Leica MP2
The Leica MP2 was produced in 1958 and 1959439, with 27 units in total357. It was highly unlikely that all examples have survived, as some were probably dismantled for testing360. The small production run suggested that the Leica MP2 was created to test the market360.
The Leica MP2 was a modified version of the Leica M2, and featured parallax-corrected frame lines for 35mm, 50mm, and 90mm focal lengths360. Despite its name, the Leica MP2 was not a modified original Leica MP of 1956360.
The motor used in the Leica MP2 model was manufactured by Wetzlar and differed from the motor used in the Leica M2-M model571. In this design, the drive shaft was connected to the intermediate gear shaft of the shutter winding section instead of the film winding spool shaft, similar to the winders found in Leica M cameras from the late 1980s571. The Leica MP2 retained many features from the Leica M3 electric motor but in a more refined form360. In addition to electrical and mechanical modifications to the motor, the brass intermediate gear was replaced with a hardened steel one360.
Another notable difference between the Leica MP2 motor and the Leica M3 motor was that the Leica MP2 included a built-in power pack while maintaining the same motor coupling position, that used the same type of intermediate wheel in the shutter winding device360. The motor release mechanism was activated through the regular shutter release, and there was a locking ring for continuous shooting360. Unlike other models, the frame counter was located at the back of the motor and not on the bottom360. The battery pack was secured to the base of the motor and provided a solid grip for the hand360. Additionally, a smaller battery pack was available for use360.
The film advanced at a rate of 3 frames per second571. The motor unit featured a frame counter on the back, a socket for remote control, and a socket for power571. Power was supplied by a 12V battery, which could either be stored in the cylindrical grip handle (designed for left-handed use) or kept in a shoulder bag571.
Most Leica MP2 cameras observed by the author of this website feature knurling on the "screw" located concentrically around the shutter release button, which secured the winding lever. The purpose of this knurling is still unknown.
The following serial numbers were known to the author of this website:
- 935501-935506 - the 6 cameras in this first part of first batch were all originally finished in chrome, according to the "The Leica MP - Jo Geier" article. These were made in 1958534.
- 935507-935512 - the 6 cameras in this second part of first batch originally were all finished in black paint406. These were made in 1958534.
- 952001-952015 - second batch of 15 cameras, all originally finished in chrome405. These were made in 1959534.
Less than 10 of 21 chrome cameras were known to exist with the original electric motor405.
Prototypes
Before producing a small series of 27 Leica MP2 cameras, Leitz Wetzlar conducted tests with an electric motor drive for the M-series cameras in 1956417. Read more about them in the "The Prototype Electric Motor for the Leica M3" section of Leica M3 page.
Some Known Examples
Camera number 935501 was illustrated on page 212 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540.
Camera number 935502 was donated to the Japan Camera Museum (JCII / 日本カメラ博物館) sometime before March 25, 2004590. The camera was illustrated on page 88 of Camera Review No. 71 (Leica-Book '04)590.
Camera number 935504, dated 1959, was sold for 300000 Euros at the OstLicht Camera Auction in Spring 2024.
Camera number 935505 was illustrated in the July-September, 1981, Viewfinder magazine Volume 14, Number 3. It was also illustrated on page 209 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540.
Camera number 935507 was sold for 1020000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 34th Leitz Photographica Auction on the 8th of June, 2019389. In July of 2026, this camera was displayed in Yodobashi Fujisawa Camera Museum in Tokyo, Japan.
Camera number 935508 was featured in 2013 advertisement for Leica Store Wetzlar Altstadt - Lars Netopil Classic Cameras store on page 96 of 6/2013 Leica Fotografie Magazine.
Camera number 935509 was sold for 1560000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 44th Leitz Photographica Auction on the 8th of June, 2024379.
Camera number 935510, dated 1958, was sold for 402000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 18th WestLicht Camera Auction on December 4, 2010406. The lot was described as "the MP-2 was the first experimental M cameras with electric motor drive built in the late 1950's,...This camera, just re-discovered and never been offered for sale before...with matching black Wetzlar electric motordrive and power source handle ...The original owner of the camera was Wilhelm Schack. He was a photographer who did his apprentice at the Leitz factory in Wetzlar...Just before his tragic death, the Leitz factory sponsored him this black paint MP2 camera."406.
Camera number 935511 was illustrated in the July-September, 1981, Viewfinder magazine Volume 14, Number 3. It was also illustrated on page 210 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540. The camera was part of Kenjiro Nakamura's collection in 1995 and was exhibited at the "History and Development of Imaging" exhibition at the Memorial Museum of the Machine Industry in the same year569. The photograph of the camera was featured on the pages of Camera Review No. 37 (Leica-Book '96), published by Asahi Sonorama (Tokyo) in 1996569.
Camera number 935512 was referenced on page 210 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540.
Camera number 952001 was part of Leica Archives in 2014.
Camera number 952002 was illustrated on the page 168 of Paul-Henry van Hasbroeck's " The Leica: A History Illustrating every Model and Accessory" book360 .
Top plate of camera number 952003 was illustrated on page 212 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540. According to James L. Lager, the camera was converted to black finish on a special request540. This black paint camera and the chrome top plate were illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014594. The author of this website came to possession for the photograph of the original chrome baseplate of this camera.
Camera number 952004 was auctioned off at the OstLicht Auctions on June 5, 2024.
Camera number 952005, dated 1959534, was illustrated in the July-September, 1981, Viewfinder magazine Volume 14, Number 3. It was also illustrated on page 209 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540. This camera was auctioned off Christie's on September 23, 2000 and October 18, 2000. It was illustrated on the page 107 of Dennis Laney's "Leica Collector's Guide" (2nd edition) book534.
Camera number 952007 was illustrated on page 210 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540. This camera was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014594.
Camera number 952008 was illustrated in Mr. Lars Netopil's "Rare Leica" book in 2014594.
Camera number 952009, dated 1958, was sold for 528000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 19th WestLicht Camera Auction on May 28, 2011405.
Camera number 952010 was part of Kenjiro Nakamura's collection in 1995 and was exhibited at the "History and Development of Imaging" exhibition at the Memorial Museum of the Machine Industry in the same year569. The photograph of the camera was featured on the pages of Camera Review No. 37 (Leica-Book '96), published by Asahi Sonorama (Tokyo) in 1996569.
Camera number 952012, dated 1958, was illustrated on page 210 of James L. Lager's "Leica: An Illustrated History - Volume 1 - Cameras - Signed Deluxe Limited Edition" book540. It later was sold for 432000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 32nd WestLicht Camera Auction on March 10, 2018391. The lot was described as "...ex Jim Jannard collection.."391.
Camera number 952014 was sold for 180000 Euros including buyer's premium at the 38th Leitz Photographica Auction on June 12, 2021385. The lot had the following description: "...with matching chrome Wetzlar electric motor drive and very rare leather case for the battery pack (including connecting cord, but no battery pack)"385.
An interesting camera, engraved 9520XX was auctioned off on June 18, 2016 at LP Foto Auktioner with the following description: "Leitz Wetzlar, 1959, chrome, button rewind, from an original series 952001-952015, cap. A very rare and expensive camera, only 15 copies made, in original condition with correct type of motor coupling, but unfortunately part of the serial number missing, hence the low estimate and reserve.". This camera did not feature knurling on the "screw" located concentrically around the shutter release button, which secured the winding lever, that most Leica MP2 cameras had.