[Metal] The simplicity of this camera is such a relief. I no longer have worries of the software being outdated in five years. I have something that I can leave behind for my kids and know that it will work. The ease of use and back to basics don't even need to be mentioned, or maybe they do. I have no regrets about this purchase, but I did with the M240. I'm no longer a slave to technology.

[0.001 lb] The TL2's sleek lines restored with this little piece of Leica engineering. I couldn't bring myself to put a generic plastic cover on my camera, this camera deserve a genuine part.

[0.001 lb] I am returning to film photography after a stint with some great digital cameras like Nikon D810, Sony A7R II, and Fujifilm X-Pro 2. As it stands now, I sold all those cameras and my Leica M-A is still with me and going strong. Don't get me wrong, all those digital cameras take great pictures, but I always feel like something is missing from the experience. Shooting the M-A is as much about the result as it is about your picture taking experience. In that sense, the Leica M-A is superb. It reduces photography to its bare essentials, and by doing so, photography feels like an intimate conversation with one's own creativity or vision. If I could read this very review just a year ago, I would probably laugh at myself! Now, it's all too late for me. Save yourself and look elsewhere if you can. If not, you might embark on a lifelong love affair with Leica.

[Metal] I do not own an M-A, but had the use of one during a Leica Akademie film workshop and am now saving my pennies. The M-A takes the best of all previous meter less Leica M cameras and combines it all in one, brand-new body. There are some who may prefer the crank film rewind from the M4, M6 and M7 or wish for the return of the self-timer, but those are minor niggles. The M-A brings back the level of build quality that we had in the M3 through M5, but in a simpler form. My regular film camera is a Leica M5 and I will admit that I like having a meter, but there is something about brand-new, and the M-A really does look and feel just a smidge better than metered MP. I think its the metal instead of plastic disc at the back for ISO, which on the M-A is just a reminder unlike the actual (plastic) control on the MP. Simply put, there is nothing better on the market today.

[Silver] I started shooting in the beginning of the summer with a Leica M-D ( no LCD ) and found it incredible how much more I used visualization to frame shots. But my hands grew hungry for some kind of mechanical involvement other than turning the camera on or sliding in a memory card. So I switched to film and challenged myself to learn the sunny 16 rule for metering. Now I take quick shots because I've already metered, in my head, and pre-focused using the rangefinder. Simply put--this camera puts all these processes back into photographer's hands! Viva la Revolucin!

[Metal] Why Leica M-A when we have the M3, M2, M6, MP... It is more a philosophical discussion and less a technical one. I am sure there is no possible technical way you can justify creating a new Leica M unless you would dilute the lineage by introducing frivolous digital-type technology. For the film Leica M purist Leica M-A is a completely new camera that is fully mechanical and does not have a meter and needs no batteries - hence it is closer to the M3/M2 in lineage. In my opinion even though it is not different than an MP, if you have, like me, shot used Leicas in the past, this gives you an opportunity to shoot with a brand new M body. Every thing is buttery smooth and it feels like a new M camera - which is an experience probably my dad had when he got his Leica M 35 years back and I never had. That may not mean much in terms of imaging quality as I am sure you can get same images from any of the Leica M bodies with good glass. But considering the big picture it shows that Leica is committed to the film fraternity and is investing in this space. I have the Leica M2, M3 and an M6 and I still got the M-A because it just felt like a modern take on every possible good thing from past Leicas (Like the deviation from the plastic ISO dial at the back to a metal one - small detail but makes the camera look and feel so much better). If we read regular blogger reviews that delve in the technical mumbo jumbo of camera bodies, surely you will come away feeling underwhelmed. I love the pull-up grater style film rewind and some people just hate it. So most of your decision will be based on what you feel the M-A is worth. Technically it is not a better camera than MP or an M3 or even and M2. The Leica M-A has that Je Ne Sais Quoi as the french say - something pleasant but hard to describe. I would recommend going to a Leica store and holding this beauty in your hands - It looks and feels much better in person.

[Silver] My first Leica was an M2, with a 50mm Summicron. This was 1962, and got me addicted to photography. After a lot of digital cameras, of so many types and varieties, I'm going back. Tri-X, scanned, we shall see Of course digital is easier, but like the simplicity and lack of choice of the taking.

[Silver] My first Leica was an M2, with a 50mm Summicron. This was 1962, and got me addicted to photography. After a lot of digital cameras, of so many types and varieties, I'm going back. Tri-X, scanned, we shall see Of course digital is easier, but like the simplicity and lack of choice of the taking.

[Metal] I own an M3 and M6. I recently bought the M-A. I love all three Leica cameras. The M-A is completely mechanical. It's essentially a modern M3. It's a beautiful camera that takes great photographs. Mine is black chrome. I love street photography. With a black lens, it's essentially stealth.

[Silver] If you are equipped with sufficient knowledge to take picture without a lightmeter... and if you have unlimited supply of the Tri-X, this camera will probably last for dozens of years.
By the way, it must be a black-colored instead of silver one.