Site preview 2nd
draft 08.09.2008
|
The standard LEICA MP comes with universal viewfinder
magnification of 0.72 x and offered two other alternatives with different configurations
on viewfinder magnifications. At later stage, only the 0.72X is retained as standard
whereas, the two others has been offered via Leica à la carte range, includes
a 0.58 x wide-angle version suitable for users wearing glasses and a 0.85 x telephoto
version. It is just like the Nikon F3HP 1980
which has pioneered the well-received High-Eyepoint concept, the viewfinder magnification
such as the 0.58 x wide-angle version suitable for users wearing glasses. The high
powered magnification mode with 0.85 x is more suitable to aid telephoto usage.
<<<--- Shown with a 0.58X magnification Leica MP model,
each (0.72X, 0.85X) will have a small magnification ratio at the front, bottom right
hand corner of the combioned range-viewfinder window.
|
|
Bright-line view- and rangefinder The LEICA MP’s
bright-line view- and rangefinder is not only a very high-quality, large, brilliant
and bright viewfinder, it is also a highly accurate rangefinder coupled to the lens.
The size of the bright-lines corresponds to an image size of 23 x 35mm (slide format)
at the shortest setting distance for each focal length. At longer distances, the
camera records more of the subject than can be seen within the brightline frames.
The bright-line frames are linked to the distance setting in such a way that parallax
- the misalignment between the lens and the viewfinder axes - is automatically compensated
and the image within the bright-line frames and the picture are identical over the
entire distance setting range from 0.7m to 8. Three LEICA MP modes are available,
with different versions of this viewfinder. They differ exclusively in their magnification:
If lenses with the focal lengths 28 (Elmarit from serial number 2411001), 35, 50,
75, 90 or 135mm are used with the LEICA MP with 0.72x viewfinder magnification, the
associated brightline frame automatically adjusts itself in the combinations 28+90mm,
35+135mm, 50+75mm. On the LEICA MP model with the stronger 0.85x viewfinder magnification,
five frames are activated for the focal lengths starting at 35mm (90mm, 35+135mm,
50+75mm). On the LEICA MP 0.58, five frames are activated for the focal lengths up
to 90mm (28+90mm, 35mm, 50+75mm). In the middle of the viewfinder image is the rectangular
distance metering image, which is brighter than the surrounding image field. All
lenses with focal lengths from 21 to 135mm connect with the range finder when used
on the LEICA MP. If the exposure meter is turned on, the exposure meter Note:
On the LEICA MP 0.85, the central area of the lower 50mm bright-line frame is
hidden by the display.
Image frame selector The image frame selector (20) expands the possibilities
of the LEICA MP viewfinder. This built in universal viewfinder allows you to activate
brightline frames at any time, which do not belong to the lens currently being used.
You can then see immediately if, for image composition reasons, it would be better
to photograph the relevant subject using a different focal length. If the lever is
pushed outwards, i.e. away from the lens, the image frames for the focal lengths
35 and 135mm appear (NOT the image
frame for 135mm focal length on the LEICA MP 0.58).
If the lever is moved to its vertical central position, the image frames for the
focal lengths 50 and 75mm appear. If the lever is pushed inwards, i.e. towards the
lens, the image frames for the focal lengths 28 and 90mm appear on the LEICA MP with
0.72x viewfinder magnification, and only the bright-line frames for 90mm focal length
on the model with 0.85x viewfinder magnification. - Extracted from MP Instruction
Manual -
Seen a Re-issued Leica MP Prototype w/Prototype Leicavit-M ?
Viewinder Magnification with corresponding
Brightline Frames for various Leica Lenses in gaphical display (Gif files): 0.58X | 0.72X | 0.85X |
Combined (50k Gif)
|
|
|
|
Distance metering Due to its large effective
metering basis, the rangefinder on the three LEICA MP models is very precise. The
benefits of this are particularly noticeable when using wide-angle lenses with their
relative deep depth of field. The higher magnification in the case of the 0.85 viewfinder
has the effect of providing an even large metering basis, further increasing the
accuracy as shown at the left table.
The rangefinder metering field is visible as a bright, sharply defined rectangle
in the center of the viewfinder. If you keep the large viewfinder window (14) closed,
only the activated bright-line frame and this metering field remain visible. The
focus can be set using either the superimposed image or split image method: Superimposed
image method (double image) In a portrait, for example, aim the metering field
at the eye and turn the distance setting ring on the lens until the contours in the
metering field are brought into line. Then choose the subject detail. Split image
method When taking photographs of architecture, for example, aim the range finder
metering field at the vertical edge or another clearly defined vertical line and
turn the distance setting ring on the lens until the contours of the edge or line
can be seen at the limits of the metering field with no misalignment. Then choose
the subject detail. In practice, there is often no clear distinction between the
two methods. The two criteria can be used to great effect in combination.
|
|
|
|
|
previous | NEXT |
A photo profile on LEICA MP 0.58x Silver Chrome
Model
LEICA MP-Specific
models/variants - Visual Profiles on selective Leica bodies:- Leica MP Prototype, 1955 | MP Betriebsk w/Electric Motor, 1956 | Leica MP-88/MP-150
Black paint, 1957 | Leica
MP-167; Leica MP-171/MP-313/old/new Leicavit visual, 1957
| Leica M3E1 / MP 271/288 Alfred
Eisenstaedt | Leica MP 367 & 368
Dual, 1957 | Leica
MP-375, MP-368 &
MP-386 | Leica
MP 'Edition Hermès', 2003
| Leica MP Betriebsk 0.72x | Evential production model MP 0.72x Black paint, 2002
| Leica MP classic
Kit Set 1 / Set 2 | Leica MP chrome 0.58X(2 parts) | Leica MP Black Lacquer 0.58x | Leica MP Black Lacquer 0.72x Standard | Leica MP 0.85x
Finder Mag. model | Leica MP Anthracite* Limited Edition Set |
Leica MP
LHSA 1968~2003 Special Edition Grey Hammertone
Finish (3 parts) | Brief
Introduction on Leica
à la carte:-
Leica MP Red Leather 0.85 / Nappa racing Green Leather 0.58X | Others:- Visual
case study on counterfeit LEICA MP ; Leica MP Prototype
w/Prototype Leicavit-M;
Leica MP-3 LHSA;
Leica MP
TITAN, 2007
| Leica MP Nomenclature | Leica MP Instruction manual (1MB PDF) |
Technical Specification (96k PDF)
|
Recommended resources
/ Reviews on Leica MP Models (External
Links): Popular Photography (4 parts) | Shutterbug (2 parts) | Stephan gandy/Cameraquest
on MP | Photonet;
Others:-How to load M6/MP w/Rapidwinder-M(Video); Comparing M3 with MP (Leica FAQ); Price indications: Westlicht
Auction House; Ebay Search on Leica MP
Visual Library on Leica M3 Prototype, 1952; Leica M3 Test model, 1953/4 | A photo showcase on early series
of Leica M3 DS bodies:- Leica M3-700131
/ M3-700170 / M3-700000/M3-70031x/M3-70051x | M3 double
stroke chrome 1954~1957 bodies:- Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/Part 4; Leica
M3 Single Stroke 1957~60/1961~66
| Leica M3 Black Paint:-1955/1958/1962~1964/66
/ Case
study on Prices | Leica M3 ELC, 1955/56
Other Leica M3 Variants:- Leica M3 chrome Leica-Technik 57
1954; Leica M3
GOLD Edition, 1956 | Leica M3 DS United Nation Edition, 1957 | Leica M3 Olive Bundeseigentum outfit 1957/ Olive Green Bundeseigentum outfit, 1959 (2 Parts) w/info on high quality M3 Olive Conversion | Leica M3 Betriebskamera/ Betriebsk 1960
| Leica M3 Royal
Dutch Marine Periscope Model,
1966 | Leica M3
Dummies / Riesen-Mode (Giant scale Model); Leica M3 Cutaway Display Unit , 1954
Recommended External Link:
Leica FAQ
| Leica M3 Instruction Manual 1) Location 1 (1.35mb PDF) by Joe Chan; Location 2 (1.2mb PDF) by M.Butkus < Mike@bukus.org>;
| Message Board | lenses | Message Board | RF cameras
Main Index Page
Leica-M Series Rangefinder camera Models
about this site
|