with a silver anodized Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH. and bore a special numbering on the flash cover³⁵⁷. 

Leica MP "70th Anniversary Republic of Korea" was introduced in 2015. produced to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Korea's independence³⁵⁷. The set consisted of a black-painted camera and two black-painted lenses: Summilux-M 35 f/1.4 ASPH. and Noctilux-M 50 f/0.95 ASPH³⁵⁷. The special engraving "70th Independence Anniversary 1945-2015" was engraved on the top plate³⁵⁷.

Leica MP Meister Edition Berlin was introduced in 2017³⁵⁷. This camera was introduced to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the Leica Store Berlin³⁵⁷. The camera body with all the controls and the matching Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH. were treated with blue stain³⁵⁷. Instead of varnish, the blue stain was sealed twice³⁵⁷. In addition, the black numbers on the frame counter were engraved in red³⁵⁷. Black saddle leather was used for the leather covering³⁵⁷.

Leica MP Terry O'Neill was introduced in 2018³⁵⁷. This green painted special edition had a brown leather cover and an engraving with the signature of Terry O'Neill (in white)³⁵⁷. It was supplied with a silver chrome-plated Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH³⁵⁷. The set also included a limited edition print of Audrey Hepburn, signed by Terry O'Neill³⁵⁷. 

Leica MP Unique Gold was introduced in 2020 in quantity of 1 camera³⁵⁷. Serial number was 5630769³⁸³. A special gold-plated MP 0.72 with black ostrich leather cover was produced in cooperation between Leitz Photographica Auction and Leica Camera AG³⁵⁷. The camera body was supplied with a matching Elmar-M 50 f/2.8³⁵⁷. The serial number of this camera was not engraved on the top plate, but discreetly on the underside of the winding lever³⁵⁷. It was sold for 72000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 40th Leitz Photographica Auction³⁸³. The lot was described as "A unique analogue Leica MP with 0.72 finder, with all metal parts in galvanically gold-plated and with ostrich leather covering, the camera shows no engravings except for the serial number hidden on the underside of the winding lever, with special black Elmar-M 2.8/50mm no.3739015 with engravings filled with gold and red paint. The camera was made in only one example as cooperation between Leitz Photographica Auction and Leica AG. Included in this lot is a maker's box for the body (without serial number) and a certificate of authenticity. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to a non-profit organization in Austria and Germany for charitable purposes."³⁸³

Leica MP Leica Historica 1975-2020 was introduced in 2021³⁵⁷. The occasion for the special series was the 45th anniversary of Leica Historica e.V³⁵⁷. 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 ASPH³⁵⁷.

Leica MP "Leica Store Marina Bay Sands 10th Anniversary" was introduced on October 11, 2026 and was limited to 10 sets worldwide. The camera number 1 of 10 had a serial number of 6238999  .