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Introduction:- * à la carte,
popular term is a restaurant when ordering; it simply means Leica has a division to tailor / custom designed your wish camera in personal configuration, which includes
personalized signature on camera, choice of leatherette color, small configuration
on rewind crank style or film advance lever as well as viewfinder magnification type
i.e. 0.58X, 0.72X or 0.85X. The service may even
extend to the color choice of the camera case to match the camera color selection.
Leica claims there are close or more than to 4,000 combinations to personalize a
MP for individual, even with unusual request can be served. The service covers
LEICA M7 and MP range of bodies.
Extracted from a Leica marketing
Literature, it says " ...Fine
materials, forms and colors allied to a variety of variable components and functional
details open up almost unlimited scope for individual design - from a totally inconspicuous
professional camera to an extravagant eye catching version. This is only possible
with the expert individual handcrafting that only Leicas traditional manufacturing
can provide. For example, each type of leather with a different structure and density
is optimally adapted to the camera, split to a thickness of 0.8 mm and fitted to
the camera by hand. From the assembly of the individual components through to the
final quality inspection, every detail of the 1,300 components that make up every
MP is lovingly created to meet the customer's requirements à la carte. By people who love the Leica M as much as you do. ..".
So, this is why there are some LEICA MP seemingly
having some odd specifications being surfaced periodically during recent years. Getting
a personalized LEICA MP will , certainly not a cheap investment, disposing a LEICA
with MR. ABC can greatly reduced the appeal as a collectible. Basically, not everyone
is a DUNCAN nor Ansel Adam level of celebrity and even celebrity depends on who he/she
is, say if a non-photographer personality will only confine the collection value
only good for the fan club members. This is photographic collectibles and not a microphones
or underwear worn by sexy movie stars. I would think by law of filtration, those
who dare to order a custom LEICA MP, M7 would be pre-qualified within financially
affordable league and seldom had any idea of disposing the personal possession (if
one does, he is either broke, superstitious or whose estate doesn't even bother just
wanted some cash on sales - not because he is giving up personal photography by simply
letting go a personalized, signature collection. Anyway, the idea was an original
which I think justify to compliment LEICA innovative marketing concept. Anyway, it
takes a LEICA to make this possible, other Companies which had mass market in sight
wouldn't bother the sentimental element at all.
The LEICA MP à la carte
offers services to custom designed your LEICA
MP (or M7) with a few variations/choices. One of the most distinguished way to let
others to know you have a "special" Leica can be via the leatherette, exterior
body covering, in short, to make a LEICA looks "unusual" from a distance
and admired by others is probably best from this starting point. You can say partly
it sells on this "exclusiveness" physiological business concept
(but I am NOT implying to relate all MP à
la carte owners are having this kind of thinking). From the color scheme offered
for the supposedly matching colour camera cases listed below, you can identify a
few uncommon colour choices such as naturally tanned leather, box red calf, Nappa
racing green, Dark brown calf leather, "cognac", Nappa Bordeaux, Blue calf
leather, Ostrich look, chestnut - and even within the common black, you can find
options such as Lizard look black, Ostrich look, black etc.
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Personally, I think LEICA looks BEST in original black
vulcanite leatherette , not the smooth skinned leather outfit. It would
be better to alternate the colour choice using the base skin as vulcanite. Secondly,
black finishing Leica with matching vulcanite projects a more rugged look and feel,
other than adding a less offending, stealth property for photographers in photojournalism
or street photography - but definitely not one of those brilliantly eye-arresting
odd colors. However, black lacquered Leica are not entirely scratch resistance, I
read one of the phase LEICA used on their system brochure .."... And if the
black lacquer starts to reveal a glimpse of the plain brass at some of the corners
and edges after long use, the photographer knows that he has shared plenty of experiences
with his camera...". Errr .... I'd really like the interpretation of these but
to be fair, you still need not have to worry too much, inside the MP, you will have
brass for the top and base plate and a high-strength magnesium alloy for diecast
body chassis.
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The black lacquer exterior was having a layer of a modern artificial resin lacquer
with adhesion property. What it actually means is,despite how well is the camera
was being designed, owners care must also be taken into consideration, the paint
won't be able to last abusing state of use, not the camera itself. For silver chrome
LEICA, I would think it has a better scratch resistance, According to Leica, the
surface is initially copper plated, nickel plated and then given an extremely durable
fine matte shiny chrome finish. Besides, scratches usually hides better in a silver
chrome body than a black finishing. Actually, I have some reservation over the choice
of material on the MP leather - only time will tell if the new choice of materials
will deform or shows its properties. I remember back in those days, the 1988 pro-class
Nikon F4 which had a new
scientific breakthrough by using a bump-resistance rubber compound with industrial
resin coating for its exterior, most F4 had shown its flaw after 15 years. It turns
sticky. Well, I am not implying the LEICA newly used compound would face the same
issue, but it takes time to tell if the German has superior idea than the oriental
counterpart in this small area, that is all. Personally, my 1992 green leatherette
LEICA M6 COLOMBO and the Ostrich-skinned LEICA M6 Titanium was still very at their
original condition with the latter always hiding under my car seat in hot, humid
tropical weather. One way of another, mechanically I still feel German can make better
camera body than the Japanese.
To me, valuation of an à
la carte LEICA MP (or M7)
is lying in the heart of the original owner - subsequent owners only put a price
on how close it matches his personal aspiration in possessing an LEICA. |
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Ever ready case M à la carte in Leica à
la carte leather types, matching any individually produced M à la carte camera.
Secure protection for an MP or M7 with one of the following lenses : 21 mm f/2.8
without lens hood, 24 mm f/2.8 without lens hood, 28 mm f/2 with or without lens
hood, 35 mm f/1.4 without lens hood, 35 mm f/2 with or without lens hood, 50 mm f/2.8
extended, 50 mm f/1.4, 50 mm f/2, 90 mm f/4 retracted. Naturally tanned leather,
cognac Order no. 14 857, Nappa racing green Order no. 14 858, Box red
calf leather Order no. 14 859, Dark brown calf leather Order no. 14 860,
Lizard look, black Order no. 14 861, Ostrich look, black Order no. 14 862,
Ostrich look, chestnut Order no. 14 863, Nappa Bordeaux Order no. 14 864,
Blue calf leather Order no. 14 865
Ever ready case M with standard front holds a Leica M camera without LEICAMETER,
Motor M or Winder M and with one of the following lenses : 21 mm f/2.8 without lens
hood, 24 mm f/2.8 without lens hood, 28 mm f/2 without lens hood, 35 mm f/1.4 without
lens hood, 35 mm f/2 with or without lens hood, 50 mm f/2.8 extended, 50 mm f/1.4,
50 mm f/2, 90 mm f/4 retracted. Black Nappa calf leather Order no. 14 870
Ever ready case M with large front Also holds Leica M camera without LEICAMETER,
Motor M or Winder M and with one of the following lenses : 21 mm f/2.8 with or without
lens hood, 24 mm f/2.8 with or without lens hood, 28 mm f/2 with or without lens
hood, 35 mm f/1.4 with or without lens hood, 35 mm f/2 with or without lens hood,
50 mm f/2.8 extended, 50 mm f/1.4, 50 mm f/2, 75 mm f/1.4, 75 mm f/2, 283550 mm
f/4, 90 mm f/2, 90 mm f/2.8, 90 mm f/4 extended. Black Nappa calf leather Order
no. 14 871
Neoprene case M black, with practical hand strap. Can be used as an ever ready
case and as a base in emergencies. Reliably protects the camera and has practical
Velcro fasteners and two spaces for memory cards. With small front, holds a Leica
M camera with a lens up to 65 mm in diameter and 60 mm in length Order no. 14 867,
with large front, holds a Leica M camera with a lens up to 65 mm in diameter and
80 mm in length Order no. 14 868 Billingham combination case The most flexible
case for your Leica M equipment, it holds either two M cameras and two lenses or
one camera and three lenses. It provides easy and compact transportation for large
lenses or with a LEICAVIT-M or LEICA MOTOR-M fitted. A zipped compartment also provides
space for a LEICA SF 24D flash and for films and other accessories. Waterproof canvas.
Black Order no. 14 854, khaki Order no. 14 855
Ever ready case for M with LEICAVIT-M Holds a LEICA MP with rewind crank and
all other analog M cameras with a LEICAVIT-M fitted. Durable saddle leather Order
no. 14 856
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Camera carrying strap à la
carte in traditional narrow design in all Leica à la carte leather types,
matching individually produced Leica à la carte cameras : Black saddle leather
Order no. 14 453, Naturally tanned leather cognac Order no. 14 454,;
Nappa racing green Order no. 14 456, Box red calf leather Order no. 14
457, Dark brown calf leather Order no. 14 458, Lizard look, black Order
no. 14 465,; Ostrich look, black Order no. 14 466, Ostrich look chestnut
Order no. 14 467,; Nappa Bordeaux Order no. 14 468, Blue calf leather
Order no. 14 469; Wide camera carrying strap in black saddle leather. Wide
neck section provides optimum comfort when carrying, non-slip due to micro-velvet
on inside. Order no. 14 455
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So, how does one of these Leica MP à la carte
models looks like. As individual preference can be very different from one another,
below and the pages that might be uploaded are simply individual choice in custom
made to order outfit:-
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Leica MP "Leica à la carte" 0.85 Red leather 0.85x *
Shown is a Leica MP à la carte*
0.85 Red leather. It is indicated with 0.58 view finder, but it actually equips a
0.85 view finder. Only for display and demo, never been used on field and insert
a roll of film. Product ID: LM2983229; Serial Number: 2983229. Item(s) Included:
The camera, body cap and box. Suggestive Auction Price: USD3,500-00*
Further notes provided by Mr. Daniel from www.9days.HK® who put up
the camera via Ebay auction:- " ... The Red Leather MP shown here is a demo
"a-la-carte" MP camera which bought from an "a-la-carte" dealer.
Since the camera is a demo camera inside the deal shop, so it was never been insert
a film. Since the camera is just for demo beforehand, no one noticed the mismatch
of the wording "0.58" and the actual viewfinder. ... My opinion is the
mismatched viewfinder should be a mistake from Leica instead of modified by the owner...
since 0.58 is much easy to sell out instead of 0.85...". It carries many
similarities in its basic spec & doesn't it looks like one of those "Leica MP Betriebsk 0.72"
range of pre-launch/evaluation Leica MP camera bodies ?
* à la carte
, popular term is a restaurant
when ordering; it simply means Leica has a division to tailor / custom designed
your wish camera in
personal configuaration.
Viewinder Magnification with corresponding
Brightline Frames for various Leica Lenses in gaphical display (Gif files):
0.58X | 0.72X | 0.85X |
Combined (50k Gif)
* * NOTE;- Indicative price here in this site were based
original prices published on previous auction literature/references. Prices may vary
according to gradual yearly premium, supply/demand equations, and/or other renewed
valuation methods.
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Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Daniel from 9 days Photography Ltd. <www.9days.HK®>, Hong Kong. The Company also operates their own active, popular
EBAY STORE, trading for many major camera brands and collectibles from Leica,
Contax and Nikon etc. Image(s) Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please
respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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Credit: Image(s) courtesy of Mr. Daniel
from www.9days.HK®,
Hong Kong. The Company also operates their own active, popular EBAY STORE, trading for many major camera brands and
collectibles from Leica, Contax and Nikon etc. Image(s) Copyright © 2008. All
rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
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| NEXT |
A series of photos of another
LEICA MP à la carte body in Nappa Racing Green configuration
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)
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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>;
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