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Review Summary
2025-01-09T11:51:44
This is my first Leica and probably somewhere around my 20th film camera. I can safely say I'm done buying new film cameras unless I come into some serious money. Then, I might consider buying a few more Leicas. In all seriousness though, this truly must be the best 35mm film camera you can buy. There's no mirror to fail, get stuck, or cause vibration. There's no light meter so no battery to leak and corrode. The viewfinder is bright and beautiful at all times. I've added a Voigtlander VC Meter II and Voigtländer 50mm Heliar f/3.5 VM and I'm very happy with this setup. I see myself using this camera for as long as film is still manufactured.
Steven D.
2023-02-12T16:22:40
Best 100% analog camera ever made.
Victor M.
2022-07-20T22:36:56
Got my M-A about a year ago. I have shot about 80 rolls of joy and perfection. Built flawlessly and sturdy. Everything works like butter, so smooth. Bare minimum. Love it.
Ken S.
2016-06-09T18:46:06
I upgraded my M6 into this M-A. It's a great camera -- great build, great feel. But it seems that Leica is slipping on its quality control, my first new M-A had a huge crack on the bottom, its shutter was so tight that every time I pressed the shutter, I felt the shutter shock! I replaced that camera but now this new model has some minor rewind crank issue. Leica, you are disappointing even your most loyal fans!
FANCHAO Z.
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Leica M bayonet
Leica M lenses from 16-135mm focal length
Mechanical rangefinder
1.38" / 35mm
Manual: shutter speed on body only, aperture on attached lens
Hot shoe with center contact
With first curtain, up to 1/50 seconds
Focal plane: Mechanical rubber blanket slotted shutter with horizontal movement
1 to 1/1000 seconds in 1 EV increments, bulb
Bright line frame viewfinder with automatic parallax correction
Calibrated to -0.5 diopter
Horizontal and vertical offset between viewfinder and lens axis automatically compensated for according to relevant distance setting
At the shortest possible distance for each focal length, the bright line frame size corresponds to an image of approx. 23 x 35 mm. When set to infinity, depending on the focal length between 9% (28mm) and 23% (135mm) more is captured by the film than is shown in the corresponding bright line frame
0.72x
1.96" / 49.9mm (mechanical measurement basis of 2.72" / 69.25mm x viewfinder magnification of 0.72x)
Split or superimposed image rangefinder shown as bright field in the center of the viewfinder image
Manual film loading after opening the bottom cover and the rear panel
Forward: Manual winding with quick wind lever (compatible with optional motorized winders)
Rewind: Manually with pull-out rewind button, after moving the R lever on front of camera
1/4" / 6.35mm
5.4 x 1.5 x 3" / 137.16 x 38.1 x 76.2mm
1.3lbs / 0.59kg
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By Victor M.
Best 100% analog camera ever made.
Leica perfection
By Ken S.
Got my M-A about a year ago. I have shot about 80 rolls of joy and perfection. Built flawlessly and sturdy. Everything works like butter, so smooth. Bare minimum. Love it.
While embracing the timeless allure of analog photography, the Leica M-A (Typ 127) 35mm Film Rangefinder Camera stands as a testament to the art of photography in its purest form. This sophisticated and sleek camera is meticulously crafted to distill the photographic process to its fundamental elements, eschewing electronic components for a fully mechanical operation that connects the photographer directly to the craft.
The Leica M-A (Typ 127) is a marvel of precision engineering, boasting a high-magnification viewfinder with a 0.72x magnification factor, ensuring a bright and clear view of your subject. The integrated rangefinder mechanism offers exact focusing, which, when paired with the camera's robust all-metal body, provides a tactile and responsive experience that is both rugged and durable.
Pure Mechanical Operation is at the core of the Leica M-A's design philosophy. With no reliance on batteries, the camera harks back to the golden age of photography, where skill and a keen eye were all that stood between a good shot and a great one. The ISO dial on the back panel keeps you informed of your film speed, while the top-mounted shutter speed dial offers a range from a swift 1/1000 sec to a prolonged 1 sec, including a bulb setting for extended exposures. The built-in hot shoe with a center contact expands your creative possibilities, allowing for compatibility with a wide array of flash units.
Broad Lens Versatility is another hallmark of the Leica M-A (Typ 127). Compatible with the entire range of M-mount lenses, from wide-angle 16mm to telephoto 135mm, this camera adapts effortlessly to your vision. The automatic activation of image field frame lines upon lens attachment provides parallax-corrected and precise composition references. For those who like to plan ahead, manual selection of image field lines is available to visualize shots with different focal lengths.
Durability Meets Aesthetic Brilliance in the camera's construction. The black-colored chromed brass top and bottom covers not only add a stylish flair but also ensure the camera withstands the rigors of extensive use. This design ethos complements the Leica M-A's dedication to functional simplicity and intuitive operation, allowing photographers to focus on capturing life's fleeting moments with confidence in their equipment's resilience.
The Leica M-A (Typ 127) is more than just a camera; it is a celebration of the photographic art form, offering a wealth of mechanical options without the distractions of modern technology. Its compatibility with a broad spectrum of M-mount lenses and its robust yet elegant design make it the ideal instrument for photographers who cherish the tactile nuances and sophisticated operation of manual photography. Embark on a journey of creative discovery and experience photography in its most authentic and rewarding form with the Leica M-A (Typ 127).